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TV Licence?

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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 05:33 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: TV Licence? Reply with quote

Now I'm home I've decided to be a rebel and not pay my TV license. Fcuk the Jimmy Savile appreciation society Middle Finger

I know it's been done before but I want an update on what they can and can't do in case any laws have changed.

If they stick their foot in my door, can I use a nail gun on it Wink

Only 2 months into not paying and I'm quote 'already under investigation' Laughing
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c_dug
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PostPosted: 06:10 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

To be honest I went down the ignore path for months and months, receiving angrier and more threatening letters weekly. Then I realised I don't actually have a TV set up of any sort, so I resolved to show the next guy who called.

In the end he didn't even come in, me saying we don't have a TV to his face at the front door was enough to make him happy so he marked us off the list for the next 6 months. That was about a year ago now, still not heard anything more from them.
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dydey90
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PostPosted: 08:39 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Careful, or they'll post their magical signal detector van outside your house to scare you into payment.
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 08:45 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

dydey90 wrote:
Careful, or they'll post their magical signal detector van outside your house to scare you into payment.


I've got a satellite dish on the wall, bit obvious! Laughing
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Wafer_Thin_Ham
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PostPosted: 08:59 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Re: TV Licence? Reply with quote

Polarbear wrote:
Now I'm home I've decided to be a rebel and not pay my TV license. Fcuk the Jimmy Savile appreciation society Middle Finger

I know it's been done before but I want an update on what they can and can't do in case any laws have changed.

If they stick their foot in my door, can I use a nail gun on it Wink

Only 2 months into not paying and I'm quote 'already under investigation' Laughing


Don't worry about the angry letters.

They can't come in unless they have a warrant, which they cannot get unless they have reason to believe you're watching TV as it's being broadcast.

If you shut the door in their face each time, this isn't reason enough. That said they only target areas with high levels of no license with a visit. So if all of your street has licenses you'll probably fine you won't even get a visit.

I don't watch any live TV, but don't tell them as they always seem to want to come in, or ask for my details. So they can do one. I've only been visited once at my current address and that was just after I'd moved in. Not been bothered since, except by the letters. There are about five copy pasta letters they just rotate.
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J.M.
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PostPosted: 09:21 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

We received angry letters.

Went on their site, told them (using a fake name) that we don't watch TV here. Angry letters went away. Nobody ever came to visit.

Shame really. I was looking forwards to telling them to get off of my property Very Happy
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P.addy
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PostPosted: 09:24 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I didn't pay for 3 years, despite housemates begging, we didn't watch tv so I just said no Laughing

Letters are still coming, the mystery machine hasn't turned up and I've now moved... and won't be paying a licence. Laughing
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treeno
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PostPosted: 09:59 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's the same old story, just ignore. I told the last guy who came round he wouldn't be coming in and nor would any of his colleagues, ever. He asked why? I said do I have to let people in my home to check I'm not being murderous or I'm not downloading copyrighted content? No, so I'm not letting someone in to check I'm not watching TV. Haven't had any letters or visits in about 4 months now.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 10:05 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

You aren't "under investigation" you're just receiving one of a constant cycle of letters.

They can only come in if a) You let them or b) They have a search warrant.

If they have the latter, they will be accompanied by a police officer.

Assuming you're in England, someone is not held to be trespassing unless they have been asked to leave your property and have failed to do so. At that point, common law allows you to use reasonable force to remove them. It's not a criminal offence, you can't be charged or prosecuted for tresspass. If the police are called, the person refusing to leave would ordinarily be arrested for a breach of the peace.

So remember, if they stick their foot in your door you shout "Gerrof moi laaand." THEN stamp on their foot.

You could of course let them in and show them you have no TV but where's the fun in that?
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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 10:24 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've not paid since August Cool

We've had a couple of letters but not for a while. I think I found a website exposing the shit they have come up with.

I think one of the quotes from it, using the Freedom of Information stuff, it was found the "fleet" was more than likely 6 vans which possess technology that just doesn't exist.

I'm never home between 8-6 - these TV hunters aren't going to come at a time when I'm home are they?

And how are they beginning court proceedings if the letter doesn't have my name, you can't begin anything unless they know my name!
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Wafer_Thin_Ham
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PostPosted: 10:27 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

snoosnoo wrote:


I'm never home between 8-6 - these TV hunters aren't going to come at a time when I'm home are they?

