Official warning :|

DavidB

DavidB

DavidB

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20 Jul 2007
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Well ive recently moved into student accomodation in cardiff, all is well and good, but this morning i recieved a letter from the TV liscensing authority stating that id recieved an "official warning" :eek:

Now the thing is, i do have a tv...its currently being used as a second PC monitor as it can be connected via VGA. The actual tv has no aerial and can't recieve any more signal than a blue screen.

The back of the letter states "if you do not use tv recording equipment, such as tv sets, video or DVD recorders, set-top boxes, computers and mobile phones to watch programmes as theyre being shown on tv, you do not need a TV licence".

Surely seeing as i can only see a blue screen if i switch to tv mode (which i never need to do as its always in use as a pc screen) then i can't be "watching programmes as theyre being shown on tv" ?:confused:

I really don't know what to do in this situation, i obviously can't afford a £1000 fine as am a student and it would financially cripple me.

Any thoughts on the matter ?
 
Standard scare tactics. Ring them, tell they your situation and ask for a nazi to come and confirm you aren't lying. (don't forget you are guilty until proven innocent on matters of tv licencing).

And you'll still get the warning letters, even when you have shown them that you aren't watching TV. You aren't to be trusted.
 
Have they actually been round and seen your TV?
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No, "enforcement officers have been authorised by us to visit your address to interview you"

Standard scare tactics. Ring them, tell they your situation and ask for a nazi to come and confirm you aren't lying. (don't forget you are guilty until proven innocent on matters of tv licencing).
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Yes i was detecting scare tactics too, especially when i read "to avoid a court appearance purchase a licence"...mony grabbing tbh.
Unfortunately, i can't afford to ring them personally (expensive number too), so had to ask my mum to try and ring them...shes a dragon in her spair time, so id be suprised if she didn't get most of it sorted.

Just the thought of having a potential £1k fine, freaks me out.
 
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Let them then, prove it to them.

They sent us letters twice when one guy bought a TV card and a graphics card from another shop. They claimed that we didn't have a TV Licence at the address, but seem to fail to check other people's names at the same address...
 
DavidB said:
No, "enforcement officers have been authorised by us to visit your address to interview you"
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Who you dont have to let in, or talk to.
And when they do eventually waste their time and money with a court order to get access to your flat, you are not doing anything anyway.

Be so much easier for them if they had the decency to be polite.
 
rather just ignoring them, write them a letter saying you don't watch tv, the letters should then stop. Details on the license website. No idea why you can't phone them, but they need it in writing.


As others have said, you don't need a tv license and it's normal scare tactics.
 
lol rather contradicting messages, but i think ill just let them carry out all there un-needed procedures.

Im just nervous that they'll argue that it was recieveing tv signals (as it must have been for them to detect it), could they argue that despite the fact that it wouldn't actually be capable of displaying a picture should let me off though ?

Bah, its all so annoying

Ive sent them 2 e-mails, but ill send them a letter tonight too, hopefully theyl manage to be reasonable, but i fear im hoping too much.
Surely no arial isn't an excuse ? as you could throw one away in an instant really.
 
DavidB said:
lol rather contradicting messages, but i think ill just let them carry out all there un-needed procedures.

Im just nervous that they'll argue that it was recieveing tv signals (as it must have been for them to detect it), could they argue that despite the fact that it wouldn't actually be capable of displaying a picture should let me off though ?

Bah, its all so annoying
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As long as there is no aerial plunged in and the tv is unturned your fine. But rather than just letting it pile up and possibly have some headaches, just write them a letter.
 
they havent detected anything !

theyre either guessing that you have a tv or the shop you bought the tv from gave them your details as they have too :)
 
Sorry, edited previous post later, so ill add it here too.
me said:
Ive sent them 2 e-mails, but ill send them a letter tonight too, hopefully theyl manage to be reasonable, but i fear im hoping too much.
Surely no arial isn't an excuse ? as you could throw one away in an instant really.
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Why make things more difficult? It's simple as writing to them that you do not use any of your electronic items to watch tv/pick up a tv signal. Inform them, in your letter, that they are more than welcome to come and check out the premises (i.e your student halls) as proof of what you are saying. When they come around, let them in. You are done and dusted.

I mean really, how long does it take to word process and print off a 5 sentence letter and post it? It's worth the small hassle.
 
General questions about TV Licences

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 need to notify us in writing that this is the case and one of our Enforcement Officers may need to 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
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