Do i actually need a tv licence 🤔

Cornucopia

Dobbibill said:

you will need to declare 'no licence required' periodically - I think I do mine every 2 yrs roughly. 

You don't need to do it, it's not a legal requirement.   It's also not a "declaration" as such, because it doesn't have legal standing beyond its role in TV Licensing's administrative processes.  

Without wanting to get too strident on it, people with no need for a TV Licence are not answerable in law to TV Licensing/BBC.     That works both ways - anything you give (info, your time) is a favour to them, and anything they request from you is not legally required.

Cornucopia

Sammyg said:

Newbie_John said:

99% you don't, unless you decide to watch some of the live Amazon TV shows.. 

One thing I hate about TV license is that simply providers like netflix don't have that issue - you don't pay you don't get access, with BBC so many people pay £200/year pointlessly, the TV license rules are written so complicated and so badly written making you think that you need a license no matter what.

Confusing yes Newbie John as that’s me, but surely p00shsticks I would still need one if I’m watching my programmes, Netflix, Apple, Amazon ect on my TV I know it might bee different if you are watching them on a computer etc but I mainly watch them my TV?

As I always thought streaming whether it be Netflix, Amazon or other steaming services on your actual tv, it would be an offence if you do get a licence, I suppose I just want someone clear solid clarity and that video on the tv licensing page doesn’t help matters.

No, you don't need a Licence to view on-demand content from commercial platforms irrespective of the device you're using to view them on.    It is the type of content that gives rise to the need (or not) for a Licence, not the method of reception, or the type of hardware.

The MSE article posted above is very clear, and very accurate.  Unfortunately, other sources of info including TV Licensing (alarmingly) can be less good, and there is no single authority to sort it all out.  

Olinda99

The TV licence is fairly easy to understand if you think of it as a licence to receive
a broadcast transmission of a program

Back in the day this used to be of course only possible over the airwaves but nowadays you can also receive the same program in other ways for example on the internet

Today the licence conditions remain the same - you need one if you receive a broadcast transmission but it has been expanded to say If you receive that broadcast transmission at the same time as it is being broadcast via some other medium than the airwaves (for example the internet) then you also need a licence. 

They have also added of course the iPlayer

Dobbibill

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

you will need to declare 'no licence required' periodically - I think I do mine every 2 yrs roughly. 

You don't need to do it, it's not a legal requirement.   It's also not a "declaration" as such, because it doesn't have legal standing beyond its role in TV Licensing's administrative processes.  

Without wanting to get too strident on it, people with no need for a TV Licence are not answerable in law to TV Licensing/BBC.     That works both ways - anything you give (info, your time) is a favour to them, and anything they request from you is not legally required.

They already had my name & address from previously when I needed a TV licence. I did the declaration as part of the cancellation so they still have all my details and the letters start again after a period of time so it's just as easy to do it given it only takes seconds

Cornucopia

Dobbibill said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

you will need to declare 'no licence required' periodically - I think I do mine every 2 yrs roughly. 

You don't need to do it, it's not a legal requirement.   It's also not a "declaration" as such, because it doesn't have legal standing beyond its role in TV Licensing's administrative processes.  

Without wanting to get too strident on it, people with no need for a TV Licence are not answerable in law to TV Licensing/BBC.     That works both ways - anything you give (info, your time) is a favour to them, and anything they request from you is not legally required.

They already had my name & address from previously when I needed a TV licence. I did the declaration as part of the cancellation so they still have all my details and the letters start again after a period of time so it's just as easy to do it given it only takes seconds

I have a small round filing cabinet for the letters, or if I can be bothered, I send them back (it is free and lawful to do so).

There are several disadvantages to submitting the No Licence Needed (NLN) form:

- If they don't already have your name, it gives them that info.   

- If they subsequently form an evasion case against you, they will treat you more harshly if you had previously submitted NLN than not.   

- The Ts & Cs for NLN specify that you agree to them visiting.   Whilst this doesn't change the underlying rights to deal with them at the door, some people may find that more difficult as a consequence of that agreement.

- There are rumours that people submitting NLN may be more likely to receive a visit.   

- Since neither the letters, NLN or the visits are statutory, I kind of object to them using one to coerce the others.  

savergrant

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

you will need to declare 'no licence required' periodically - I think I do mine every 2 yrs roughly. 

