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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Declared that I don't require a TV licence. What's expected if they inspect my property?

165 replies

YoGatoradeMeBitch · 01/08/2015 14:42

I've done a declaration online to say i don't need a TV licence since we only use Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. Its says online they may come and check. Anyone had this?

I don't mind them coming to check but I'm wondering how invasive it is? Will they want to check rooms for tvs etc? Really don't want a stranger in my bedroom!

OP posts:

acatcalledjohn · 01/08/2015 15:23

We've surprisingly not had a single inspection in 18 months. We have a TV but no live connection and we've not declared it either.

KungFuhrer · 01/08/2015 15:24

I can't wait until my licence is up for renewal next April, I've stopped watching TV and can't wait to stop paying for it

You can cancel it and ask for a reimbursement. (I did it a couple of months ago)

Becca19962014 · 01/08/2015 15:32

I declared I didn't have a tv years ago. You wouldn't believe the problems ive had. Threatening letters were the just the start. At one point a mental health professional contacted them to the explain due to my mental health issues I won't allow anyone in if I am alone (I only have a bedroom) so they needed to go through her and they said no way would there be a warning about turning up as I/she could hide it. They told her I had one really as I had been detected by a van (not only do I not have one, but my radio picked up the van (radio signal very very bad - I get radio cymru, taxis and the TV detector van only, and I heard them say clearly 'no TV in room x') and how over 80% of people had been caught lying about not having one so its very likely I do as well.

Latest letter told me if I owned a TV, mobile phone, or a tablet I must have a licence. It was one of their red threatening letters, threats of court action and all sorts.

I don't even live somewhere you can get a TV signal without satellite equipment (one of the reasons I got rid of it) but nope, they're determined I do really

In hindsight I think the mental health professional just made things worse for me because now they are aware of my vulnerabilities and what they specifically are - once I signed to get them to go away and it turned out I had signed a direct debit form, but all the details were covered.

It really annoys and upsets me.

bloodyteenagers · 01/08/2015 15:36

even with police present, they cannot force their way in your home.

IAmNotAMindReader · 01/08/2015 15:36

They are absolutely out to get you.

We cancelled ours sure of what we now know, that you only needed it to cover live broadcasts. DH some months down the line rings them to check only to be told oh no you do need one if you watch tv at all and helpfully offered to sign him up for one to avoid the fine.

He was smug and thought they were very nice and helpful until the court proceedings and fine notice dropped on the doorstep. They said he had admitted to using a tv without a licence so we had no leg to stand on. Paid fine and licence till we moved then after double checking our legal position cancelled reciting their own legislation back to them.
They send people round regularly. I let them in and they go away and say I shouldn't hear anything for at least 18 months. However we do quite soon after as they then decide we have moved and start sending their threatening letters to the occupier. Ringing and telling them we haven't moved triggers another visit and so on.

I think in our area they are really hot on trying to ensure everyone has one. Somewhere in our regional department is a manager on a crusade for promotion I think

19lottie82 · 01/08/2015 15:37

All they are are glorified doorstep sales people. If they request entry, just say "no thank you" and close the door. As already advised, they require a legal warrant to enter, which they won't have.

19lottie82 · 01/08/2015 15:39

The van that picks up signals is a scare tactic, they don't even exist.

coff33addict · 01/08/2015 15:41

you don't have to let them in. I don't watch/own a TV and have no licence. I refuse to engage with them and don't let them in. it is a matter of principle. I don't watch TV, I don't use their service and have no business with them and neither do they have any business with me. unless they have a search warrant I will refuse to let these bullies in.

Puffinella · 01/08/2015 15:41

I did this, and the guy came out to inspect. He was very friendly, had a quick look, saw that the tv was hidden behind the Christmas tree (it was December!), and was happy enough. I offered to turn it on to show that it wasn't tuned in, but he said not to worry. He put me down as not needing a licence or any more visits. No hassle at all.