And how are they beginning court proceedings if the letter doesn't have my name, you can't begin anything unless they know my name!


Had a knock on weekends before, but it's pretty rare, and that's exactly why I don't want them to know who I am. Why give them an excuse.
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berzerker
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PostPosted: 11:05 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

TVL are a private company, not having a TV licence is a civil matter not a criminal offence.

You do not need a TV licence just because you own a television, the TVL website confirms this but you do need a TV licence if you watch (or record) any live television broadcast on any device whether it's a TV, Sky+, Mobile, PC or via a games console.

TVL reps work on commission, they get paid for getting people to either buy a TV licence or admitting that they need one. You do not have to answer TVL's questions, and they have no right of entry to your home.

If you are daft enough to engage they may be able to prosecute you based on what you tell them, this will eventually lead to a court appearance and if you fail to appear a warrant for your arrest.

tl;dr
Don't answer the door.
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fatpies
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PostPosted: 11:09 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

berzerker wrote:


tl;dr
Don't answer the door.



Unless expecting parcels, guests and what not.... why would you ever answer the door?
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Skudd
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PostPosted: 11:55 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was being Mr Legal when I moved in to my new home. Rang them up to start the licence thing off. The guy said that I had to pay the first year over 6 months and then it would drop down to monthly after that. Anyway did all that and just after Xmas budgets were a bit tight so knowing that I had 6 months credit on my tv licence I cancelled the direct debit. Had a few letters of failure to pay, but I knew I was in credit so ignored them. The beginning of this week I had a letter from them offering two months refund. Obviously I wont be taking it as that would mean I had no licence. I will start paying it again in two months time because I'm a good boy.
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weasley
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PostPosted: 12:04 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

berzerker wrote:
TVL are a private company, not having a TV licence is a civil matter not a criminal offence.


Non-payment may be a civil matter, but the Communications Act enshrines the need for a licence in law.
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J0Al1
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PostPosted: 12:22 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've not renewed mine this year!

Got Apple TV and everything normal TV has can be had online if you ait as day or so...
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 17:44 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

berzerker wrote:
not having a TV licence is a civil matter not a criminal offence.


Yes it is.

Communications Act 2003 Part 4, section 363.
Quote:

363 Licence required for use of TV receiver

(1)A television receiver must not be installed or used unless the installation and use of the receiver is authorised by a licence under this Part.

(2)A person who installs or uses a television receiver in contravention of subsection (1) is guilty of an offence.

(3)A person with a television receiver in his possession or under his control who—
(a)intends to install or use it in contravention of subsection (1), or
(b)knows, or has reasonable grounds for believing, that another person intends to install or use it in contravention of that subsection,is guilty of an offence.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.


There are more details and exemptions but that's the crux of it.
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Shinigami
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PostPosted: 18:30 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

not had one for 2 years,

just fill in the form saying you havn't got one online, I've never been pestered.

On the other side I also don't watch tv as it is broadcast so don't require a licence anyway, only tv I watch is 'on demand' or shows and films I already have
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hedgehugger
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PostPosted: 18:44 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

This ^^^

We were paying for a license, when we realised we hadn't actually watched tv for around 3 years!!!

We filled in the form online and haven't heard a peep since.
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 20:32 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just re read the 'you are going to hang' letter and they refer to me by name. Does that make a difference?

That they know me I mean. Pale
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Hetzer
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PostPosted: 20:46 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had every kind of letter over the last six years at this address and two visits too (didn't answer the door). Ditto at the place before for twelve years. And the two flats before that. The BBC can go screw itself with it's massive golden parachutes to execs and obscene salaries. A Cambridge graduate gravy-train.
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ws4936
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PostPosted: 20:55 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Heres how to not pay.
An interesting read:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3909903
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Tungtvann
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PostPosted: 23:46 - 28 Feb 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Polarbear wrote:
Just re read the 'you are going to hang' letter and they refer to me by name. Does that make a difference?

That they know me I mean. Pale

What are you worried about? You don't watch live TV.
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Asharin
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PostPosted: 01:21 - 01 Mar 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

By the time anyone ever comes to our place we'll have moved house anyway. Not that it matters, we don't watch live TV lol.
May have a 42 inch TV but all we watch is dvd's or iPlayer or 4OD etc
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D O G
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PostPosted: 01:22 - 01 Mar 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hetzer wrote:
A Cambridge graduate gravy-train.


How blinkered.

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Some of them studied at Oxford.
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