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Original poster

TV licencing. Not sure where to post.

41 replies

Twounder1 · 06/04/2018 11:38

So my renewal was due for march but I had no option to pay x amount a month. I only had the option to pay the full amount which I couldn't pay as we have one household income as I can't get maternity allowance/smp and dp is on jsa income allowance? Forgot what his claim is called. So we've fallen on hard times.

I did contact the licensing people to ask for the £12 a month option. They got back to me weeks later, really unhelpful and basically told me to pay the full amount. (I did last year).

It wouldn't bother me if I damn well used it. I don't have a TV downstairs. We mainly watch Netflix or amazon prime which we pay for or we watch things on YouTube through chrome cast.
Iplayer isn't on any of our devices either.
So I've contacted them telling them I no longer need a licence as its unused and I don't need it.

An today I have a letter telling me my home is under investigation..

What can I do?

OP posts:
Booboobooboo84 · 06/04/2018 11:39

You don’t have to do anything. As long as you are not watching live tv and you don’t need a tv licence for any of the services you do access your fine

Booboobooboo84 · 06/04/2018 11:41

You don’t have to let them in unless they have a warrant for entry tell them to fuck right off. Just go on their website double check you don’t need a licence and your fine

shirt · 06/04/2018 11:43

How do you watch Netflix and Prime? On a TV or a laptop?

Lacucuracha · 06/04/2018 11:44

Don't give in and pay for a quieter life!

You don't watch TV, so just make sure there is no aerial cable plugged into your upstairs TV so that if the investigator switches on the TV, there will be no signal.

Also, you can write to the TV Licensing removing their implied right to access your home. This means the investigator is not allowed to talk you into letting him inside your house.

Lacucuracha · 06/04/2018 11:45

How do you watch Netflix and Prime? On a TV or a laptop?

This doesn't matter. You don't need a TV License to watch Netflix or Prime on your TV or laptop.

Original poster
Twounder1 · 06/04/2018 11:45

We watch Netflix and prime etc on xbox, ps3 and chromecast

OP posts:
Amanduh · 06/04/2018 11:46

Doesn’t matter what device you watch them on as long as it’s not a live broadcast. Ignore them, don’t let them in your house.

Springtrolls · 06/04/2018 11:47

My house has been under investigation for years. Every month I get a letter telling me that they are sending someone. They never come.
Then a couple of times a year I get one telling me they are taking me to court.

I rip them up and chuck them in the recycling bin.
Such a waste of resources to try and intimidate people to buy something.

You don't have to let them in. The only way they can come in is if they have a warrant which is incredibly hard to obtain and a handful are issued a year.
So, if they do come treat them like all doorstep salespeople - not interested and close the door because that's all they are, salespeople.

As long as you aren't watching live TV or accessing the iPlayer you don't need a license.

Original poster
Twounder1 · 06/04/2018 11:48

Okay so they have no rights to come into my home? That's a relief. I apologise. I had a baby a few days ago and hormones are everywhere making me panic.
Why all the scare mongering with them? Ridiculous. Just had my heart in my mouth thinking they we're going to make me pay over a grand for nothing.

OP posts:
shirt · 06/04/2018 11:48

The reason I was asking how you watch Netflix etc was to see if you watch on a TV that has been tuned in and is capable of receiving BBC channels.

shirt · 06/04/2018 11:49

You said you don't have a TV downstairs. So is the TV upstairs tuned in?

BubblesAndSquarks · 06/04/2018 11:49

Ive not had one for 5 years and only had one visit near the start. I just showed him that the TV in the living room wasn't connected to the Ariel wire, he said if I did start watch TV then vans used for checking would pick up the signal and it was left at that.
(The vans isn't even true obviously just a scare tactic)

BubblesAndSquarks · 06/04/2018 11:51

FWIW, the guy who came round seemed nice enough too, wasn't intimidating etc.

Springtrolls · 06/04/2018 11:52

They scaremonger to get money. That's all they want, your money. The more people who pay regardless, the better it is for them.

Having the capabilities to receive BBC channels is immaterial. It's the watching any live tv that requires you to have a license.

Original poster
Twounder1 · 06/04/2018 11:52

Well, we do have a TV but the Virgin box hasn't been plugged in for months. We just have the xbox on it that's all. I know some ariels are built in.. Does that make a difference? :/ dp did have a smart TV until he stupidly fell into it and broke it but that's currently in the shed.

OP posts:
Amanduh · 06/04/2018 11:52

I would write to them again, keep a copy, and reiterate you do not need one.
They have no right to entry without a specific warrant, don’t let them in if they knock, but they might give up. Don’t be worried, they’ve not powerful like they make out to be!

Amanduh · 06/04/2018 11:53

It doesn’t matter if you have a built in aerial

Original poster
Twounder1 · 06/04/2018 11:53

TV upstairs no, definitely no signal. Dd likes to change the channels which are none existent and it turns off unless it's on hdmi 1 which the chrome cast is in 😂

OP posts:
DariaG · 06/04/2018 11:54

I had the same letter when informed them that I don't need a TV License, but that was it, no one ever bothered me again, they still send letters each year asking to pay if I'm watching TV (and BBC I-Player so it's not only live broadcast you're not supposed to watch)
I can't really imagine how they would check whether you're watching tv or not, only if your cable is plugged in when they come for a check? Hmm If they ever come

TBH plugged in the cable a couple of times to watch a cheeky basketball game last year Blush

GreenVoyage · 06/04/2018 11:58

My house is 'under investigation despite me completing a declaration form stating I don't need a TV licence.

They've turned up here twice at around 7pm. Both times I told them I don't require a licence. They've asked if they can come in, I say no and close the door. They haven't been for months now.

Lacucuracha · 06/04/2018 12:00

I would ensure that you can't watch any live TV (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky 1, Fox etc).

If an investigator switches on the TV and he can watch those channels, then you would need to pay a fine.

Can you de-tune the TV?

Springtrolls · 06/04/2018 12:00

The aerial doesn't matter. Honestly, it's about watching live tv and iPlayer. Honestly. Doesn't matter how you watch Netflix etc.

Lacucuracha · 06/04/2018 12:01

Sorry, just saw your last post OP.

Then you're totally fine.

Springtrolls · 06/04/2018 12:02

The only way the inspector could turn the tv on to see those channels would be if the inspector came in. And how many people let in salespeople and other nuisance callers?

Magpiemagpie · 06/04/2018 12:12

The only way they will enter your house is if you let them in
Just ignore the letters or do as I do which is put them in the bin for filing 😂
I get one of those letters every month every month it gets filed
Generally they way that they know if you have a TV( not licence ) is when ypu buy a tv from any shop and you fill out the little form with your name and adores on it
.