19lottie82 · 01/08/2015 15:42

"If they suspect you are trying to get out of paying it they can return with a police officer or warrant to check the tvs in your house, I know this because it happened to my in laws."

No, they can't just return with the police and enter your property. Even the police require a warrant to enter your property without your permission.

Even if they went to court, they would need to PROVE to the judge that they have a reasonable reason to believe you're watching without a license. You refusing entry isn't enough alone.

How did they manage to get a warrant to enter your in laws home? They must have had pretty solid evidence that they were watching live TV without a license?

bloodyteenagers · 01/08/2015 15:47

If the vans existed and where able to detect then this would be used as evidence in court.
It's not.
Evidence comes from licensing knocks on the door evader panics, not knowing they don't have to talk to them and admit having a TV.
Or again, not knowing rights lets the person in.

Some agents will do their job correctly if in and check the tv isn't receiving live TV. Some won't and will see a TV and that's it.

If you do let them in, video record the entire interaction.

KungFuhrer · 01/08/2015 15:47

You can cancel and claim the money back that you payed for the remaining months of the licence
^^just wanted to let everyone know.

Coffeemarkone · 01/08/2015 15:49

" If you do let them in, video record the entire interaction. "

Brilliant advice

RonnieRonRon · 01/08/2015 15:49

We had a visit which was all very polite and brief. Only looked in the living room at the tv from afar. I explained how it wasn't plugged into the aerial and that was it.

BertieBotts · 01/08/2015 15:53

They have never ever had detector vans, it is total bollocks.

I'm not really sure why they are allowed to get away with such nonsense. I had one read the police speech off to me once. "You do not have to say anything however it may harm your defence..." (etc).

Becca19962014 · 01/08/2015 15:54

Maybe the vans don't exist anymore? If that's the case it's a recent thing here at least. Ive seen one in the last year around here.

Coffeemarkone · 01/08/2015 15:55

" I had one read the police speech off to me once. "You do not have to say anything however it may harm your defence..." (etc) "

yes bertie one of them read that out to me once.
I said 'you cant say that' and he said 'I can'.
It is fucking outrageous, actually. I do not even want the BBC stations in my house. Any other service provider only bills the people who want their service but the BBc is some special arm of the government.

strayduck · 01/08/2015 15:56

The vans do work, and so do the hand held ones however when I worked for them we were told that the evidence was not admissible in a court. We were told they only had 7 vans so we're just used as a deterant. Just a drive around an area can get people to buy their license. The BBC contract out the work and I think Capita are responsible still, there will be targets for thme to reach hence the bully boy tactics.

I believe the only way they can force entry is to get a court warrant.

bloodyteenagers · 01/08/2015 16:03

It's not allowed in court because it's bollocks. If the evidence existed it would be allowed. If the evidence had been gained legally, it would be allowed

Even court ordered you don't have to let them in. You can let the accompanying police officer in to check. But the bullies nope.

BertieBotts · 01/08/2015 16:04

It's bollocks. Please explain to me exactly how the van detects a signal going to a specific house and I will believe you. Otherwise I stand by: It's bollocks. Just made up to frighten people.

BertieBotts · 01/08/2015 16:06

"Some aspects of the equipment have been developed in such secrecy that engineers working on specific detection methods work in isolation - so not even they know how the other detection methods work."

LOL. Okay then. In other words "We have a list of all addresses who don't own a licence and we look at you and guess if you're the type of person to evade or if you're a hippy type who doesn't own a TV"

Coffeemarkone · 01/08/2015 16:07

of course it is bollocks - anyone remember those scary ads in the 70s or 80s about the 'TV detector van' coming to get you?
What an absolute of old tosh.

Coffeemarkone · 01/08/2015 16:07

"load obvs

BertieBotts · 01/08/2015 16:08

And anyway even if they did work surely they would have had to update them all after the digital switchover! Hence, bollocks.

Goshthatsspicy · 01/08/2015 16:08

The vans are no more use than an ice cream van.
They have never worked. All those scare tactic ads were a con.
Think about it... They wouldn't have had the technology.

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