Don't need Tv License: should I write to them saying I don't need it?

moonrakerz

Tiglet wrote: »

I don't think the TV Licensing site has allowed for the possibility that somebody might want to use a TV but not want to watch TV programmes,

I would tend to think the other way, if it has considered that people would want to listen to radio via a TV, I find it extremely unlikely that they wouldn't (by now) have considered someone watching Teletext.

The quote below is from the TV Licensing website, which certainly covers the use for listening to radio. I can find no reference to Teletext there.
"If you use a set-top box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence."

The trouble is with quoting various Acts of Parliament is that is is very difficult to know if the bits you are quoting have been amended at a later time. I believe that much (all ?) of TV Licensing is now covered by the Communications Act 2003 !

Just as an aside - I have just noticed another piece of TV Licensing's (I think deliberate !) obfuscation in the extract from their website that I quoted above. "and you don't install or use any....TV equipment"
You DO NOT need a TV Licence to install, OR use, a TV, only to watch or record live programmes.

They are almost lying bullies !

loga

same as others, i have no tv, just a screen and a dvdplayer. I have send them a letter to the adress foind on their website and they didn't came to check neither here or in our other flat previously. I guess it is better to contact them than wait to be contacted

PENNYWISE_3

I had this problem with TV licensing when I moved into new flat as old tennants had obviously had tv and so my address was flagged up as suddenly having no licence.
I phoned to say had no tv and was told the letters could only be stopped for up to a month at a time and I would continue to receive them if I didn't keep phoning up. They also said that someone may call round and unless I let them in (which i refuse on principle to do when i've done nothing wrong, my flat is my sanctuary & at time I was living alone & don't want some strange man wandering around my home!).
I still received letters threatening court action etc etc despite having no tv which imho is a disgrace and could really worry some people (I just found them annoying - whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty??!!)

GRRRRR!

vikingaero

Why should someone have to pay to call a national rate number to tell them they don't have a licence? Why should someone have to pay to write them a letter?

TV Licensing are bullies because they like us to believe they all have these magical powers to treat us like criminals. Last year I was away so I got my wife to sign up for a new TV Licence in her name. And then the letters started coming through. Even our friendly postman commented because you can clearly see the red writing through the window of the envelope let alone the rubbish they print on the outside of it.

I treat this organisation with the contempt that they deserve. If I buy a new TV, video, DVD etc I give a false name and address.:D

vaderag

So, to re-awaken this thread, what should i do. I have just received a 'legal occupier' addressed letter, and I have no TV. I do have a TV box that plugs into my monitor, but I only use it to play my Wii - i get no signal here, so even if I wanted to use it, I cant!

So, should i write or not!?

melancholly

for the peace of mind, just write them a letter saying you don't need one - the last time i got one of those letters (before i bought a tv!) there was an option at the bottom of the letter in the form you could fill out to tell them, if not the info you need is here:

http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.transversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2fEntry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMetafaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensingInfo%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a134832%3a3&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=HJ0QML0J01C1QT6ESROAL6L0M6

for the price of a second class stamp, it has to be easier than making a stand against them..... i've had to do it a few times - and once there was a license in someone else's name at my address so i had to produce evidence of joint tennancy which was a big pain, but i just think there are more important battles to fight than refusing to contact them about it on a point of principle as some have advised. (or better still, use a work phone to ring the expensive number and then it's not your bill!)

rmn_tech

You may have a problem as the BBC are now Increasing the things you need a license for.

e.g. if you have an internet connection. or mobile phone.

To quote from the official letter from the TV Licence people.

"If you do not use TV receiving equipment, such as TV sets, video or DVD recorders, set top boxes, computers and mobile phones, to watch or record programs."

It further states that computers do not need to have a TV card fitted but are connected to the internet.

toasterman

Just caught the end of this thread and not read through it - but for those complaining about the cost of calling Tv Licensing.

See: http://www.saynoto0870.com
It seems to list freephone numbers for them.

That said, whenever I've called, I've always got a barrage of options, and then an answerphone on the end of every one.

You don't need a tv license for a mobile phone or an internet connection.

tomstickland

Just chuck all their letters in the bin. That's what I did. (I don't have a TV, just internet connection).

rmn_tech

toasterman wrote: »

Just caught the end of this thread and not read through it - but for those complaining about the cost of calling Tv Licensing.

See: http://www.saynoto0870.com
It seems to list freephone numbers for them.

That said, whenever I've called, I've always got a barrage of options, and then an answerphone on the end of every one.

You don't need a tv license for a mobile phone or an internet connection.

Could I suggest that if you receive a letter from TV Licensing you read it all very carefully.

Since the BBC have made their programs available both on the net and on mobile networks you will find that if you use any of these items to watch any TV programs (not just the BBC) then you have to have a licence.