TV Licence article Discussion

derrick

hamper wrote: »

Thank you! I should have figured I could find out about it on their website, shouldn't I? Sorry for making you do it!

You did not make me do it;)

hamper

Ahh you know what I mean! Thanks!

caela_2

oldMcDonald wrote: »

It is really a stupid situation we have got into whereby we are paying for a licence when we no longer watch TV! It is only by reading this thread it has dawned on me that it is bullying tactics.

I wasn't going to post on here till I read that! I am so outraged for you! Listen, be brave and stand up for yourself. When I first moved into our new flat, we didn't even have a tv cos we couldn't afford one. TV licensing sent a letter headed in red capitals threatening me like I had not paid them for something I owed and they were going to take me to court. Being so broke, I used to dread opening the mail, it was always some bill, usually overdue and usually I was dreading seeing that red writing! When I figured out this was tv licensing I went ballistic and called them, threatening that they had better not contact me at my home ever again in the future or I should consider it harrassment. I told them I don't have a tv and have no explaining to do to them and DON'T treat me like I owe them something! Needless to say, we didn't hear from them again

However, when I did get some pennies together I bought a tv and like I promised them, if I have a tv, I'll duely pay the licence, which I did. Watching daytime tv annoyed me to think I was paying for this crap. I'd end up putting 4od on anyway (we have a media pc hooked up to the tv for this, which I highly recommend!). So when renewal came round, the letters went in the bin and I don't watch tv anymore. Just got another of their gorgeous red letters and called them to say I don't watch tv cos it's crap and the adverts are too long (BBC still advertise their own programmes, even though they are not largely to blame for advertising, but TMF and more popular channels take the p*ss!).

If they send someone round, I advised them I won't be letting them in and they are free to waste their own time. They said I need to sign something then they won't bother me, but as I know, I only need to sign something to confirm I am doing something with a company, not that I am NOT using them! How stupid.

Anyway, my recommendation is buy a media pc. We bought parts and made one ourselves for up to £300. Sounds expensive, but that's barely two years of tv licence fees and much better value- we can actually chose what we watch on our tv- dvds, 4od, itv catchup, i player and so on. It also means I have a really massive monitor as I use the tv for browsing the web. Just hook it all up with a remote (wireless) mouse and keyboard, about £15 at Tesco and you're away- controlling everything from a couch. Excellent.

caela_2

ndc.1984 wrote: »

Does anybody know if you need a licence even if the TV isn't plugged into an aerial or tuned in to receive any sort of signal? Basically, my housemate and I only use the TV to watch DVDs, and neither of us have any interest in broadcast television whatsoever. I've looked nearly everywhere (official and unofficial) for an answer, but I haven't had any joy yet. Much obliged.

You only need a licence to watch live tv broadcast via any electrical device, primarily a tv. If you only use your tv for playing dvd's on, then there is nothing they can do, you are within your rights and do not need a licence. Double check on their website, but this is what I have been doing as well, using a media pc connected to my tv to watch 4od, etc.

shinjukumaster

caela wrote: »

I wasn't going to post on here till I read that! I am so outraged for you! Listen, be brave and stand up for yourself. When I first moved into our new flat, we didn't even have a tv cos we couldn't afford one. TV licensing sent a letter headed in red capitals threatening me like I had not paid them for something I owed and they were going to take me to court. Being so broke, I used to dread opening the mail, it was always some bill, usually overdue and usually I was dreading seeing that red writing! When I figured out this was tv licensing I went ballistic and called them, threatening that they had better not contact me at my home ever again in the future or I should consider it harrassment. I told them I don't have a tv and have no explaining to do to them and DON'T treat me like I owe them something! Needless to say, we didn't hear from them again

However, when I did get some pennies together I bought a tv and like I promised them, if I have a tv, I'll duely pay the licence, which I did. Watching daytime tv annoyed me to think I was paying for this crap. I'd end up putting 4od on anyway (we have a media pc hooked up to the tv for this, which I highly recommend!). So when renewal came round, the letters went in the bin and I don't watch tv anymore. Just got another of their gorgeous red letters and called them to say I don't watch tv cos it's crap and the adverts are too long (BBC still advertise their own programmes, even though they are not largely to blame for advertising, but TMF and more popular channels take the p*ss!).

