TV Licence article Discussion

[Deleted User]

Had that one about a dozen times wwl.

As with all the others, my advice is ignore it.

cw18

What amuses me is that these letters are all addressed to 'the legal occupier'

So if you're a squatter (ie. not considered to be a legal occupier) you don't need a licence?

Or if you're a workman in a house that's being renovated before the new owners move in (as has been the case with a few houses I've delivered 'to the legal occupier' TVL letters to in the last 12 weeks)?

Cornucopia

"Legal Occupier" is just another part of the theatricality of the TVL approach. It isn't intended to exclude any particular group, and in fact, any adult at an evading address can be prosecuted (though TVL policy is to exclude obviously questionable groups like baby-sitters).

My current view is that virtually all of what TVL do is fake (one way or another) and that the only thing that people really need to be concerned about is the Interview under Caution.

Interview under Caution can, of course, simply be declined, citing Right to Silence or Right to Counsel if you wish. Personally, I think the optimum approach is to provide a "No Comment" interview, and insist that the interview form is completed with "No Comment" written in to all the relevant spaces and obtaining the "customer" copy that it is required that you are provided with.

The form should not be signed and ideally your name should be withheld.

DavidP24

wwl wrote: »

I'm in the process of dealing with my late Mother's house, which is unoccupied and in the process of being sold. I've had some threatograms from TVL over the past year, the last being a notice that the proemises is under investigation, and have ignored, just for amusement to see what happens.
This is the most recent, which I think is outrageously misleading and threatening to someone who didn't know better, making a clear implication that court action will follow, despite no name to persue, and no evidence (there is no TV in the house). I've no idea if anyone has visited but they would have seen the 'sold' sign and the empty front room.

"Please read the information below... you will be allowed to take it into court with you". Oh that's very kind of you...:rotfl:

I agree, they are disgusting

I had to deal with closing down someone's affairs for a friend after their mother died, stopped all the direct debits, called all the suppliers, TVL were hell to get hold of.

They got the most horrible letter from TVL which really upset them.

Guy turned up a few days later when we were clearing things up and I gave him such a mouthful, !!!! still asked to come in, I told him to foxtrot oscar and gave him the name of the funeral directors, told him he could see the body if he felt it was appropriate.

Then I found out that they actually owed his mother money as the way it works you you pay upfront when on direct debit.

Funny how in those videos on YouTube the TVL goons really object to having their privacy abused, being filmed getting into their car, showing their numberplate etc.

One of these days these reprobates are going to knock on the wrong door and there will be a video of them getting their backside kicked.

What is disturbing is that it is a company policy of crapita.

DavidP24

I actually tell them my name is Thele Galoccupier, I say I am Croatian and they can still "Odjebi"

cw18 wrote: »

What amuses me is that these letters are all addressed to 'the legal occupier'

So if you're a squatter (ie. not considered to be a legal occupier) you don't need a licence?

Or if you're a workman in a house that's being renovated before the new owners move in (as has been the case with a few houses I've delivered 'to the legal occupier' TVL letters to in the last 12 weeks)?

DavidP24

Cornucopia wrote: »

"Legal Occupier" is just another part of the theatricality of the TVL approach. It isn't intended to exclude any particular group, and in fact, any adult at an evading address can be prosecuted (though TVL policy is to exclude obviously questionable groups like baby-sitters).

My current view is that virtually all of what TVL do is fake (one way or another) and that the only thing that people really need to be concerned about is the Interview under Caution.

Interview under Caution can, of course, simply be declined, citing Right to Silence or Right to Counsel if you wish. Personally, I think the optimum approach is to provide a "No Comment" interview, and insist that the interview form is completed with "No Comment" written in to all the relevant spaces and obtaining the "customer" copy that it is required that you are provided with.

The form should not be signed and ideally your name should be withheld.

I agree with your valid points, worth pointing out that things have to go a long way before you have to engage with them, e.g. a warrant which is not easy for them to get if you do not engage with them.

Do not answer door to people you do not know or expect, saves a lot of grief from TVL and others.

You can collect the crap they put through the door or just bin it

On the other hand if you want to have a bit of fun you can video them.

Have your own phone ready to film if you want to have some fun, they always start their script with "are you the legal occupier" at which point you ask them to identify themselves, they will repeat "are you the legal occupier" and you can say "Please identify yourself, who you represent and what you are selling"

Ignore whatever kwap they come out with and say

"Oh, I'm sorry, you seem to have made a mistake"

Wait for the puzzled look on their face or response and say

"I am not in the market for what you are selling, now please do not bother me again or I will take steps to prevent you from doing so, have a nice day" and slam.

Always have some lemon juice in a plant sprayer for cleaning your door and letter box, air freshener works well too, spray above them and let it fall on them, the Tesco value or Wilkinsons one is great for this purpose as it comes down wet. Make sure you film so the idiot can't say you sprayed in his eyes.

That is a great idea, I am going to say I am the babysitter or carer from now on and say that I do not know the legal occupier.

We ought to have a thread for suggestions of funny ways to deal with them.

[Deleted User]

DavidP24 wrote: »

worth pointing out that things have to go a long way before you have to engage with them

No offence, but you've just spent most of your post, describing ways to engage with them.

Total silence is, IMO, the way to deal with them.

Not only does it mean you don't engage with them, but it pi55es them off no end, which can only be a good thing.

DavidP24

None taken and you are absolutely right, I meant if you decide you DO want to engage them

Not engaging does indeed peeze them off and is the best policy, I did it for three years in one place and it did not allow post (royal mail had keys) so they could not even leave their cards.

Cornucopia

DavidP24 wrote: »

Always have some lemon juice in a plant sprayer for cleaning your door and letter box, air freshener works well too, spray above them and let it fall on them, the Tesco value or Wilkinsons one is great for this purpose as it comes down wet. Make sure you film so the idiot can't say you sprayed in his eyes.

I cannot emphasise too strongly how bad an idea this is.

[Deleted User]

Cornucopia wrote: »

I cannot emphasise too strongly how bad an idea this is.

However, if you happen to have a timer controlled garden watering system, and they are wandering around your garden, trying to peer in windows.