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Is a TV licence needed?
Comments
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the tv detectors cannot pin point where a single tv is in halls of residence and are not usually allowed inside to check anyway.
It would be interesting to hear from any uni students to see if anyone has ever been checked whilst at uni.
TV detector vans are just used for scaring these days because the evidence has never been used in a court of law and that's because I don't think it can.0 -
TV detector vans are just used for scaring these days because the evidence has never been used in a court of law and that's because I don't think it can.
Quite correct ! Capita have admitted that they have NEVER used detector van (if they even exist !!) evidence in Court. This is because such evidence would be classed as "covert surveillance" - ie: the same as tapping your 'phone - and Capita 'aint allowed to do that !
They resort to bullying and groundless threats instead - they are a bunch of cowboys.0 -
To OP, your DD does not need a license, she is not receiving a signal, unless as has been stated she has a tv card in her laptop.
We haven't had a license for 11 years almost exactly. Each time we have moved we have been taken at our word, following a cursory check on the premises following the first notification.
Just before christmas we bought a new screen and have had the paper work through about not having a license, they have said they'll need to come along and check so I said 'ok then'. We have nothing to hide so there's no problem and I'm glad not to be funding the 99% rubbish that is shown. (Only seen on other people's tv's you understand!)0 -
moonrakerz wrote: »Quite correct ! Capita have admitted that they have NEVER used detector van (if they even exist !!) evidence in Court. This is because such evidence would be classed as "covert surveillance" - ie: the same as tapping your 'phone - and Capita 'aint allowed to do that !
They resort to bullying and groundless threats instead - they are a bunch of cowboys.
Detector vans have always been a con. For decades the technology they claimed they had did not exist. Then it was invented but far to expensive, now it is relatively cheap but is not installed in the vans.
Why install expensive equipment to detect if someone is watching a TV without a license when you already know they don't have a license, so you can just knock on the door and say "we know you are watching TV without a license, because we have a detector van" Most people, if they are, will just admit it. So you get your man without the need for the equipment.0 -
I lived in a block of apartments and couldn't get any reception. I just called the TV Licence people and told the I have my tv, but can't get any channels so I use it for video games/ dvds. They were fine and said if it changes, call them back. No probs.0
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busiscoming2 wrote: »Hi
My daughter is in halls at Uni, now in her final year, she has always had a tv and paid for a licence, but the room she is in this year she cannot get a reception at all, so just watches videos and dvd's. Does she need to keep paying for a licence? It doesn't seem fair!
Yes,you do need a TV licence in halls. Every room is counted as a separate dwelling.
They actually go round and check at Liverpool where my daughter was a student.
Anything to get extra revenue.0 -
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AFAIK (but please check at whitedot) you can use a TV for games, etc as long as it cannot receive a transmitted TV signal. So you need a sparky to remove the relevant parts if a TV is going to be used
if you're concerned about proving you're not receiving broadcasts, just de-tune the telly & disconnect it from the ariel0 -
EdInvestor wrote: »[Disclaimer: No TV and no visit yet from TV Licensing, who have been told and are welcome to come, and will be let in to look around if they do.]
Might be worth checking your rights there Ed - I nearly went down this route and it may be possible that, like bailiffs, if you let them in once they then have a right to enter. If you don't have a TV you are not breaking the law to not pay the fee. They could check your property every six months to check you aren't breaking the law.
It's your choice, bear in mind that they need a court issued warrant to enter premises and to get that they need proof that you are using equipment capable of receiving a transmitted TV signal. It is highly unlikely that TV Licencing will go to that trouble, they would rather bully you into submission - it's easier and cheaper.. :eek:If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got.
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