Hi. A friend of mine is about to move into a flat with no TV License. This maybe a stupid question but if they have a TV in their bedroom, a freeview box that is already supplied which is hooked upto the TV but they watch no TV at all just play on the xbox and watch DVD's they won't need a license and be charged for not having one correct?
TV License for students
- Thread starter Vegeta
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If they don't watch TV at all that is being broadcasted at that moment in time then no you don't need a TV License. But if a TV License investigator guy was in the house checking things out (if they get that far....) then it would be hard to explain why you don't need one if a freeview box is hooked up....
Soldato
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Thats rubbish advice. The proper response is 'If anybody comes to check, shut the door in their face'. Its not Missus Miggens popping over for a cup of tea, its some disgruntled ex-bailiff with as much legal power as a neutered gnat.
No right of entry.
However, despite what many people think, they do apply for and get warrants to search.
If you're watching live broadcasts you should be paying, so the only reason you wouldn't let one in is if you were watching live but had no license (or you were just being a complete ****, sorry, fogot about the percentage of people like that).
In which case just grow-up, realise the world doesn't owe you a living and pay for waht you're using!
However, despite what many people think, they do apply for and get warrants to search.
If you're watching live broadcasts you should be paying, so the only reason you wouldn't let one in is if you were watching live but had no license (or you were just being a complete ****, sorry, fogot about the percentage of people like that).
In which case just grow-up, realise the world doesn't owe you a living and pay for waht you're using!
When I was a student in halls I got letters to get a TV license almost monthly so I did eventually. Not sure what the TV license people would do if they caught you, probably not much, but if you don't watch TV just unhook the freeview box and put it in a cupboard somewhere.
Also I'm unsure how true this is but I was under the impression that you did need a TV license to watch things on iPlayer now? There are massive discussions about it on the internet and apparently people have called the TV licensing company and been told the license is required, even for TV on the internet.
Also I'm unsure how true this is but I was under the impression that you did need a TV license to watch things on iPlayer now? There are massive discussions about it on the internet and apparently people have called the TV licensing company and been told the license is required, even for TV on the internet.
License is required for all live broadcasts, including Iplayer. Not entirely sure about watching a Iplayer program a few days after broadcast however.
As for the halls thing, they can't possibly inspect all halls of residence up and down the country, I imagine some may get checked, but most of the time the letters are more of a scare tactic, they only need a small amount of people to pay to justify the cost of the letters.
Only if you watch "Live TV" on iPlayer, aka stuff that is being broadcasted at that moment in time. I believe it says this on the iPlayer site as well. If you're watching catch up then you do not need a TV Licence.
Edit: Found it on the TV Licence site too:
"You need to be covered by a licence if you watch TV online at the same time as it's being broadcast on conventional TV in the UK or the Channel Islands."
So if you watch catch up, no need for a licence.
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Permabanned
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look out the window and if you don't know the person, don't answer the door. just ignore all the letters, put them straight in the bin. 
I keep getting letters to the occupier, i don't know who he is, but he is definitely popular and seems to be in a bit of trouble.
I keep getting letters to the occupier, i don't know who he is, but he is definitely popular and seems to be in a bit of trouble.
look out the window and if you don't know the person, don't answer the door. just ignore all the letters, put them straight in the bin.
Is the TV license a government conspiracy to control our brainwaves?
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British brainwashing channel send their minions around to search your premises for television receivers, if you caught receiving the programming without a license, they put a bag over your head and box tie your hands behind your back and drag you away in a van.
Ignore the letters, they'll do you know harm and if it gets to the point of someone knocking on your door tell them to go away. Seriously.
£140 is a stupid amount for a student, I haven't paid for the last 3 years and seen no harm come of it.
£140 is a stupid amount for a student, I haven't paid for the last 3 years and seen no harm come of it.
They also need to supply the Magistrate with some definitive evidence, they cannot just ask for a Search Warrant because they 'think' someone is watching a TV unlawfully.
Or he may just wish to exercise his Rights to not let random strangers snoop around his property, you must be one of those 'Nothing to hide' fools. If you have 'Nothing to hide' then what's your address so we can all pop around randomly for a nose about, and if you have 'Nothing to hide' then post all your Credit Card Numbers, Bank Accounts, Passwords etc.. Oh what? you do have things to hide afterall, forgot about the percentage of people like that
Soldato
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To get a warrant requires evidence, to get evidence requires.... ENTRY. Thats the whole point. They are trying to get you to incriminate yourself by allowing them in. Don't deal with them, no evidence, no warrant. Kthxbye. 'Mr Smith wouldn't let us snoop around his property' is not grounds for a warrant.
I don't deal with cold callers, i am not about to deal with these thugs.
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