TV licensing letters!

mwtts123

Hi everyone,

I am a student living on my own away from home. For a few months when I moved in to my new house I was using bbc iplayer, admittedly I was silly enough to think I’d still be covered by my parents’ license. I never really used it that much and my account was still registered to my out-of-term address so I figured it would be alright. My sister sorted me out with a No TV license needed claim as I was worried that they would come knocking when I realised I’d mistakenly been using it. Now they’re sending me the classic threatening letters and saying they’ve cancelled my claim, they’re going to make visits etc. I ignored the first email and deleted my iplayer account and haven’t used it since. Now they’ve sent me 3 more emails and a letter saying I need to contact by next week or I could be facing a fine. From what I’ve seen on forums lots of people say to just ignore them, but of course I am worried when threatened with a fine that high! I’m moving out at the end of March so in 2 and a half months but I am worried about them coming over and knocking on my door as I’m quite anxious as is. I think it’s cruel that they threaten people like this, as I made a mistake and don’t know how I can tell them without them charging me a fortune, or how I can avoid the situation going forwards. Please let know your experience! Many thanks! 

Detail_Merchant

In practice I think your best course of action is just to do nothing.
Don't talk to them, admit nothing, don't respond. They are just trying to worry you.

Also, you don't say what kind of device you used to watch iPlayer?
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ32
If the device was a mobile device (e.g. phone, tablet, laptop computer) with its own battery, and you only watched iPlayer when it was not plugged in to the mains, then you are ok.
And even if it was plugged in to the mains once or twice it is unclear how they could know that (unless you admit it).
But if you talk to them they will try and trap you into admitting you did something that needed a tv license (whether or not it did).
So don't engage.

Detail_Merchant

One further thought that comes to mind, is that it's possible that the iPlayer app could sense whether the device it is running on is currently running down it's battery, or currently is having it's battery charged.
I think apps have to ask for the user's approval to check battery status, but I'm not sure.
But even if the iPlayer app did detect that it was running on a device that was having external power supplied, that does not prove it was being powered from the mains. I have many times re-charged my phone from an external battery pack.
So that would prove nothing.
But still best just to not talk to them.

mwtts123

I think I may have used it on a games console once or twice. It was months ago so I don’t remember and surprised they’re still contacting me about it when it’s been so long since I’ve even used it. It says they have “records” of me having used to account at my address but I don’t know how it works. I need to apparently get in touch by the 18th Jan but not sure what im supposed to say. I won’t buy a license now that I don’t use iplayer and im moving out in two months anyway. 

Detail_Merchant

I've not been in your exact situation, so I can't comment from experience.
What do they say will happen if you don't contact them by the 18th Jan?

Here are some external sites it might be worth reading.

https://tvlicencebible.co.uk/tv-licensing-enforcement/

https://tv-licensing.blogspot.com/2021/02/tv-licensing-kite-flying-falsely.html

https://appeal.org.uk/tv-licensing-faqs

If you receive a letter from an actual court, then of course don't ignore that.
The last of those web-sites mentions something called the Single Justice Procedure (SJP), so don't ignore a letter if it is that.

But if it is just a vague fishing exercise by TV Licensing, then my understanding is that you have no legal obligation to respond (but I am not a lawyer).