TV licencing gits

ginguar · Traffic Copper Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Karma :

Ok long winded rant now about harassment by the TV licencing people. We own a tv but do not ever watch it due to tv being pants. We use it to watch DVDs and videos which it is entirely legal to do so. We have over the past year recieved ever more threatening, deceptive letters from them but as we are not doing anything wrong have ignored them.
I had to spend my lunch hour today going to the post office to get a recorded delivery letter from them. The letter was a final reminder basically implying that if I did not pay they would take me to court.
I called them and they said it was my fault for not communicating with them. They said they would remove me from the database but that an enforcement officer would have to visit my house to check that I did not have a tv on the property. I stated that I am legally allowed to have a tv but that I am not allowed to recieve tv signals. He stated that this would actually the case. They seem to explain the law as suits them.
I have been informed that the enforcement officer will turn up unannouced.
So basically a stranger will turn up at my house at any point and walk around as they wish so that I can prove to him that I am not a thief.
I am f-ing p-ed off.
My other half was telling me about a work mate who got marched to a cash point so he could get the money to pay his.
I want to be as difficult as possible about this but he seems to think they can take us to court.
What would you do? Any experiences of this?

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

So you never ever ever ever watch any TV ?
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tribal_tiger · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Karma :

I thought you needed a license if it was capable to pick up TV.

Remove the tuner from the TV and you don't need a license. Not sure how this works now with things like SKY as that means you can still pick up TV without using a built in tuner! Confused

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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Not sure, think that you need a licence for receiving equipment. Would think that not having an aerial would mean that it is not capable of receiving anything.

The TV licensing people do seem to have a reputation for thug like behavior.

All the best

Keith
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Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp#link1
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veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp;jsessionid=E67FB5142B617740D0A2A8FD7CAC2613#link1

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I make a sport out of winding up the TV licencing people. It is easy done.

For all their claims to have 'TV detector vans' they only seem to be able to achieve enforcement by harrassing people who bought a Licence the previous year and haven't renewed it (or were stupid enough to fill in their real address on the form the shop gets you to fill in when you buy a telly). Even to the point of threatning to obtain search warrants (why would you need one of those if you have a detector van?).

I wind them up by putting slight variations in the name and address when I renew. This means they send reminders and such to the previous incarnation. Piss funny when I fuck-off the enforcement officer by showing them my valid licence.

They sent a debt councillor round once Laughing

The last TV licence holder at my address is called Mr. Z Beeblebrox. I think I will wait for the summons to arrive before I tell them that Mr. A. Dent bought it this time.
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carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

Did you write to them ginguar?

If not, and I suspect you didn't, then it's your fault.

Also is there an aeriel on your roof/in your loft?
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lozzypop1 · Certified MILF! Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Karma :

hahahaha i looooorve hitchiker!

on a more serious note... if u have an aerial connected to your house then YES you can get done/taken to court/blah de blah..
unfortunately i have had first hand experience of this and came away worse for wear! the nice (urgh) TV licence man explained that even though my aerial wasnt connected to the tv set i still had to pay (he actually said to think of it as a form of 'tax' cheeky git!) even though i only use it for DVD's and PS2 i still qualified to pay it (wankers) so... to cut a long story short.. please get one, its not worth the hassle! xXx
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Dragonfly · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Karma :

they torture me! i dont even watch it really lol but they dont believe you when you say you aint got one either. have to start paying for it mow though Sad

throw them a few quid a week now getting threat letters that thats now enough either.
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EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

They were the same when I first moved into my house and just had a black and white telly (which I picked up second hand for a tenner, couldn't afford a colour one). They wouldn't believe me, kept sending letters saying they would come and check and such.

I filed them where all such correspondance should be ie. The big green file with the wheels. Then they started visiting and putting cards through my door (I am seldom in as it happens). Frankly I wouldn't even open the door to the fuckers other than to laugh in their face and mock their inflated sense of self importance. They have no powers whatsoever.

If they have a search warrant, they will be accompanied by a uniformed police officer. They would have to show a magistrate they had reasonable cause to suspect you were using an unlicenced TV before they would get one.

And yes they do try to peer round the door if you open it so make sure you have a foot behind it (you should always do this anyway) and will sneak round trying to look through your windows.

Remember that in England you are legally allowed to use 'reasonable force' to remove someone who is trespassing on your property.

If you are talking to them, don't let them in unless you really want to, it is taking a fucking liberty. It isn't your job to prove you don't have a telly, it is their job to prove you do.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 20 Mar 2002 Karma :

i hate the tv licence people

130 quid for 5 shite channels, in reality you are paying for 2 from the bbc

i'd live quite happily with just a computer and my dvd's but occasionally a tv is nice to have

mine expired end of january and ive given it a damn good ignoring, the tv is getting locked in the wardrobe of my room when im at work like every other fucker in the navy/raf seems to do, deny all knowledge
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Dragonfly · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Karma :

ha see if yo ulive in NI you get 4 extra channels and dont have to pay for them as they are southern and they are far better than bbc c4 channels. its a perk and cant make us pay as we in UK.

i really dont know why they charge so much for shite viewing
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Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

Dragonfly · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Karma :

why are the bbc so obcessed with drama programs where has all the comedy gone?
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Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

Parmo Paul · Crazy Courier Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Karma :

Buy a plasma screen without the TV tuner box. It then counts as a display instead of a TV and hence no need for the licence. Very Happy

Good excuse for a new TV... oops sorry display, if ever I heard one.
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carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

Dragonfly · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Karma :

they sell freeview here in currys and guess what you dont get a signal here! know loads of people that bought them and they just figured out they dont work.
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Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

Parmo Paul · Crazy Courier Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Karma :

WR450_geezer · Nobody likes me Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Karma :

I bought a new TV from Curry's and a month later a received a letter asking why I havent bought a TV lisence yet. Idiots.

WR
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Dragonfly · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Karma :

yeah someone told me that when you buy a telly they do that. so if you dont have a licence get someone else to put it in in there name.
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All the breast.
Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

benc · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Jul 2005 Karma :

you should need one, i thik one of my friends has had the tc bloke come round and because he doesnt have an ariel he didnt have to pay.
I think the worst bit about the robbing bastards is at uni in halls, everyone has there own box of a room and so everyone has to buy a license.

mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

I did have a tv, worked out how to run my ps2 through my pc, all my vids are on dvd.. so simply no need for one..

Can't ever see myself needing a tv licence ever again tbh.. tis all poop, anything good comes out on dvd, and anythign on dvd can be gotten easy enough..

Just in case anyone didn't know: You DO NOT have to let them in your house without a warrant simple as.
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