TV licensing people are after me!

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Gaidin109 said:
Whether you watch TV or not doesn't matter. If you have equipment on the premises that is capable of receiving broadcast TV, basically anything with a Tuner in it, be it a TV, Video, PC Tuner, Settop box you are required to have a valid licence for that premises.

For example, you cam have an old Video-Recorder in a cupboard, not own any TV or monitor to view it on, but still be liable for the licence fee.
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That isn't what the TV licencing website says...
 
Gaidin109 said:
Whether you watch TV or not doesn't matter. If you have equipment on the premises that is capable of receiving broadcast TV, basically anything with a Tuner in it, be it a TV, Video, PC Tuner, Settop box you are required to have a valid licence for that premises.

For example, you cam have an old Video-Recorder in a cupboard, not own any TV or monitor to view it on, but still be liable for the licence fee.
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That is not correct. You only need a TV if you watch or record TV as it is being broadcast. Just having the equipment does not require you to have a TV licence.
 
RDM said:
That is not correct. You only need a TV if you watch or record TV as it is being broadcast. Just having the equipment does not require you to have a TV licence.
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Note the Record. The equipment you own as a videorecorder can record broadcast TV to watch at a later date, this makes you liable for the TV licence. If the equipment is capable of recieving or recording broadcast TV you must have a licence. The equipment must be redendered incapable of receiving a broadcast signal, either by having it detuned and no aerial or having the tuner removed.

I got fined £135 20 odd years ago for owning a videorecorder, but no TV on that very ruling.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/communications/television_licences.htm
 
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I have a mobile phone with a vid cam :o

It's just scarmongering tbh, bet they send them out to everyone by default.
 
Gaidin109 said:
Note the Record. The equipment you own as a videorecorder can record broadcast TV to watch at a later date, this makes you liable for the TV licence. If the equipment is capable of recieving or recording broadcast TV you must have a licence. The equipment must be redendered incapable of receiving a broadcast signal, either by having it detuned and no aerial or having the tuner removed.

I got fined £135 20 odd years ago for owning a videorecorder, but no TV on that very ruling.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/communications/television_licences.htm
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You are misinformed - check the actual website http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/
 
mattyfez said:
You are misinformed - check the actual website http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/
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Yup, it's a common misconception that constantly rears its head in threads like these.

You only need a licence if you watch or record live TV. If you have a TV or any other piece of equipment with a tuner in it doesn't matter if you aren't using it. Technically (and practically) you can have it tuned in when the TV licence people come round, but if it is off they have no right to fine you for it. However lots of people don't realise this and get suckered in by their bullying practices.

The TV licencing website asks you to let them know if you don't use the TV (and don't have a licence) so they can come round and check but it's not requirement.
 
nydryl said:
That might be a slight giveaway. I know someone (no license) that answered the door to the tv licensing people holding a virgin remote :rolleyes:
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He may only be using it for the hundreads of radio stations. You can also listen to any live broadcast as long as you do not display a picture. In which case you do not need a license despite having virgin or sky,
 
Amp34 said:
Yup, it's a common misconception that constantly rears its head in threads like these.

You only need a licence if you watch or record live TV. If you have a TV or any other piece of equipment with a tuner in it doesn't matter if you aren't using it. Technically (and practically) you can have it tuned in when the TV licence people come round, but if it is off they have no right to fine you for it. However lots of people don't realise this and get suckered in by their bullying practices.

The TV licencing website asks you to let them know if you don't use the TV (and don't have a licence) so they can come round and check but it's not requirement.
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If only it were that easy:

If you do not use your television set, video recorder or DVD player to watch or record live broadcast programmes (that is, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, cable television or satellite television) you will not need a licence. This means that you would not need a licence if, for example, you only:

  • use the television set as a computer monitor
  • use the television set to play electronic games
  • watch pre-recorded videos or DVDs, whether or not these have been bought or recorded by someone else.
However, the television set must be incapable of receiving all live broadcast programmes. This could be done, for example, by making sure that a television set, DVD or video recorder are not:

  • tuned into any channels
  • connected to an aerial
  • connected to any cable or satellite services.
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The equpment must not be capable of recieving broadcast TV, simply swithcing it off when the licencing guy come round isn't going to cut it.
 
ard-tullaich said:
They do that all the time, even if you have a licence.......
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Which makes me wonder why the general population keeps entertaining this nonsence.

Put any letters in the circular file, and if they knock on your door, tell them to 'do one'. end of story.

Thet have no right of entry and you have no need to proove to them, that you dont require a licence.

Imagine how you would feel if the fishing authority suddenly decided that every houshold in the country, you in particular, were going fishing without a licence, and started threatening you with fins an other such rubbish, you would just laugh, this is no different.
 
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Gaidin109 said:
Whether you watch TV or not doesn't matter. If you have equipment on the premises that is capable of receiving broadcast TV, basically anything with a Tuner in it, be it a TV, Video, PC Tuner, Settop box you are required to have a valid licence for that premises.
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Total rubbish, why do people keep saying this, even after a million threads.
 
AcidHell2 said:
Total rubbish, why do people keep saying this, even after a million threads.
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I'll repeat what it states on the CAB advice page and what was read out to me in court when I was fined all those years ago:

If you do not use your television set, video recorder or DVD player to watch or record live broadcast programmes (that is, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, cable television or satellite television) you will not need a licence. This means that you would not need a licence if, for example, you only:

  • use the television set as a computer monitor
  • use the television set to play electronic games
  • watch pre-recorded videos or DVDs, whether or not these have been bought or recorded by someone else.
However, the television set must be incapable of receiving all live broadcast programmes. This could be done, for example, by making sure that a television set, DVD or video recorder are not:

  • tuned into any channels
  • connected to an aerial
  • connected to any cable or satellite services.
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Gaidin109 said:
I'll repeat what it states on the CAB advice page and what was read out to me in court when I was fined all those years ago:
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http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/technology-top8/
If you use Sky+, Playstation or any other games console or a digital TV recorder to watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. This is also the case if you use a DVD/VHS recorder.

If you only use your digital box to produce sounds (i.e. you don't use it to display programmes), then you don't need a TV Licence.
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Gaidin109 said:
If only it were that easy:


[/LIST]

The equpment must not be capable of recieving broadcast TV, simply swithcing it off when the licencing guy come round isn't going to cut it.
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It is (although easier if it isn't plugged in to an ariel). The Licencing authority have to prove you are watching live broadcasts. Having the TV tuned in but off would not stand up in court. The only legally binding way of getting caught is if the TV licencing people are in your house and see the TV on. Anything else and you don't have to pay squat, problem is a lot of people 1. Don't realise this and 2. Are afraid of the big fine they are threatened with (even though there would be no way a court would uphold it), so pay up.

Either way, if you have your TV/video recorder plugged in to an external arial then most of the time you probably are watching TV and as such deserve all you get...
 
Now we are going digital and everyone needs some sort of converter how long before you put credit on a card like a pay as you go phone?
Students can't complain then and everyone pays. I'd prefer that than another hike in taxes for those of us that pay them.
 
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