TV Licence article Discussion

Ditto

I'm buying my first house soon, I will be buying a telly but I will be using it to watch dvd's, playing console games and attaching my laptop to it. When attaching my laptop it will be used to view programmes that I've downloaded from torrent sites.

So would I be correct in saying that I do not need to have a license, as I will not be watching live telly but how do I prove it, will it suffice having no co-axial cable going to the telly?

RobertoMoir

Ditto wrote: »

I'm buying my first house soon, I will be buying a telly but I will be using it to watch dvd's, playing console games and attaching my laptop to it. When attaching my laptop it will be used to view programmes that I've downloaded from torrent sites.

So would I be correct in saying that I do not need to have a license, as I will not be watching live telly but how do I prove it, will it suffice having no co-axial cable going to the telly?

And "de-tune" the TV away from any normal TV station frequencies, yes.
Oh and IIRC you don't have to prove you're not watching TV, they have to prove that you are. If you were, that is, which you're not.

KeithP

RobertoMoir wrote: »

And "de-tune" the TV away from any normal TV station frequencies, yes.
Oh and IIRC you don't have to prove you're not watching TV, they have to prove that you are. If you were, that is, which you're not.

The TV does not have to be de-tuned, although I guess that may help you substantiate your claim (that you are not watching live TV) should you ever be challenged.

Otherwise, as RobertoMoir says, it is for them to prove that you are watching live tv... which you aren't... so they won't be able to.

George_Bray

RobertoMoir wrote: »

If you don't need one, what "trouble" are you bringing on yourself by not filling in that form? They have to prove you are breaking the rules, you don't have to prove that you are not.

1. It would cost me 6 months refund for a start. I'm happy to fill in a form to apply for half a year's refund.

2. Even if you don't need a refund, it makes sense to fill in a form and allow them one visit every three years. What have you got to hide? It should keep them off our backs in between times. It must make sense.

nednoodle

I have just moved into a new place having previously lived somewhere where my name wasn't on the TV licence. I have tried to set up a montly direct debit payment of £11.87 for my TV licence but the only option that I am given on the website when I select DD pay monthly is to pay £23.50 for the first 6 months followed by £11.87 thereafter. This would mean that I would therefore always be 6 months ahead on my payments. If I move again and no longer need a licence, what would be the chance of getting a refund for overpayments - looks very unlikely! Even the TV licensing website says that they only refund quarter years so if you are 1 day into a quarter you would lose 3 months payments.

Quite apart from the debate over whether we should all have to pay for a TV licence, I think it is outrageous to only be offered a DD option that leaves you 6 months ahead in payments. I am surprised that anyone would agree to this and that there hasn't been an uproar.

I have decided that the quarterly option is best for me. At least I am only paying £1.25 extra a quarter and can cancel at anytime without having to try and claim back 6 months payments.

I have written an extremely shirty letter to TV licensing demanding an explanation. If enough people complain loudly enough about it, perhaps they will no longer be able to get away with this rip off. :mad:

KeithP

nednoodle wrote: »

Quite apart from the debate over whether we should all have to pay for a TV licence, I think it is outrageous to only be offered a DD option that leaves you 6 months ahead in payments.

I pay by Direct Debit and do not pay even one day in advance.
I pay the full amount when due each year.

Ok, you could say that I am paying the second half of the year 'in advance', I suppose,
but that's no different to Road Tax, car insurance etc.

Tripledrop

I've now canceled my TV licence. I spoke to them, told them I only watched the on demand stuff with BT Vision, and also withdrew their right of access to my property.

It's a disgrace that we have to pay to watch TV, it's like we're in North Korea or somewhere like that.

Nessynoo

You can always cancel your DD after 6 payments have been taken, then set it up again 6 months later. TVL dont like it, but you can cancel/set up DDs as you like.

rabialiones

can a person who was a visitor at the house and spoke to the officer and signed etc, be prosecuted?

derrick

rabialiones wrote: »

can a person who was a visitor at the house and spoke to the officer and signed etc, be prosecuted?

I believe the answer to that is yes,(as it is they who are watching the TV), I have read of babysitters being prosecuted, which does seem ridiculous, as surely it should be the premises that are licensed not the person , although they do require a name on the licence!