To ask for your advice with TV licence?

[WinterIsHereJon]

We moved house a couple of weeks ago, and have been in the process of updating our address, switching utilities etc. Have tried a couple of times to sort tv license but the website crashed every time I got to the payment page. Meant to call them but with decorating, poorly DC and work I hadn't yet

So this evening the door knocks, TV license man. I explained straight away about the website problem, which he was aware of. He went through is form which was basically a caution, "anything you do say may be given in evidence". He was quite aggressive and told me I will probably receive a court summons within the next few weeks, fine of £1000 but due to the circumstances (only just having moved in) I may be lucky and just be fined half!! Is this likely? I know it's ultimately my fault but it's been two bloody weeks! He was trying to trick me into admitting we'd lived there longer (So you said you moved in in early October?) and asked my DD what channels we watch! Feeling really stressed and anxious now, am I likely to receive a fine/summons?

[VeryBitchyRestingFace]

It won't help now but you should have shut the door in his face and not engaged.

Why did you admit to having a TV?

If you are called to court, explain the situation to the judge. Have you taken photos of the gubbed website as evidence?

Did he advise you of alternatives to pay the licence given the site keeps crashing?

[Squirmy65ghyg]

Fucking wanker! Write a very strongly worded letter of complaint! 2 weeks?!

[Justwhy]

Did you have a TV licence in your old house? I wouldn't worry too much. You can prove you have only just moved. Very bad luck though. Next time tell him to shove it up his arse through a closed door of course!

[maddiemookins16mum]

I am really surprised they were so quick, did you take his details and check he was legit? They write to you first anyway and don't just pitch up after two weeks in a new house. Phone them and check if you've "officially" had a visit.

[worldsworstchildren]

This happened to me. Moved house and new baby within month. Was fined £200. Sorry but very likely you will be too.

[WinterIsHereJon]

He didn't actually ask me, he could hear the tv and asked my DD (4) what we were watching! Didn't think to screen shot the web page at the time but a quick look on twitter shows lots of people saying the same.

[WinterIsHereJon]

We've not had a letter, although the house was empty for about two months before we moved in so the landlord may well have picked one up, will check with him.

[rhuhbarb4]

I had the exact same issue when I moved into my house TV licence man knocked on the door gave me a caution blah blah blah. He also asked my children what they were watching on television. He blanked about getting fined and everything I setold the new licence up with him there and then and never received a fine so there are good stories too I just hope your lucky like me.

[bloodyteenagers]

Put in a complaint about him.
They aren't allowed to ask your child anything. And the fact he heard noise in the background doesn't proof you were actually watching tv. You could have been watching a DVD, Netflix, Amazon prime or YouTube, and all perfectly legit non license activities.

[Rattusn]

You should never engage.

They are aggressive, and get paid commission based on how many fines they issue. It's for this reason that we (quite legitimately) don't have a license. The whole system is wrong.

In future, close the door, or better yet write to them saying you are withdrawing the implied right of access to your front garden.

[Rattusn]

To answer your question: wait to see what happens. Don't agree to any further dialogue without legal advice.

[Livelovebehappy]

He was only doing his job. He probably hears a different tale every house he visits, and so has to treat everyone as if they are deliberately avoiding paying because, let's be honest, most of them are. To him, you're probably just another person trying to get out of paying.

[londonrach]

I found getting a tv licence when you first move in without internet access vvvvv hard. You need a number but you dont get that until after you move in, mine is due up soon and considering doing it monthly rather than trying to local a pp place which in my town was only location across the bridge no where near the shops. Silly system.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

I assume you have proof of having the Tv licence at your old address and you can use this as mitigating circumstances to show it was only 2 weeks and also get screenshots of twitter reports of site down as further evidence that you had attempted to purchase a licence but couldn't.

You may be lucky.

[c3pu]

Ah, the tv licencing goons 😂

Just don't talk to them, they have no power if you don't engage with them. Apparently they don't like being filmed, so that's one way of scaring them away.

I legitimately don't have a tv licence, sadly I've never had a visit yet.

[YelloDraw]

Why the fuck did you let your four year old talk to him? And why did you engage?

[ShowOfHands]

One turned up here as we were moving in! He was lovely though and we talked about Blackadder.

Unkind to assume they're all the same.