Do I really need to tell TV license people that I'm not watching TV?

homeless9

Hi,

Moved into my new house. I don't watch TV right now, but will do when this coronavirus clears and I know sport is unlikely to be cancelled...

Got a letter for the TV license people asking if I watch TV and if not they want me to tell them.

Why do they need me to tell them I don't watch TV. If I am not offering up payment it means I do not watch TV. Why do they need to hassle me to go online and tell them I do not watch the television?

I don't understand the point. Is it worth me telling them or are they only requesting this information so they can use it against me when I accidentally click on some iplayer link and end up playing a programme for 5 seconds. Then I can't act ignorant as I have told them I am not watching so obviously know the rules.

Has anyone ever had problems with the tv licensing people? have they ever gone after people for something like simply trying to tune their TV and giving up?

I tried tuning my TV in and the signal is terrible so this is partly why I haven't bothered with a tv license yet. The TV is unwatchable as it won't tune in any channels.

.....or am I just being paranoid?

Is it best to just tell them I am not watching TV, or just ignore the letter and not bother telling them?

timmy963

You don't have to tell them a thing, but be prepared to get harassed whether you do or don't. They will probably want to confirm you are telling the truth by sending a goon around to check your equipment can't receive a live signal when they turn it on.

Guilty until proven innocent...

I would just unplug the aerials to any equipment and leave it at that.

pphillips

I just unpluged the satellite dish and completed the no licence needed declaration every 2 years and haven't had any problems.
I don't get any hassle from them but everyone's experience is different.

Cornucopia

You can decline to get involved with TV Licensing at any stage of their "process".   All of their routine activities are optional for you to participate in.

If you have no experience of their antics, I'd suggest filling in the No Licence Needed form on their website.   That will normally stop them sending monthly letters.

From there, they may or may not send someone round.   You do not have to speak to that person or even answer the door to them, and I'd suggest not doing so.    If you do speak with them, I'd recommend not answering any questions (including regarding your name) without seeking legal advice first.  You can say that to them.   Also, don't sign anything at all, irrespective of anything they may tell you about why a signature is required, or what it's for.

iPlayer now requires an ID to access it, so there's no possibility of accidentally using it.  If you have a BBC ID already, then use a different email address if/when you fill in the No Licence Needed form.  (This will avoid any confusion if you use your BBC ID at a licensed address later).  

There's no need to be paranoid, but they are an awful offshoot of the BBC and require some caution for a hassle-free experience.

xxxxxxxx

Hi there,
I have not had a TV license for 25 years.  You need a TV licence to watch live broadcast TV or BBC iplayer  whether it is watched on a TV or a computer.  It is ok to watch ITV player etc without a TV licence. I have never registered to BBC website so I never watch or listen to radio there.  And it is ok to watch a DVD or Netflix etc 
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ104  
It could even be argued that BBC online radio requires a TV licence but they say it doesn't
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ102  

If you return their letter saying "I do not watch TV" depending how you look at it, there may be no point in doing that.  For one thing If you do return the letter they will not accept your declaration as being the truth.  They will write back to you -and now they have your name because you gave it to them- they will say: 
"Thank you for telling us you do not watch TV,  but just to be sure you are not lying one of our operatives will need to visit you and inspect your home then we will leave you alone for 2 years" 
Sure enough if you allow them to invade your home, they will leave you alone for 2 years, but then they will start with the letters again.  I will not allow them into my home, so for me, returning the declaration that I do not watch TV is a waste of my time.  

My understanding of the law,  it is up to you to confirm laws for yourself.  
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/foi-legal-framework-AB16#
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/contents   
Section 363 Licence required for use of TV receiver  

1) A television receiver must not be installed or used unless the installation and use of the receiver is authorised by a licence under this Part.

If you read on a little bit S.368 tells you that "Television Receiver" is defined in regulations and The "use" of such a TV means to use it to receive: 

• any part of any television programme or 

• any part of an on-demand programme provided by the BBC on-demand service. 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/primary+secondary?title=The%20Communications%20%28Television%20Licensing%29%20Regulations

Meaning of “television receiver”

9.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), in Part 4 of the Act (licensing of TV reception), “television receiver” means any apparatus installed or used for the purpose of receiving (whether by means of wireless telegraphy or otherwise)—

(a) any television programme service, or

(b) an on-demand programme service which is provided by the BBC,

whether or not the apparatus is installed or used for any other purpose.

(2) In this regulation, any reference to receiving a television programme service includes a reference to receiving by any means any programme included in that service, where that programme is received at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is received by members of the public by virtue of its being broadcast or distributed as part of that service.

So what does it all mean?

It means you need a TV licence for a "Television Receiver"

A "Television Receiver" is anything 

that is used to receive live broadcast TV programmes (at the same time as general public)  or 

that is used to receive the BBC iPlayer   

Don't watch BBC iplayer because that would be illegal for you. 

Don't put an aerial lead into your TV or your your set top box.  

In the unlikely event you are visited by anyone you don't know at your front door, don't answer any of their questions.  TV people who visited me usually start off with stuff like "Do you live here?"  to which I reply "Who are you?" I force them to identify themselves, when they do identify as TV Licensing, I either shut the door in their face or I politely decline to answer any questions but I sometimes tell them I don't watch TV.  To which they usually ask to come inside and inspect, to which I always refuse.  

In the Extremely Unlikely scenario where they force entry on you with police present, just show them the TV is not tuned in and not connected to an aerial and tell them you never watch iPlayer.  

It's OK if the TV is connected to a DVD player.

Tactictaylor

You are under no obligation to answer the door to a goon. If you do, just say nothing and close the door. I had one of these hired thugs threaten to physically assault my neighbours friend for asking him if he was from TV Licensing, as the goon refused to confirm, and acted very aggressively. Eventually, Capita, admitted he worked for them and offered apology! Horrible vile tactics, bordering on criminality, never interact with these people!

Swipe

Tactictaylor said:

You are under no obligation to answer the door to a goon. If you do, just say nothing and close the door. I had one of these hired thugs threaten to physically assault my neighbours friend for asking him if he was from TV Licensing, as the goon refused to confirm, and acted very aggressively. Eventually, Capita, admitted he worked for them and offered apology! Horrible vile tactics, bordering on criminality, never interact with these people!

Nice job bumping a 4 year old thread that everyone knows the answer to