TV Licence article Discussion

PRAISETHESUN

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988290#Comment_81988290

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988293#Comment_81988293

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988310#Comment_81988310

Depending on the nature of your son's disability, you might qualify for a discounted/free TV licence, but it doesn't remove a need for a licence if you need one. Watching any sort of live TV is the thing that means you need one, not that you only watch Freeview, non-BBC, etc. If you were to subscribe to a stream service and only ever watched that, with no TV, then you wouldn't need a licence.

As for enforcement, I've had a visit from them once before too. Politely explained I did not need a licence and asked them to leave. They have no legal right to enter your home without a warrant, which they are not going to be able to get without evidence. Don't answer their questions as the primary way people get caught out is accidentally admitting that they need one when they don't have one.

Cornucopia

Echoing the above, the TV Licence is required to watch/record TV broadcasts (and BBC content on iPlayer). The BBC's use of the term "Live TV" is really misleading and unhelpful in this context. But Freeview requires a Licence to view.

Without a Licence, you can legally watch any commercial on-demand/catch-up content, as well as any on-demand content from streaming services like Youtube, Netflix, Amazon, etc. On-demand content on ITVX does not require a licence.

Live content on Youtube from ordinary Youtubers does not require a TV Licence to view.

When BBC/TV Licensing say they will visit, what they mean is that they might visit (if the weather, your location and any access limitations are favourable), but you do not have to speak with them, and I would suggest not doing so.

TVL's much publicised £1000 fine is very much a maximum amount, and it can only be set by a Court, not by the BBC themselves. A more typical fine amount is £175, but the actual amount, and payment terms are based on your income.

pepas

Hi,
I don't have a TV, I don't watch live material on my laptop, but I'd like to watch the current Word Cup's games. Does anybody know whether it'd be possible to get a TV licence and cancel it straight away as soon as the World Cup ends, so that I don't pay for the rest of the months when I won't be using it?

Thank you.

Cornucopia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82039993#Comment_82039993

A licence always starts from the beginning of the month that you buy it in. You can then cancel in whole months for a refund.

mta999

Yes buy it now that will cover you from the first of June and cancel it in July it'll cover you to the end of July. They will refund you 10 months worth

Alternatively buy it now but opt to pay by monthly direct debit. the first payment will be two months and as soon as it has been taken cancel the direct debit (and thus the licence). This method will save you having to apply for a refund

pepas

Hi @mta999 and @Cornucopia,

Thank you for replying! I'm on the TV Licensing page, picked Direct Debit, and it says I need to pay £30 per month, for the first 6 months, and after that it's £15 a month. Does this mean that if I buy it now I'll end up paying £60 (just for June and July)?

Thank you.

Cornucopia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82043893#Comment_82043893

Yes - when you start paying by DD, the amounts paid are twice as much. When you cancel, this extra payment will be refunded.

mta999

The first £30 covers you for 2 months (tvl.is £15 a month) so once it has been taken cancel that direct debit

Cornucopia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044241#Comment_82044241

You'd probably still need to confirm with them that that's what you want to do (rather than having it refunded).