Tv License

Splewis

Splewis

Splewis

Associate
Joined
23 May 2009
Posts
108
So I have a 32inch LCD that I use as my computer screen. I genuinely gave TV up because I just don't think the licensing system is fair. Yet the tv licensing people are on my case and demand I pay the stupid £142 fee.

How come my mum, with 5 TV's in their house connected up only have to pay £139. Yet me, with just one TV has to pay £142? And its so unfair, I need to use this TV as a computer screen, a proper monitor of the same size is so much more expensive.

So what should I do?
 
Write and inform them that it is not connected to any sort of arial thus not able to receive broadcasts and is only used to view DVD's, and as a display for your computer/consoles.
 
Does the LCD include a TV tuner? Is it connected to an aerial? If it does, you are liable. If it doesn't, you are not.

We have a telly downstairs that is not connected an an aerial. We use it for watching DVDs and gaming on, and are thus exempt from the license.

The whole thing is totally stupid tbh...although I appreciate the advert-less programming on the BBC, sometimes I think it'd be better if they just changed to a commercial model.
 
I don't use my TV for tv either, just dvd's and the occasional use of my PS.
I told them this and don't pay a license fee, they did keep badgering me and came round to check a few times but I was telling the truth and there is no aerial or any other tv reciever connected to the TV so they had no choice really :)

I fear this thread will soon get trashed by the high and mighty 'pay for your license' brigade :(

If you don't watch TV on it and can prove that when they come round then you don't have to pay.

Make sure to write them a letter stating your situation, there should be more info on the tv license site.

Hope this helps
 
Of all the channels that could make the most money through advertising, its the BBC.

The tv has a built in tuner but so do all LCD TV's you can buy these days. Its not connected to an outside aerial, although I do have one because this is just a rented flat.

They "threatened" in their letter about sending their enforcement officers to check.
 
That's not true, Thundycat

Do I need a TV Licence?

-
You must be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV. It makes no difference what equipment you use - whether it’s a laptop, PC, mobile phone, digital box, DVD recorder or a TV set - you still need a licence.

You do not need a TV Licence to view video clips on the internet, as long as what you are viewing is not being shown on TV at the same time as you are viewing it.

If you use a digital box with a hi-fi system, or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence.
Click to expand...

Source:

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp#link1
 
Thundycat said:
It makes no difference if the TV is connected to and Ariel or not you will still need a license i'm afraid.
Click to expand...
False.

I've had these letters after buying new TV equipment in the past. They have a very threatening undertone and make very little mention of the rules surrounding the TV licence. The general gist is you've bought a new TV, now cough up.
 
Last edited:
I stand corrected you don't need a license if just for your pc or console.

Took this from the tv license website.
------------------------------------
What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence?
You do not need a TV Licence if you only use your TV to watch videos and DVDs or as a monitor for your games console.

However, please notify us in writing that this is the case. One of our Enforcement Officers may visit you to confirm that you do not need a licence.

Please write to us including your name, address and the reason you believe that you don't need a licence at:

TV Licensing
Bristol
BS98 1TL.
 
Their guys cant come in and look anyway. We had a similar problem in halls where the TV was only used for xbox. They went on and on about a licence, then we moved out.
 
Thundycat said:
It makes no difference if the TV is connected to and Ariel or not you will still need a license i'm afraid.
Click to expand...

No, common misconception, the licence is only required for watching/recording broadcast TV.
Owning a tuner on it's own doesn't require a licence.

If you don't watch broadcast TV then you don't need it, and disconnecting the arial (and no sat/cable box) means that you aren't able to receive broadcast TV :)
 
Thundycat said:
It makes no difference if the TV is connected to and Ariel or not you will still need a license i'm afraid.
Click to expand...

Thats not true. It's only if you actually use it to receive live TV signals. Just having the equipment doesn't warrant a licence.

EDIT: That took too long to type. :p
 
To confirm, you only need a licence if you are watching TV. We stopped watching TV about 3 years ago and cancelled the licence. We still have a TV for watching DVD's but we don't watch any TV.

We received loads of threatening calls and letters after we cancelled, which was really annoying, but they never actually sent anyone round. I got really fed up with them assuming that I must be breaking the law because I didn't have a TV licence :rolleyes:
 
Don't let their 'officer' in if he does turn up, he has no right to enter your property and it's a ridiculous invasion of privacy to have to prove a negative!
 
yeh i dont pay it either we had the tv licence dudes out the other week he came in seem i had a pc in the livingroom hooked up to the tv and said its cool he will put a block on our address so we dont have any more bother from them.
 
Simi said:
I fear this thread will soon get trashed by the high and mighty 'pay for your license' brigade :(
Click to expand...

The "high and mighty brigade" as you so cooly put it will only "trash" a thread when we get the usual "I won't pay my TV license even though I watch TV etc".
Mainly because when a license is required, really there is no excuse for not having one - being cool and "against authority" is hardly valid.

However when the OP is posting because he really doesn't need a license then there isn't an issue.
 
The TV Licensing authority seems to do most of their job by spreading FUD. It's quite laughable really.

In first year at Uni I was living in halls, and we all got a letter one day saying "YOU DO NOT HAVE A TV LICENSE, WE WILL BE PROSECUTING YOU SOON!" They were obviously just trying to catch people out; the rest of us just laughed - "yeah, just try and take me to court - I haven't got a TV, morons" and threw the letter in the bin.

They also go on and on about their "TV detecting equipment". As far as I'm aware, the way it works is picking up the radiation from CRT TVs, so if you've got an LCD, they can't detect anything. But I might be wrong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom