TV Licence Super Thread

[Combat squirrel]

Its getting close to that. I made an official complaint today and withdraw implied right of access so next time they turn up its both harassment and trespassing. They have one last chance to stop before I take it further. At one point in 2016 it got as bad as weekly threats from them.

Absolutely - I cancelled mine again recently - simply because there is NOTHING on TV now - its all utter rubbish.

What infuriates me about them is your bulling issue - but I know my rights, I will literally just not let anyone in should they visit - even with a police presence they are not allowed to enter (cops can only be there to 'keep the peace') - they are only allowed to enter with a court order - which obviously they cannot get because a tv license IS AN OPTIONAL THING IN LIFE WE DON'T NEED - but they act like its 'law'.

 

[=XDC=FluphyBunny]

I am going to have to start an ebay account selling tin foil in bulk.

 

[Brenn47]

Its getting close to that. I made an official complaint today and withdraw implied right of access so next time they turn up its both harassment and trespassing. They have one last chance to stop before I take it further. At one point in 2016 it got as bad as weekly threats from them.

The usual outcome for removing their implied rights of access is the delightful BBC come back with a search warrant and a couple of police in tow, although very rare, it does happen. That's why you shouldn't give them any information. Can't search a house if they don't know who lives there.

 

[Pottsey]

I am going to have to start an ebay account selling tin foil in bulk.

What's that got to do with anything? It sounds like you are in the wrong thread.

The usual outcome for removing their implied rights of access is the delightful BBC come back with a search warrant and a couple of police in tow, although very rare, it does happen. That's why you shouldn't give them any information. Can't search a house if they don't know who lives there.

As I understand it, a legal occupier is not required by law to submit their name when removing right of access. I didn’t give them my name, only my address. We will see what they come back with. Anyway if they do come with a search warrant I will just take them to court as that is just further evidence against them.

 

[Pottsey]

From a quick dig...

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/freedom-of-information-act-foi-AB14

Personal information

"Under the Data Protection Act 1998 you have the right to inquire of any organisation whether they hold your personal data, and to see a copy of that information. If you would like details of the information held about you by TV Licensing, then you will need to make a Subject Access Request or SAR and pay a £10 fee. Data protection enquiries relating to information held by TV Licensing can be made to the Data Protection Manager via the following channels:

By email at [email protected].

By post to the Data Protection Manager, TV Licensing, Darlington, DL98 1TL.

Like the right to information under the FOI Act, the right under the Data Protection Act is subject to exemptions which may affect our ability to supply information; each case will be dealt with on an individual basis."

The down side is that no doubt you'd have to provide a name & not just an address, but that'd probably be known once you start action against them.

Worse, the fact that you have to pay them £10 to get what info' they hold on you/your place of residence...

"There is a fee of £10. For Data Protection Act requests you will also need to supply copies of two forms of identification to ensure that we are only supplying personal information to the person it pertains to. To make a request for information, or to enquire about the Data Protection Act please contact:"

Sheesh! Lazy bugrits.

"We will respond within 40 calendar days of receipt of a valid SAR."

Thanks, hopefully I don't need to go down that path. At the moment we just want them to leave us alone.

 

[Vanilla]

They usually get guilty verdicts on people not turning up to court. They do batches on hundreds of cases per day, not turning up means you're presumed guilty whether you are or not.

...and often they don't immediately back down when you agree to go to court as my mum found. This may have changed though! 7 years ago at least

 

[Vanilla]

Although it's been many years since I had anything to do with TV licensing I still get the constant letters and even the ones with court dates circled on the front to show 'they are serious'.

They are always addressed to the occupier. I guess a quick read of the last few pages has taught me to never give them my name.

 

[Brenn47]

Why should they back down, it's the BBC and they can spend as much as they like. They've got an almost unlimited supply of public money to play with.

 

[dowie]

The usual outcome for removing their implied rights of access is the delightful BBC come back with a search warrant and a couple of police in tow, although very rare, it does happen. That's why you shouldn't give them any information. Can't search a house if they don't know who lives there.

fortunately if you live in a high crime rate area of London then the local police have much better things to do and won't often be able to spare two officers for a TV license related warrant

also, in order to issue a warrant they generally need to have both your name and some reason for issuing it - more likely to end up on the receiving end of one if you're some chav who has kicked off at them in the past etc..

If you're hardly ever in then even a warrant isn't going to help much, the police are very very unlikely to want to force entry for them

 

[Fishbait]

fortunately if you live in a high crime rate area of London then the local police have much better things to do and won't often be able to spare two officers for a TV license related warrant

also, in order to issue a warrant they generally need to have both your name and some reason for issuing it - more likely to end up on the receiving end of one if you're some chav who has kicked off at them in the past etc..

If you're hardly ever in then even a warrant isn't going to help much, the police are very very unlikely to want to force entry for them

Police might not want to, but I wouldn't put it past capita muppets into pushing them into doing so.

Had a look on the youtubes ages ago & again tonight, there's loads of folk have recorded capita turning up, seeing they're being recorded & doing a 180 & leaving.

If they were in the right & oh so innocent, why wouldn't they just stay?

Some of the public were overly verbal, but I guess when you're sick of getting threats of court action, it gets to you.

Saw one clip where capita had turned up with a court order/warrent & two coppers. They kept asking for the persons name, so I guess they can get an order without knowing who they're even searching.

The guy refused to give name, said to his misses not to too. Capita then told coppers he was obstructing the process, so copper said they had to or charges would ensue.

Dude didn't have live tv, only recorded, so no charges pressed, except for obstructing, in where he got fined a couple hundred.

Seems you're damned if you do, damned if you don't

 

[dowie]

Police might not want to, but I wouldn't put it past capita muppets into pushing them into doing so.

it isn't going to happen, if you're not in the police are not going to break the door down for some TV license people to come and have a look at your TV

Dude didn't have live tv, only recorded, so no charges pressed, except for obstructing, in where he got fined a couple hundred.

Seems you're damned if you do, damned if you don't

I think I've seen that one, he was a bit of a chav and was quite loud/confrontational. Given that he was filming the whole thing and they had a warrant then he could have easily just stayed calm and gone through the whole process quite easily. They were muppets though and didn't know the law as they were under the impression that having the means to receive TV via a laptop would require a license - in which case everyone with a smartphone or laptop/PC with internet access would require one.

 

[muon]

They must have known his name. That would be why they were asking so they knew they had the right person.

 

[Fishbait]

Yep, states that they asked for him by name (before recording starts).
capita guy stood with foot/leg blocking door, I'd be throwing anyone out at that point.

He definitely was chavving it up but I imagine after threats of courts for so long, you'd tend to be over miffed at it all.

Seems he'd been fined before too, didn't hear why.

 

[Brenn47]

That's shocking the BBC muppet just barges his way in and then threatens the home owner the police will arrest him!

The 700 quid fine seems a bit steep, usual first offence is £100.

Also having the home owners name seems to help TVL get the warrant, that's why you should never give your name to the TVL.

 

[Nasher]

Even if they get a warrant, that only grants the police access. You can still make the TVL guy wait outside, since they are just members of the public with no powers. So they still can't "inspect" your equipment after going through all that hassle and costs.

 

[Fishbait]

Apparently it allows capita goons access, not the police. Police are there just to make sure no breach of peace etc, which is surely broken when capita force entry to premises.

http://tv-licensing.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/tv-licensing-search-warrants-prevention.html?m=1

"6. Executing the warrant.
TV Licensing policy is that warrants must be executed by at least two members of staff, one of whom will normally be the Area Manager. The police are normally present to prevent a breach of the peace, but it is not their job to assist with any search for, or testing of, television receivers. The warrant is granted to TV Licensing and gives them the authority to enter, search for and test any television receiver found there. Legally speaking the police do not need to be there. In exceptional circumstances TV Licensing will executed a warrant without a police presence, as long as there are no risks associated with the property or occupier.

The warrant technically allows forced entry to the property, but it is TV Licensing policy never to do that. Mistakenly forcing entry to a TV-free property would be a disaster for TV Licensing, which even its massed army of PR harlots would struggle to cast in a positive light. If TV Licensing failed in its first attempt to execute the warrant, it would simply keep returning until it successfully gained entry or the warrant expired."


Just seen this. Very suspicious, even the copper keeps trying to sneak entrance with his "I'll just go put this on your table".

 

[dowie]

Yep, states that they asked for him by name (before recording starts).
capita guy stood with foot/leg blocking door, I'd be throwing anyone out at that point.

He definitely was chavving it up but I imagine after threats of courts for so long, you'd tend to be over miffed at it all.

Not sure how many threat's he'd have had unless you count the standard letters they send to everyone but it was silly of him to start getting worked up like that. He was in compliance with the law and was filming the whole thing so could easily have just shown them his set up and done it all calmly. They were obviously incorrect in their statements about how the law applied though he ended up getting fined for obstruction simply though his chivvy behaviour.

 

[Droolinggimp]

I have just watched a couple of Youtube video standoffs. Cringeworthy on both parties, TVL goons and residents.

 

[Jez]

I have just watched a couple of Youtube video standoffs. Cringeworthy on both parties, TVL goons and residents.

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.

 

[robj20]

Anyone had them come in and check the equipment. What do they check for. We have no aerials fitted, but iplayer is installed on the TV just not used.
I did the online form saying we dont need a license over a year ago, left my name off. Haven't heard a thing since.