TV Licence Super Thread

dowie · 13 Feb 2017 at 13:08

Just to be on the safe side I'd also ensure the TV is not tuned either - there ought to be an option to detune it. That and the lack of an Ariel wire ought to be sufficient.

I'm assuming Iplayer is on there by default, not much you can do about that. Though if you don't need the TV to access the internet then perhaps make sure it isn't connected.

If you're worried about it then don't say much to them and send them away if, by chance, you're in when they call.

spoffle · 13 Feb 2017 at 13:32

They actually have to see you watching TV. Having an aerial connected and channels tuned in isn't enough for them to actually do anything. It's what follows that, paperwork where they have you admit that you've been watching TV is what they get you with.

I'll also never understand the people who say "just let them in". It's your home, you're completely in control of who you allow in to your home.

dowie · 13 Feb 2017 at 13:42

Having an aerial connected and channels tuned in is just putting you at greater risk of being prosecuted. It is utterly pointless if you don't watch TV so why do it? I wouldn't necessarily bet on the magistrate believing you especially if the TV person can say they turned your TV on, pressed 1 on the remote and sure enough BBC1 came up.

You're much better off detuning the thing, not leaving it connected to an aerial - in fact remove the aerial lead from the room completely - and don't communicate with the TV people.

spoffle · 13 Feb 2017 at 13:50

It's not about chance or anything like that. The law states that it's the reception of the TV signal. Not being able to receive it.

Obviously the best way to deal with them is to not communicate with them.

dowie · 13 Feb 2017 at 13:56

Why make things difficult for yourself - what is the point of having a TV connected to an Ariel and tuned into terrestrial channels if you don't use it to watch TV?

That is about chance, you minimise the risk by simply making sure it isn't plugged into an Ariel or tuned in.

If you see the videos on youtube that is the first thing they check, that is the easiest way to get rid of them too - they see it isn't plugged in and isn't tuned in and go away.

Nemeses · 13 Feb 2017 at 14:52

Werewolf;27569167 said:
That's the thing that gets me, it seems that most of the people that have a lot of trouble with the evil TVL thugs are the people that refuse to let them know they don't watch TV (and then complain about the letters), or deliberately make life difficult for themselves and everyone else.

This, they are not mind readers, and only doing their job.

Basher · 13 Feb 2017 at 14:52

Jez;30498307 said:
Ive watched these too, the attitude of some people amazes me, i would just never have it in me to be the way these people are

I cant really fathom why people get so irate with TVL, as far as i see it you fall into one of three camps;

1) You have a TV license - therefore they wont call on you at all.
2) You dont, but dont need one - therefore why not just let them in and let them tick you off their list?
3) You dont, and should have one - why not calmly refuse entry and avoid TVL wherever possible. If a court summons somehow materialises just accept you've been caught and plead guilty via post and pay the fine.

There are lots of armchair lawyers who seem to love a good argument. The fast they make their own life harder is often missed by them.

Deep · 13 Feb 2017 at 15:40

When I moved in over a year ago I sent them a letter saying I won't be watching live TV and will only be using it for games consoles and blu ray player.

Apart from them confirming my letter they've never contacted me or sent any threatening letters.

How is it so difficult for other people?

spoffle · 13 Feb 2017 at 20:16

dowie;30499021 said:
Why make things difficult for yourself - what is the point of having a TV connected to an Ariel and tuned into terrestrial channels if you don't use it to watch TV?

That is about chance, you minimise the risk by simply making sure it isn't plugged into an Ariel or tuned in.

If you see the videos on youtube that is the first thing they check, that is the easiest way to get rid of them too - they see it isn't plugged in and isn't tuned in and go away.

That's not really my point. The rule is to not let them in, however you can't prosecuted on the basis of having a TV connected to an aerial that's tuned to channels.

But if you don't let them in then that is irrelevant.

spoffle · 13 Feb 2017 at 20:20

Deep;30499370 said:
When I moved in over a year ago I sent them a letter saying I won't be watching live TV and will only be using it for games consoles and blu ray player.

Apart from them confirming my letter they've never contacted me or sent any threatening letters.

How is it so difficult for other people?

