TV Licence article Discussion

silverwhistle

Deleted_User wrote: »

Usually I just rip them up unopened and straight into the bin, but seeing as it had been a while I thought I'd see what this one was about.

I've had two of that version now, and of course nobody turned up on the date specified in the window (or any other date for that matter). Inside it said 'or some other date' or words to that effect.

So what we have is not them trying to be helpful but just trying to embarass and intimidate.

If it happens a third time I can feel the idea of letter of complaint coming on, although straight in the log basket still seems the likeliest outcome.

Cornucopia

silverwhistle wrote: »

If it happens a third time I can feel the idea of letter of complaint coming on, although straight in the log basket still seems the likeliest outcome.

As something of a TVL complaints veteran, I can tell you that whilst it can be a cathartic experience to put one's concerns about BBC-TVL to paper (or e-mail), the likely response will not be particularly positive.

Based on my experience, I would say that the BBC is well-used to every conceivable complaint about TV Licensing and well-practiced in obfuscating and denying each of them.

Having made a number of these complaints, I have reached a form of stalemate with them, where they have never given much ground despite the manifest issues with TVL, but they have divulged some useful information (perhaps even inadvertently).

In particular, I have now been told in various ways by them that they will not divulge even the generality of the legal framework that they claim provides their justification for operating. To me, this would be unacceptable for any public authority, but in this case some of their activities are within the scope of the Right to Privacy, and therefore it becomes doubly questionable, bordering on the principles of failed states.

There's been long-term speculation about whether their activities were ultimately unlawful, and I was always cautious about making a definitive statement on the issue. However, I regard this development as a serious one, and one that contradicts the openness principles within Human Rights case law. As such, and in my non-lawyerly opinion, their "home visits" are unlawful. Whilst it may be entertaining to speculate about disposing of their letters in creative ways, I would now suggest that householders with no need of a TV Licence exercise extreme caution in speaking to TVL staff at their homes, and the preference would be not to do so.

I can quote the relevant sections of letters from the BBC's Head of Revenue Protection (who operates TV Licensing), if anyone is interested.

Burnacid3000

Freeview on my smart TV works only with aerial cable.

If they find you with an aerial cable or iplayer app you can get a fine.

How can I run my TV only on Demand? Cause to watch on demand I need the aerial cable.

Thanks

Cornucopia

Burnacid3000 wrote: »

Freeview on my smart TV works only with aerial cable.

If they find you with an aerial cable or iplayer app you can get a fine.

How can I run my TV only on Demand? Cause to watch on demand I need the aerial cable.

Thanks

Your Smart TV should work with on-demand (that comes from the Internet) without needing an aerial connection. It's recommended that you de-tune your TV (go through an auto-tuning cycle with no aerial connected), and then leave the aerial disconnected if you plan to go forward without a TV Licence. Remove the aerial cable entirely (if it is removable) or if it is fixed to the wall, coil up the loose end and secure it with cable ties so that it cannot reach the TV.

Unplug your aerial and see what happens, ignore any error messages about "no signal" and try the on-demand functions.

If for some reason that doesn't work, it's probably worth considering a separate device for watching on-demand, like a Now TV box, a Chromecast, an Amazon Firestick, a Roku box, a Youview box (with no aerial connected)... etc. etc. You'll need to select the device that supports the on-demand services you want to use.

elaza

My son is a student living in Halls of Residence and as such his TV viewing on his laptop appears to be covered under our home TV Licence. When he received a couple of TVL threatening letters, we decided to declare that he did not require a TV licence using the declaration form on the TVL website.

Whilst this form appears to give the option to state that you are covered by a licence at another address, you can only access this option by ticking the preceding boxes that state "I don't watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, on any channel, using any device." and also that "I don't download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer." In other words it is only possible for him to declare that he is covered by a licence at another address if he makes a number of untrue statements.

Seems to me that this is a no win situation. He can declare that he does not need a licence only by making false statements.

I think that the only reasonable course of action is to ignore the letters, do not make a declaration and tell any visiting TVL representative that he is covered by his parents licence, a copy of which he now has.

Seem reasonable?

Cornucopia

There's no actual requirement to tell them anything.

However, if you do want to do that, and the online form is preventing it, I'd suggest phoning them.

cw18

elaza wrote: »

My son is a student living in Halls of Residence and as such his TV viewing on his laptop appears to be covered under our home TV Licence.

My understanding is that this is only true if he never plugs his laptop into the mains (or plugs any type of aerial into the laptop) whilst watching.

So it's the same as my boyfriend coming to mine and watching something on his tablet whilst not charging it at the same time. (He has a licence for his home, I don't)

[Deleted User]

elaza wrote: »

and tell any visiting TVL representative that he is covered by his parents licence, a copy of which he now has.

Better yet, don't tell him/her/it anything.

[Deleted User]

Student accommodation/halls of residences are easy pickings for TVL goons. They know that most young students won't have the knowledge or experience and will happily sign a confession on the door step.

Just remind them not to answer door to TVL or enter into any conversation with TVL.

Blue_Max

had a letter saying that they will visit unless payment is made.
A date was also given. They did not turn up. The letter also said they might come later. More than three weeks have gone by but no visits.
Scare tacticts, I guess. What will they think of next!