To ignore the TV license people?

[Fellia]

So the TV licensing people knocked on my door at half 8 on Saturday morning.

I was in bed and didn’t answer but I’m expecting them to come back.

They put a red letter through my door saying I am watching tv illegally and they can “help me watch legally.”

I’m finding this absolutely ridiculous. I do not watch tv apart from Netflix/DVD’s and the one tv I do have isn’t connected to actual channels (sorry, I don’t know how to explain this properly as I don’t know much about it)

But the fact is I do not watch regular TV. I have written to them, called them numerous times to explain this and I had a visit last year (at a different property) where I also explained this.

AIBU to just ignore them if they keep coming to my door? I’m sick of being harassed by them for no reason.

Just ignore the Fuckers don't let them in don't speak to them
Plenty of info on the net about exactly what your rights are if you want to research it

If you don't watch tv or use iplayer you don't need a licence, BUT I do think people should be aware it doesn't just pay for bbc channels, it also pays for radio broadcasting, public service broadcasting and local channels

But yes they are too aggressive in pursuing, I had a friend who didn't even own a radio let alone a tv and he was pure hounded they just didn't believe someone never watched tv or listened to radio. Eventually he got a lawyer involved and got a pathetic apology and they stopped coming round but it should NEVER have got to that stage.

MissTeri I don't know if what you got was a summons, but the courts certainly do prosecute people for licence evasion, under the Communications act 2003, s.363. They fine people and it goes on their criminal record.

I wonder why it is still possible to watch iPlayer without signing in with your licence number?
Presumably because if they made that possible then one can sign in with your friends licence number..ie we could share a licence between various households just like you can with Netflix

Also watch out for electric/gas meter readers. Some areas are under contract where the same people are the ones who are delivering letters and checking premises for TV licences! So, basically, they're getting in your house under false pretences, i.e. come in to read the meter, and probably having a look around for TVs etc. The terms of their contract are that they should come on different occasions, i.e. come back the next day with the TV licence letter! If you have to have meter readings come into your house, best to close your internal doors first to stop them snooping.

You have to be firm and confident when dealing with them.

practice saying "By your own rules, I do not need a TV licence. This is unlikely to change, but if it does I will let YOU know. Do not contact me again, I will consider it harassment and I will take the matter further, Thank You SO much."

Dismiss them. Don't deal with them again. They are the biggest legal racket on the 21st century

We have a smart TV. Kids watch YouTube and Netflix. Don't have an aerial plugged in or sky or anything. Guy came last week and I told him that. He said can I come in and check I said no actually. He said well I will be back next week and I said that's fine, if my husband's in you can come in and check but I don't feel comfortable having you in my house when I'm alone.

Now awaiting his next arrival.

Also watch out for electric/gas meter readers. Some areas are under contract where the same people are the ones who are delivering letters and checking premises for TV licences! So, basically, they're getting in your house under false pretences, i.e. come in to read the meter, and probably having a look around for TVs etc
Thanks for the heads up I had no idea 🤤

I don't even open the door, I look through the spy hole ask them what they want then I just say sorry it's not convenient

You do not have to deal with them.
You do not have to let them in.
You do not have to talk to them.
You do not have to open the door to them.
They have no right to come into your house.
EVEN if you were illegally watching tv, all of the above still applies.

What if you have a TV but don't use it for watching regular TV? Can they still insist that you get a license?
As long as your TV is not connected to an aerial or receiving device (satellite etc) you don't need a licence.
Untrue. If you do not watch live TV or iPlayer, you don't need a TV licence. It doesn't matter if it's connected.
It's also irrelevant if it's connected or not if you don't let them in!

I bloody hate TV licencing. I've dealt with so much shit from them over the years when I didn't have a tv licence. Their tactics are outrageous and they will never step foot into my property.

There's no other crime where you are expected to continually prove your innocence, and be harrassed if you don't comply.

Because it never is convenient I'm always doing something and I don't want to interrupted and have to let a random stranger into my flat let a random stranger into my flat, besides I'll be wearing weird sloppy 'loungewear' that I don't want to be seen in, I'm sorry not gonna go through the hassle of getting changed
So it's a big fat no fuck off from me

however it is perfectly possible to watch if you don't have a licence and the BBC have no way of knowing whether you watch it or not

Except this is unethical (using a service you aren't prepared to pay for) and also risky. People do get prosecuted and convicted.

If you don't watch, then agreed, you don't need a licence.

Why is it just presumed that everyone has a TV. There’s more to life!
But you do watch TV, just only through other avenues (netflix and DVDs).

I just think it is a silly way to collect tax and if we as a country agree that the bbc is a national institution that should be non commercial and supported through tax dollars than it should come from tax rather than the license fee. Plenty of people pay for schools who don't use them, benefits who don't use them, care etc so I don't really see why the beeb has to go this round-about way to collect their income.

Pop i know, I just mean there’s a lot of people who don’t, but it’s just presumed that they do.

I agree with your post though.

As the licence relates to the BBC, surely you could argue (if caught) that you were watching ITV etc 😂😂 I don't get why they have these powers to make you pay when you may not even be watching the thing you are paying for.

'They' are capita, and are incentivised on income.

TV is irrelevant. If you don't need a licence according to the up to date rules on the TV licence website, fill in the online form to declare so.

I’d love them to come by mine trying their bullshit.....but, I suspect I’m on a blacklist after laughing in their lying faces in the past.

You need to get any TV de-tuned. If it can receive a signal, you need a licence. I used to work for The BBC.

De-tuned!? Puh-lease. Can you confirm that the detector vans are bullshit never?

come in to read the meter, and probably having a look around for TVs etc
Surely that isn't a worry unless you are watching TV without a licence.

I see it as a sport.
I’ve never lived with TV. They pursue us wherever we live - you’d have thought they’d have known by now! I once let a female one in, before computer based TV and made her look in every cupboard in our house ‘just in case’ there was a TV in there! She couldn’t wait to get out!
Be polite and firm and enjoy being one of a persecuted minority!

They've been writing to me for nearly 2 years now, threatening to visit. I have sent the form back saying we didn't need one (derelict house being renovated, no electricity let alone a TV!) But am now just ignoring them.
I'm kind of hoping they come round, if they drive down to the house in this weather they won't be getting back out again and I'm not towing them!

It’s 2017 & we have to pay a stealth tax to the BBC to fund its hidden political agenda, which has been shown to be institutionally embedded. It’s a bloody scandal.

We should all stop paying it & smash the system.

You need to get any TV de-tuned. If it can receive a signal, you need a licence. I used to work for The BBC.

LOL @Neverender
Please stop spreading misinformation.

From the TV licence website:

You need to be covered by a TV Licence to
watch or record live TV programmes on any channel
download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

You do not need a TV licence to own a TV. Just like it is not an offence to own a car without a driving licence.

In any case, in my flat there are about 7 devices that could theoretically be used to watch live TV. Only one of these is a TV.
All are digital, none can be "de-tuned", which went out with the ark.