tv License

Shylock_249

I only watch repeats so last year's licence will suffice!

4justice2

You can stop at any age, I haven't paid since I was 48. There's loads of stuff on TV you can watch quite legally without a licence.

If you mean when can you get a free licence it's 75 and over, but only if getting Pension Credit. The "free licence for everyone over 75" was stopped in 2020.

Cornucopia

A licence is required to watch/record TV broadcasts or access BBC content on iPlayer. If you don't do either of those things, you don't need a licence.

Without one, you can still access commercial catch-up/on-demand content (either free or paid-for).

There is a "No Licence Needed" form that BBC/TV Licensing likes people to fill out (every year), but it is not mandatory.

Anyone newly coming in to being Licence free probably needs to be aware that the BBC operates an entire enforcement regime with some questionable methods.

Bzzzz

I'd describe their enforcement methods as "scummy". But its important to remember the only people who they catch are ones who admit they have no licence. You dont have to talk to them and they have no right of entry or even to be on your property. You can just ask them to leave and not come back. I would not answer the door to them. But if I accidentally did I'd simply say " I dont need a licence, now please leave".

silverwhistle

But its important to remember the only people who they catch are ones who admit they have no licence

I think you need to add "and admit to watching television". If someone came to my door and asked if I had a licence I'd have to tell them that it was a very stupid question.. The only reason they'd be there is because there'd be no TV registered at the address. Similarly "do you watch TV?" the answer would be 'yes' and tomorrow when I go to the pub to watch the football, not having a TV, I shall try and have fewer pints than last time!

sheslookinhot

I’ve now had two letters (to the Legal Occupier) from TV Licensing, recent one in a red envelope, informing me of 2 visits by the Enforcement Team. 1 is now past and the second is in 2 weeks. Each letter stated the actual date of the visit, then added “or any other date”.

Cornucopia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82096743#Comment_82096743

I don't think I've ever heard of them "visiting" on the date on a letter. There isn't AFAIK any connection between the letters being sent out and the scheduling of a visit - despite the implication in various letters that there is.

They have 6 million unlicensed addresses and a couple of hundred people - the numbers don't add up in terms of anything other than an individual doorstepper visiting a few unlucky addresses each day.

PixelPound

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82096895#Comment_82096895

A neighbour got a visit, they turned up at 1am, posted a letter and left. I mentioned to him the next morning that 2 young white males had gone to his door in the night (it was caught on my door cam) and he said there was a letter from TVL through his letterbox saying they had visited and might visit again at an undisclosed time.

Cornucopia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106473#Comment_82106473

This is outside of TVL's official visiting hours, so probably wasn't them directly. They have been know to contract other organisations to deliver calling cards for them, which like a lot of TVL activities is questionable.

PixelPound

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106523#Comment_82106523

Didn't see the letter but bet it was along the lines of buy a licence before we send the boys 'round again.