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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU TV Licence

322 replies

LouBlue1507 · 03/01/2017 10:02

I don't have a TV licence and don't intend to pay for one.

I don't have access to live TV and only watch Netflix, Itv player, 4od and channel 5. Not BBC iplayer.

I have declared this to the TV licence people and now property is under investigation.

AIBU to refuse them entry if they turn up? I've read horror stories of them being bullies, intimidating and even lying!

OP posts:
lovelycuppateas · 03/01/2017 10:22

I never watch live tv, but I do watch iplayer, and I have to say it always makes me very glad I've paid for a TV license. Planet Earth 2 and Fleabag were my favourites this year. If you really don't watch BBC at all that's fair enough. You can't normally access iPlayer from 'abroad' btw.

lovelycuppateas · 03/01/2017 10:24

... of course if you do access the BBC in any way without paying the license, you are letting everyone else subsidise you, which is in my book akin to stealing. It's not just a legal issue but a moral one.

SerialReJoiner · 03/01/2017 10:24

You don't have to let them in. Plenty of people these days have televisions that aren't connected to any cables or satellites. We use ours for Prime and Netflix only. It really isn't a big deal.

I'm sure they'll close this loophole someday; I imagine some suits grind their teeth over households like ours. We were a bit disappointed when iPlayer was no longer accessible to us without a licence, but since we hardly watched it anyway it wasn't a huge loss.

YetAnotherUser · 03/01/2017 10:24

I didn't have a licence for a year or so after i moved, because i didn't watch live TV. I did watch the iPlayer, but this was totally within the rules back then. Never got a visit from the licencing goons back then.

My freesat box stopped working last year and i decided i din't want to replace it, so I've cancelled my licence again. No visit from the goons yet either... If they do turn up I'll explain my situation on the doorstep and I won't let them in, I've seen/heard far too many horror stories and videos on youtube of their tactics.

Interestingly, you are currently allowed to use the iPlayer if you don't have a licence, if you are watching S4C or listening to the radio... Seem the current rules are almost unenforceable.

AnUtterIdiot · 03/01/2017 10:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gem90 · 03/01/2017 10:26

They have NO power unless they go to court to get a warrant and arrive at your your door with police and a warrant. The judge would only issue a warrant if they had solid evidence you were watching/recording live tv, i.e. a photograph of you doing so. Don't let them in, they try to pretend they have the right to come in but they don't! Just shut the door.

MunchMunch · 03/01/2017 10:27

You have the right to refuse access but that could push them towards getting a warrant.

I just wouldn't answer the door and do not answer to confirm any names as if you do confirm they are then "pinning you down" as the contracted name whereas any letters you receive are likely to be "the the occupier" who they can't exactly take to court without a name.

HeadElf · 03/01/2017 10:27

do you watch BBC programmes on Netflix ever? Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Poldark...etc? Or ever listen to BBC Radios?

Apparently you can be fined for watching BBC programmes on Netflix without a TV License

MunchMunch · 03/01/2017 10:28

Also have a look on Facebook, there are a few tv licence resistance type groups who can offer good advice as to what you can do if they ever come knocking.

Gem90 · 03/01/2017 10:30

Munch makes a good point, don't confirm your name to them, either in person or over the phone.

SerialReJoiner · 03/01/2017 10:30

Apparently you can be fined for watching BBC programmes on Netflix
without a TV License

That doesn't make any sense whatsoever. How could that possibly be enforced?

HeadElf · 03/01/2017 10:32

Serial no idea, my MIL wrote me an 'informative letter' about my law breaking when she found out we have no TV License - I only have Netflix on my IPad, no TV and she knew I watched old Planet Earth episodes through it.

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 03/01/2017 10:32

I'm just wondering what power they have if they turn up on your doorstep and you answer the door!

Politely tell them to fuck off. Tell them you don't have a TV and don't use iPlayer so have no need of a TV licence.

Then tell them they are not welcome to call at your property again and shut the door.

Do not engage beyond that. And for the love of Christ, do NOT let them inside the property.

I used to get their twatty letters all the time when I didn't have a TV.

lovelycuppateas · 03/01/2017 10:32

How can the people upthread morally justify avoiding paying for a service they use - ie iPlayer with no licence - then get peeved when they get chased up to pay for the service? I give up.

LaPharisienne · 03/01/2017 10:33

What is the objection to paying for a licence and enjoying the loads of good stuff the BBC has to offer?

Bananas

SerialReJoiner · 03/01/2017 10:34

Why should I pay for something I don't use, never missed and don't intend to use in future?

Apples

allowlsthinkalot · 03/01/2017 10:34

You didn't need a TV licence to watch iplayer until September. So if op watched it "months ago", she didn't need a licence.

wasonthelist · 03/01/2017 10:36

Apparently you can be fined for watching BBC programmes on Netflix without a TV License[sic]

No you can't.

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 03/01/2017 10:36

What is the objection to paying for a licence and enjoying the loads of good stuff the BBC has to offer?

Nothing, if that's what you're doing.

But if you don't watch or listen BBC, or better yet, don't even own a TV, why should you pay for a licence of put up with harrassment from these twats?

myfavouritecolourispurple · 03/01/2017 10:37

Don't open the door. Do you live in a house? If so, stick your head out of an upstairs window when people knock on the door and ask who they are and what they want. If it's the TV licence people tell them you're not opening the door. However, they may then come back with a warrant/police. But maybe not.

If you are sure you're on solid ground not paying for a licence even though you have a TV, ignore their letters.

Lorelei76 · 03/01/2017 10:39

OP I know people who have had several visits because of the licence people not believing them.

it's deeply annoying but I'm not sure what can be done. The situation is the same - a TV set up so that it can't have an input of live TV. Also I thought their remote tech should be able to check that you are not running iplayer.

I wouldn't refuse to answer the door, they will only persistently return and maybe at a less convenient time, but maybe ask them to take pics of your TV set up so they have something to show their seniors etc.

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 03/01/2017 10:39

However, they may then come back with a warrant/police. But maybe not.

They need evidence for a warrant. Courts don't just grant warrants willy nilly.

wasonthelist · 03/01/2017 10:40

There is a lot of nonsense being posted on this thread. I haven't had a TV licence for 3+ years. I don't consume any BBC TV content and never watch live TV. I am 100% legal.
I would pay for radio content but that option isn't open.

nauticant · 03/01/2017 10:41

Or ever listen to BBC Radios?

A TV licence isn't needed for this. So you can use the BBC iPlayer for catch up BBC radio so long is you are not using it for watching TV.

I suppose a case could be made out for a moral responsibility if consuming BBC radio content but sod that.

FittonTower · 03/01/2017 10:41

I have a TV licence, very happy to pay and tbink it's good value.
I do get really annoyed with the TV licence enforcement people though. I've had 2 periods of my life when I've had a licence, in my name at the address they were writing too, and had letter after letter about needing licence. The first time it happened I rang up after every letter and explained etc and the letters continued. They were never that bothered that I had I one, never understood why tge constant letters were winding me up and they kept coming. The second time I just ignored all the letters. Neither time did the threats of court turn into anything other than threats