It depends on the person you get I suppose. I've done the same, yet I'm still getting letters about their "investigation" and I've had them knock a few times.

Some areas or some people just don't listen, or seemingly want to hassle others because I assume there is some sort of commission involved.

dowie · 13 Feb 2017 at 20:21

if they're inspecting the thing then I think we can both assume the situation we're talking about it conditional on having either let them in or having been served with a warrant - the point is why put yourself at greater risk or give yourself more hassle?

spoffle · 13 Feb 2017 at 21:29

Because it's literally not a risk. They can't and won't prosecute on that. They have to have proof of you doing it or that you admit it by way of signing their documents.

dowie · 13 Feb 2017 at 22:27

I think you're giving some 'alternative facts' there:

If it didn't matter whether the TV was connected to an aerial or tuned in then why would they bother turning it on in all the youtube clips of searches?

Realistically if they can simply turn it on and get BBC one then you're not going to have much defence - see the offences above re: the TV being installed.

Again it is just pointless hassle, if you don't watch TV then don't have it tuned in and don't leave the aerial connected. It is really bad advice to suggest otherwise and has no benefit to you.

spoffle · 13 Feb 2017 at 22:55

That image says what I've been saying. It's contingent on usage and installation for the purpose of usage without a licence.

Simply having it set up and connected isn't an offence, and that thing you quoted says that.

I'm not advising either, I'm just pointing out the fact that you don't actually have to disconnect it, as it's just a token gesture of "look I'm not watching TV". It literally proves nothing other than you haven't got it connected and set up at this point in time.

Not having it connected isn't going to save you if for example you admit to it by signing their form (which is how they get you) or they record you doing it, which is highly unlikely.

Nasher · 13 Feb 2017 at 22:56

Just remove the aerial sockets and your fine.

Leave an un-connected dish on the side of the house just to troll them

dowie · 13 Feb 2017 at 23:15

spoffle;30500796 said:
That image says what I've been saying. It's contingent on usage and installation for the purpose of usage without a licence.

Simply having it set up and connected isn't an offence, and that thing you quoted says that.

If they can turn on your TV and the first thing they see is BBC1 coming on then yes you're ****ed. The above doesn't tally with what you've said, it contains the word 'or'.

Again why make life difficult for yourself by having an aerial connected? What is the point other than some irrational stubbornness out of a belief that you can. A television receiver must not be installed... would seem to cover having it plugged into an aerial and tuned in.

Malevolence · 14 Feb 2017 at 00:04

If they turn up on your door, just quote the CPR2000 at them and inform them that the TV signals are unsolicited goods.

spoffle · 14 Feb 2017 at 00:05

You're reading it wrong. It says it must not be installed with the intention of watching TV without a license. That isn't then same thing as stating it must not be physically connected. Anyway, as I keep saying as long as you don't let them in and don't give them any info or fill out any form they present you, coming to your doorstep is the furthest it will ever go.

dowie · 14 Feb 2017 at 00:10

Eh? It is clearly displayed above. Installed would mean connected to an aerial and tuned in... like I said before if they can simply turn the thing on and see BBC1 then they've likely got a case.

Pottsey · 14 Feb 2017 at 08:06

Jez said:
Ive watched these too, the attitude of some people amazes me, i would just never have it in me to be the way these people are

I cant really fathom why people get so irate with TVL, as far as i see it you fall into one of three camps;

1) You have a TV license - therefore they wont call on you at all.
2) You dont, but dont need one - therefore why not just let them in and let them tick you off their list?
3) You dont, and should have one - why not calmly refuse entry and avoid TVL wherever possible. If a court summons somehow materialises just accept you've been caught and plead guilty via post and pay the fine.

So which camp do I fall in? I don’t have a TV or a TV license, I let them in and got ticked off their list with a confirmation email I don’t need a license. The TVL then do 12+ investigations on me and up to weekly threats from them. Surly you can fathom why people get so irate with TVL? I have done everything correctly why should I have to deal with the TVL on up to a weekly basis?

Basher said:
There are lots of armchair lawyers who seem to love a good argument. The fast they make their own life harder is often missed by them.

Rubbish its the TVL that is making our life harder and its the TVL that are in the wrong.