You don't need to do it, it's not a legal requirement.   It's also not a "declaration" as such, because it doesn't have legal standing beyond its role in TV Licensing's administrative processes.  

Without wanting to get too strident on it, people with no need for a TV Licence are not answerable in law to TV Licensing/BBC.     That works both ways - anything you give (info, your time) is a favour to them, and anything they request from you is not legally required.

They already had my name & address from previously when I needed a TV licence. I did the declaration as part of the cancellation so they still have all my details and the letters start again after a period of time so it's just as easy to do it given it only takes seconds

I have a small round filing cabinet for the letters, or if I can be bothered, I send them back (it is free and lawful to do so).

There are several disadvantages to submitting the No Licence Needed (NLN) form:

- If they don't already have your name, it gives them that info.   

- If they subsequently form an evasion case against you, they will treat you more harshly if you had previously submitted NLN than not.   

- The Ts & Cs for NLN specify that you agree to them visiting.   Whilst this doesn't change the underlying rights to deal with them at the door, some people may find that more difficult as a consequence of that agreement.

- There are rumours that people submitting NLN may be more likely to receive a visit.   

- Since neither the letters, NLN or the visits are statutory, I kind of object to them using one to coerce the others.  

If you have had a licence and then cancel it they are more likely to be suspicious if you don't declare that you understand what you can and can't do without one.

Cornucopia

savergrant said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

you will need to declare 'no licence required' periodically - I think I do mine every 2 yrs roughly. 

You don't need to do it, it's not a legal requirement.   It's also not a "declaration" as such, because it doesn't have legal standing beyond its role in TV Licensing's administrative processes.  

Without wanting to get too strident on it, people with no need for a TV Licence are not answerable in law to TV Licensing/BBC.     That works both ways - anything you give (info, your time) is a favour to them, and anything they request from you is not legally required.

They already had my name & address from previously when I needed a TV licence. I did the declaration as part of the cancellation so they still have all my details and the letters start again after a period of time so it's just as easy to do it given it only takes seconds

I have a small round filing cabinet for the letters, or if I can be bothered, I send them back (it is free and lawful to do so).

There are several disadvantages to submitting the No Licence Needed (NLN) form:

- If they don't already have your name, it gives them that info.   

- If they subsequently form an evasion case against you, they will treat you more harshly if you had previously submitted NLN than not.   

- The Ts & Cs for NLN specify that you agree to them visiting.   Whilst this doesn't change the underlying rights to deal with them at the door, some people may find that more difficult as a consequence of that agreement.

- There are rumours that people submitting NLN may be more likely to receive a visit.   

- Since neither the letters, NLN or the visits are statutory, I kind of object to them using one to coerce the others.  

If you have had a licence and then cancel it they are more likely to be suspicious if you don't declare that you understand what you can and can't do without one.

They have no legal basis to be suspicious of anyone.   Or rather if they want to sit in their office being quietly suspicious, that's fine, but as soon as those suspicions start to form public policy and/or communications with specific individuals, that's a problem.

As I said before, their letters, the No Licence Needed forms and their routine home visits are not part of the legislation.   Not only that, but "TV Licensing" isn't part of the legislation, either - not as a named entity, nor conceptually.   

mutley74

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

you will need to declare 'no licence required' periodically - I think I do mine every 2 yrs roughly. 

You don't need to do it, it's not a legal requirement.   It's also not a "declaration" as such, because it doesn't have legal standing beyond its role in TV Licensing's administrative processes.  

Without wanting to get too strident on it, people with no need for a TV Licence are not answerable in law to TV Licensing/BBC.     That works both ways - anything you give (info, your time) is a favour to them, and anything they request from you is not legally required.

They already had my name & address from previously when I needed a TV licence. I did the declaration as part of the cancellation so they still have all my details and the letters start again after a period of time so it's just as easy to do it given it only takes seconds

I have a small round filing cabinet for the letters, or if I can be bothered, I send them back (it is free and lawful to do so).

There are several disadvantages to submitting the No Licence Needed (NLN) form:

- If they don't already have your name, it gives them that info.   

- If they subsequently form an evasion case against you, they will treat you more harshly if you had previously submitted NLN than not.   

- The Ts & Cs for NLN specify that you agree to them visiting.   Whilst this doesn't change the underlying rights to deal with them at the door, some people may find that more difficult as a consequence of that agreement.

