TV Licence article Discussion

mountain_man_3

I don't need or want a TV licence......

The house has an aerial on the roof but the cable is cut off at ground floor level outside the building. I have a tv in the front room window that is only ever used as a monitor for DVD's or catch-up from the lap top. No 'Live tv' is watched on any type of device.

Three years ago we moved in and I informed TVL that we don't need a licence - fine, they accepted that....

Now, TVL have been contacting me for about 6 months asking me to buy a licence or reconfirm that I don't need one.

I take exception to their presumption that I am guilty and have not made any response to them - I know I don't need a licence.

The letters have progressed to telling me that they will send an officer around to check. I have not seen one and have no idea if one has tried to visit - since I have an active life I am often out!

HERE'S THE QUESTION:
The latest letter tells me a hearing 'may' be set in court for me and goes on to tell me what to expect - a court summons does concern me so i would like to know the following:

* Am I required by law to respond to TVL?
* Can I be summoned to court without any evidence against me?
* Am I guilty of any offence by not taking 'reasonable' actions to respond to their many letters?

Thanks for your help,

MM

Cornucopia

This letter is the worst example of the BBC's/TVL's dark art of malicious letter writing.

Here is the letter in full: http://www.bbctvlicence.com/Letter%20-%20March%202013.jpg

Pretty much nothing in it is actually true.

(How they have the nerve to make programmes about deceitful Private Parking Companies and the like is beyond me).

To answer your specific questions:-

- You are not obliged to give TVL any information, nor to confirm or deny any information they may have (or think they have) about you.

- In the case of summary offence such as this, you cannot be summonsed without there being evidence of an offence.

- There is no legal requirement to assist them in their enquiries or in administering the Licence Fee.

and one you didn't ask...

- You are not obliged to make any comment or answer any questions if they come to your door. You have the right to insist that they leave your premises, and if they fail to do so promptly, you have the option of calling the Police.

If you complain to the BBC, you can get the letters stopped without volunteering any information.

Andy_L

Cornucopia wrote: »

Pretty much nothing in it is actually true.

Really? Looks fairly accurate to me

Paul_Varjak

I know how you feel Mountain Man. I cancelled my TV licence. Refunded, no questions asked.

Days later they send a letter addressed to The Occupier saying they will commence an investigation unless I confirm to them I don't need a licence.

I called them telling them not to call at my house which they agreed to abide by but they said they would contact me in 2 years time to check if I needed a licence.

I find the presumption of guilt wholly distasteful.

Cornucopia

Andy_L wrote: »

Really? Looks fairly accurate to me

You're entitled to your view.

Personally, I think most people in receipt of that letter from a position of innocence would find it dishonest and offensive.

mrchinchin25

mountain_man wrote: »

I don't need or want a TV licence......

The house has an aerial on the roof but the cable is cut off at ground floor level outside the building. I have a tv in the front room window that is only ever used as a monitor for DVD's or catch-up from the lap top. No 'Live tv' is watched on any type of device.

Three years ago we moved in and I informed TVL that we don't need a licence - fine, they accepted that....

Now, TVL have been contacting me for about 6 months asking me to buy a licence or reconfirm that I don't need one.

I take exception to their presumption that I am guilty and have not made any response to them - I know I don't need a licence.

The letters have progressed to telling me that they will send an officer around to check. I have not seen one and have no idea if one has tried to visit - since I have an active life I am often out!

HERE'S THE QUESTION:
The latest letter tells me a hearing 'may' be set in court for me and goes on to tell me what to expect - a court summons does concern me so i would like to know the following:

* Am I required by law to respond to TVL?
* Can I be summoned to court without any evidence against me?
* Am I guilty of any offence by not taking 'reasonable' actions to respond to their many letters?

Thanks for your help,

MM

I'm in the same situation as you. However I've been in this situation for about 2 years and nothing further has happened.

I get letters every few weeks saying the same stuff ("May take you to court, may schedule a visit") but so far I've not had a visit.

Well actually someone might have visited and knocked, but I don't open the door unless I'm expecting someone so nevermind..

acc

A while ago, I was subject to unfair harassment by TVL (several letters, and someone knocking on the door) when I did not need to buy a licence, and it took months of complaining until the matter escalated to someone called Pipa Doubtfire. (Is that a real person, or is it a code name? I googled the name, and the only Mrs Doubtfire is Robbie Williams.)

Mrs Doubfire defended the 'robust' letters, authorised a token payment for the poor level of service, acknowledged my withdrawal of TVL's right to access, but said TVL would still contact me 2 years later.

[Deleted User]

mountain_man wrote: »

The latest letter tells me a hearing 'may' be set in court for me and goes on to tell me what to expect

Don't worry about it.

I've had the "What to expect in court" letter EIGHT times so far.
Suffice to say, I'm still waiting for the summons.

Paul_Varjak

acc wrote: »

A while ago, I was subject to unfair harassment by TVL (several letters, and someone knocking on the door) when I did not need to buy a licence, and it took months of complaining until the matter escalated to someone called Pipa Doubtfire. (Is that a real person, or is it a code name? I googled the name, and the only Mrs Doubtfire is Robbie Williams.)

Mrs Doubfire defended the 'robust' letters, authorised a token payment for the poor level of service, acknowledged my withdrawal of TVL's right to access, but said TVL would still contact me 2 years later.

She is a real person...



http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/media-centre/news/telescope-2012-report-reveals-nations-love-for-tv-NEWS50/

[Deleted User]

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

She is a real person...

Or, more accurately, there's a person they refer to as Pippa Doubtfire.

Whether that's her real name, is another question.