If they send someone round, I advised them I won't be letting them in and they are free to waste their own time. They said I need to sign something then they won't bother me, but as I know, I only need to sign something to confirm I am doing something with a company, not that I am NOT using them! How stupid.

Anyway, my recommendation is buy a media pc. We bought parts and made one ourselves for up to £300. Sounds expensive, but that's barely two years of tv licence fees and much better value- we can actually chose what we watch on our tv- dvds, 4od, itv catchup, i player and so on. It also means I have a really massive monitor as I use the tv for browsing the web. Just hook it all up with a remote (wireless) mouse and keyboard, about £15 at Tesco and you're away- controlling everything from a couch. Excellent.

But remember also, you have no obligation whatsoever to TVLA, unless that is, you watch LIVE BROADCAST TV, AS IT IS BEING BROADCAST.

You can write, anonymously, as 'The Occupier(s) at your address, and deny the BBC/TVLA and/or its agents, 'the implied right of access to your property'. Any visits after this notice is issued, is criminal trespass - and you can take THEM to court.

I have been playing the BBC and its goons for quite some time, and I am sure they have spent far more than the value of a TV licence, if I in fact needed one, which I don't, because I have never had a TV. Earlier in the year, I issued a 'denied right of access' notice, as I'm too busy to waste their money, and haven't heard from them since. I took video the last time the 'investigating officer' called, and will use it against them should a trespass occur.

All I can do now is encourage others to stand firm.

Writing to your MP will help also, explaining how you have been harassed. In my case, the 'investigating officer' used misleading info to gain access across our security lobby door, and refused to identify himself. And there's more (I can't say here) which I have brought to the attention of my MP.

Fight the good fight!

pskw

I have CCTV at the front and rear of my home. Do I need a television licence to use a monitor/television creen to view? One camera records onto a DVD the other records onto a card that is then viewed on my computer. The DVLC tell me I do.

KeithP

pskw wrote: »

I have CCTV at the front and rear of my home. Do I need a television licence to use a monitor/television creen to view? One camera records onto a DVD the other records onto a card that is then viewed on my computer. The DVLC tell me I do.

Why would the DVLC be interested?

Weren't they the predecessor of the DVLA?

sammylou100

Hiya, new to thread, been through 4 pages and can't find this question, it's prob in here somewhere though and I am doubling up! Sorry!

I DO want to pay my TV licence, moved into a rented flat on my own a couple of weeks ago, watch TV in the evenings so I am more than willing to pay, BUT I just called and asked to pay monthly and was told that this would cost around £35 as I have to make 4 monthly payments rather than 12. By my calculations £142 divided by 12 is £11.84, I am paying council tax & bills myself, I can't afford to pay £35 a month really, the guy on the phone just told me that it was because it's 'near the end of the month' WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I told him I was not able to afford that amount and he gave me the option of paying quarterly...still comes in at around £35 but every 3 months....leaves me a bit confused and worried about the scary licence man rocking up at my house...

derrick

sammylou100 wrote: »

Hiya, new to thread, been through 4 pages and can't find this question, it's prob in here somewhere though and I am doubling up! Sorry!

I DO want to pay my TV licence, moved into a rented flat on my own a couple of weeks ago, watch TV in the evenings so I am more than willing to pay, BUT I just called and asked to pay monthly and was told that this would cost around £35 as I have to make 4 monthly payments rather than 12. By my calculations £142 divided by 12 is £11.84, I am paying council tax & bills myself, I can't afford to pay £35 a month really, the guy on the phone just told me that it was because it's 'near the end of the month' WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I told him I was not able to afford that amount and he gave me the option of paying quarterly...still comes in at around £35 but every 3 months....leaves me a bit confused and worried about the scary licence man rocking up at my house...

It's because you have to pay 6 months in advance when paying monthly or quarterly, so they collect that faster.

See these pages;-
Ways to pay
Direct Debits
TVL

sammylou100

So why do they call it Pay Monthly? It's actually only 4 months! I actually cannot afford to pay that much a month but DO WANT TO PAY IT, I guess I will just have to put it off for a bit and save up! (and hide behind the sofa when the doorbell rings!)