- There are rumours that people submitting NLN may be more likely to receive a visit.   

- Since neither the letters, NLN or the visits are statutory, I kind of object to them using one to coerce the others.  

I last did a NLN online assessment in 2024 which states on the email it was valid until June 26. 
Some reason I now had 2 letters demanding a TVL this year.  When reads the letters is almost intimidating as well not clearly written as if to catch anyone out even if they dont watch live TV or the BBCi. 

[Deleted User]

savergrant said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

you will need to declare 'no licence required' periodically - I think I do mine every 2 yrs roughly. 

You don't need to do it, it's not a legal requirement.   It's also not a "declaration" as such, because it doesn't have legal standing beyond its role in TV Licensing's administrative processes.  

Without wanting to get too strident on it, people with no need for a TV Licence are not answerable in law to TV Licensing/BBC.     That works both ways - anything you give (info, your time) is a favour to them, and anything they request from you is not legally required.

They already had my name & address from previously when I needed a TV licence. I did the declaration as part of the cancellation so they still have all my details and the letters start again after a period of time so it's just as easy to do it given it only takes seconds

I have a small round filing cabinet for the letters, or if I can be bothered, I send them back (it is free and lawful to do so).

There are several disadvantages to submitting the No Licence Needed (NLN) form:

- If they don't already have your name, it gives them that info.   

- If they subsequently form an evasion case against you, they will treat you more harshly if you had previously submitted NLN than not.   

- The Ts & Cs for NLN specify that you agree to them visiting.   Whilst this doesn't change the underlying rights to deal with them at the door, some people may find that more difficult as a consequence of that agreement.

- There are rumours that people submitting NLN may be more likely to receive a visit.   

- Since neither the letters, NLN or the visits are statutory, I kind of object to them using one to coerce the others.  

If you have had a licence and then cancel it they are more likely to be suspicious if you don't declare that you understand what you can and can't do without one.

People need to bear in mind that the BBC is a private company. Having the BBC 'suspicious' of you because you don't use their service is no more impactful than having Ocado 'suspicious' of you because you don't buy their bananas.

The very best advice is to have no interaction with BBC / TVL whatsoever. Certainly never contact them, never respond to their letters, never fill in any of their forms or give them any information, never open the door in the unlikely event one of them comes round and if by mistake you do, say nothing and close it immediately. 

Personally I like it when I receive my monthly threat letter from the BBC. I know I've wasted a tiny bit more of their money and am doing my bit for their hastened demise.

Cornucopia

mutley74 said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

Cornucopia said:

Dobbibill said:

you will need to declare 'no licence required' periodically - I think I do mine every 2 yrs roughly. 

You don't need to do it, it's not a legal requirement.   It's also not a "declaration" as such, because it doesn't have legal standing beyond its role in TV Licensing's administrative processes.  

Without wanting to get too strident on it, people with no need for a TV Licence are not answerable in law to TV Licensing/BBC.     That works both ways - anything you give (info, your time) is a favour to them, and anything they request from you is not legally required.

They already had my name & address from previously when I needed a TV licence. I did the declaration as part of the cancellation so they still have all my details and the letters start again after a period of time so it's just as easy to do it given it only takes seconds

I have a small round filing cabinet for the letters, or if I can be bothered, I send them back (it is free and lawful to do so).

There are several disadvantages to submitting the No Licence Needed (NLN) form:

- If they don't already have your name, it gives them that info.   

- If they subsequently form an evasion case against you, they will treat you more harshly if you had previously submitted NLN than not.   

- The Ts & Cs for NLN specify that you agree to them visiting.   Whilst this doesn't change the underlying rights to deal with them at the door, some people may find that more difficult as a consequence of that agreement.

- There are rumours that people submitting NLN may be more likely to receive a visit.   

- Since neither the letters, NLN or the visits are statutory, I kind of object to them using one to coerce the others.  

I last did a NLN online assessment in 2024 which states on the email it was valid until June 26. 
Some reason I now had 2 letters demanding a TVL this year.  When reads the letters is almost intimidating as well not clearly written as if to catch anyone out even if they dont watch live TV or the BBCi. 

Another problem with "No Licence Needed" - that TVL make the rules, including setting the duration.   Even within their own policy documents, they have different durations for addresses they deem as "student", other residential and business.