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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ignore the TV license people?

275 replies

Fellia · 12/12/2017 12:08

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.

OP posts:
ohfortuna · 12/12/2017 17:02

it's all smoke and mirrors
the legitimacy and feasibility of the license fee is on very thin ice in these times of ubiquitous on demand streaming via multiple devices
the BBC are stuck in a bygone age

Neverender · 12/12/2017 17:03

1)Information which is not exempt information by virtue of section 30 is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice—
(a)the prevention or detection of crime,
(b)the apprehension or prosecution of offenders,
(c)the administration of justice,
(d)the assessment or collection of any tax or duty or of any imposition of a similar nature,
(e)the operation of the immigration controls,
(f)the maintenance of security and good order in prisons or in other institutions where persons are lawfully detained,
(g)the exercise by any public authority of its functions for any of the purposes specified in subsection (2),
(h)any civil proceedings which are brought by or on behalf of a public authority and arise out of an investigation conducted, for any of the purposes specified in subsection (2), by or on behalf of the authority by virtue of Her Majesty’s prerogative or by virtue of powers conferred by or under an enactment, or
(i)any inquiry held under the [F1Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016] to the extent that the inquiry arises out of an investigation conducted, for any of the purposes specified in subsection (2), by or on behalf of the authority by virtue of Her Majesty’s prerogative or by virtue of powers conferred by or under an enactment.

wasthataburp · 12/12/2017 17:05

Never had a tv licence. You don't have to let them in or confirm who you are. They have no power and are knocking on your door on the off chance you do let them in!

upaladderagain · 12/12/2017 17:06

We keep getting more and more insistent letters at work saying that we need a license, despite it being a noisy factory where we don’t even have a radio. They say that if anyone on the premises has an i-phone they could watch tv on it! I just bin them, but this has been going on for over a year, so I expect some big bruiser with a attitude might turn up one day. Bastards!

ohfortuna · 12/12/2017 17:08

as it stands its just daft and unenforceable, I dont have a licence but can easily watch bbc content online...why do they allow that?
I cant watch netflix unless I've paid for a subscription, I dont understand what stops the BBC from implementing a similar system?

stickytoffeevodka · 12/12/2017 17:09

@Neverender, why are you spouting bullshit that goes directly against what the BBC themselves have to say on the matter?

Bored, are we? Hmm

Juicyfruitloop · 12/12/2017 17:10

I only watch Netflix or downloads I told the inspector this, he said it is a communication licence to cover any internet device, phone or radio. This is in Ireland.

I got summoned to Court with up to 1000euro fine. I had to buy a licence from the day of summones and back pay for the 6 months previous when the inspector first called otherwise appear in court charged with not holding licence when inspector first called, I'd have had to pay fine and buy the licence anyway, so cost me 265euro instead.

I refuse to watch RTE filthy robbing scumbags.

SoulStew · 12/12/2017 17:11

Yes, I’ve heard this excuse before about it being exempt. They need the ‘perception’ of detectability to prevent people from not paying. So, in a nutshell, if the public knew the truth, then nobody would pay.

Neverender · 12/12/2017 17:12

I WAS the BBC sticky...ring em if you want to. Yawn...

Neverender · 12/12/2017 17:13

Just because you don't like something, it doesn't make it 'bullshit' Smile

ohfortuna · 12/12/2017 17:15

I got summoned to Court with up to 1000euro fine. I had to buy a licence from the day of summones and back pay for the 6 months previous when the inspector first called otherwise appear in court charged with not holding licence when inspector first called, I'd have had to pay fine and buy the licence anyway, so cost me 265euro instead
was it an actual summons or just a threatening bullshitting letter worded to sound like a summons?

this is bullshit surely?
he said it is a communication licence to cover any internet device, phone or radio

SoulStew · 12/12/2017 17:15

And yet, you still post without giving us anything factual?? Yawn indeed.

Neverender · 12/12/2017 17:17

Do your own research. I've provided the OP with information regarding WOIRA, to help her. Who are you helping? Hmm

Pluckedpencil · 12/12/2017 17:20

It's archaic. I live abroad and would love to buy an iPlayer licence but there is no way so they are working on geoblocking ip addresses instead of investing the money in a global subscription service that would be highly lucative.

Juicyfruitloop · 12/12/2017 17:21

NO I swear an official summonise to attend court, GPo An Post summonised me. When i back paid they sent me a letter to confirm an post will not be giving evidence against me on the fate and it was a strike out.

I'll upload it for proof. I'm Dublin.

SoulStew · 12/12/2017 17:21

Research is impossible due to their refusal to answer questions. I’m pretty satisfied that I know the way of things there tbh, it’s just frustrating being asked to believe utter shite because the bbc want us to be scared of them.

ohfortuna · 12/12/2017 17:23

they use phrases like
enforcement officer
full investigation
interview under caution
it's all bullshit but designed to make you feel as if they are part of the police force

ohfortuna · 12/12/2017 17:23

here are some sample letters:
www.bbctvlicence.com/

JeremyCorbynsBeard · 12/12/2017 17:24

I don't understand people who say they watch BBC programmes and don't buy a license. It's so much cheaper than a Netflix/Sky whatever subscription and the breadth of the programming is vast and of great quality (particularly natural history and children's).

Funding for the BBC also covers making radio programmes too, although you don't have to have a license for that.

And I think that the TV Licensing people DO have lots of powers to come into your property. You should probably check that.

SoulStew · 12/12/2017 17:26

You think wrong then.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 12/12/2017 17:28

the BBC are stuck in a bygone age and it is consecutive governments who keep them there.

As has been explained many, many times before, it is a law, they are obliged to collect it.

That is quite separate from the convenient, repeated behaviour of the monies raised being gifted back to them. It begins with it being the law of the land...

allertse · 12/12/2017 17:31

@JeremyCorbynsBeard Netflix is way cheaper than a TV licence Confused

And the BBC certainly isn't cheaper if you don't watch the BBC endlessly. If I want to watch a series on Netflix, I can pay for a subscription for a month or two and watch it, and then cancel it.
Even a years subscription of netflix is vastly cheaper than a normal TV licence.

I watch about ten programmes a year on the BBC. Thats about £15 per program. Ten programmes on netflix I could watch in a month - £8 subscription so 80p a program. SO much more expensive Hmm
I pay my licence fee, but it does rankle.

They have no powers to enter your home without a warrant.

ihavetogoshoppingnow · 12/12/2017 17:32

My brother got a letter like this, he’s at uni with no tv he rang them and told them and they were fine and haven’t bothered him since

ivykaty44 · 12/12/2017 17:33

Just write to them and
Withdraw rights of access

That way they can’t knock on your door and can’t put or post anything through your letter box

Send it signed

Joe smith

If they then want to get a court order to come into property they have to convince the judge they have evidence you are watching live tv - which obviously they can’t do as you are not watching live tv

Google with drawing access for further information

ohfortuna · 12/12/2017 17:34

They say that if anyone on the premises has an i-phone they could watch tv on it!
thats besides the point, in order for you to need a licence then they have to prove that someone has watched it
it's unenforceable and out of step with modern viewing habits, having to resort the scare tactics and trickery just makes the bbc look like dodgy old scammers

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