TV licencing. Not sure where to post.

[Twounder1]

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?

They don't listen to you even if you inform them, so it's best to ignore/don't speak or respond to them in any way.

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 You don't have to give this information either.

So if I have a tv but only watch shows from Amazon, Netflix and other (less legal) online sources but never BBC or live I don't need a tv license?
If anyone ever came to the door they would be able to see the tv. It's wall mounted and hard to not notice through the window next to the door so I've kept paying for a tv licence. DP occasionally watches stuff on BBC iplayer but it's a few times a year at most and he could easily not bother (and watch it elsewhere).

I’m fairly sure you can write them a letter removing their implied right of access and that then they aren’t even allowed up your front path/to knock on your front door. They won’t have any evidence that you have a TV. If they do come and knock (even if you don’t contact them) you do not have to let them in.

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?

Lots of people who had no intention of letting in the investigator to let him/her in. Not everybody is assertive enough to say no firmly.

Or lots of people don't know they don't have to let them in.

It's helpful to tell they don't have to let them in, but what will happen if they do. No point in leaving a tuned in, working TV that can play live channels if you're not using it.

If you don't watch live broadcasts or anything at all on iPlayer you don't need a TV licence. The regulations changed recently regarding iPlayer, so if you do watch it you still need a licence.

So if I have a tv but only watch shows from Amazon, Netflix and other (less legal) online sources but never BBC or live I don't need a tv license?

Yes, if you have a TV but not watching any live TV (BBC, Channel 4, Sky 1 etc or BBC iPlayer then you don't need one. You can watch ITV Hub, All4, Channel 5 on demand players without a license.

I'd happily show an inspector that the tv doesn't work unless connected to a laptop. We just plug in an HDMI cable and then it just works like a screen for the laptop. I personally don't see the issue with letting them in.

Although the house is often a tip and the bedroom (which I'm sure they would want to check) is the worst.

Wanted to add, thanks for the help. Hopefully it helps OP as well.

Sucks that they try to use scare tactics and tell lies though (like they have a right to access the house to check) etc. That they shouldn't do.

you have told them you don't watch TV?
Could they still chase for the time between?
You absolutely do not have to let them in, they have no right of access.

" I personally don't see the issue with letting them in."

because it is a gross invasion of your privacy?
because it is not legal?

etc etc

You can just ring them and tell them you are removing their implied right to access your property.
They do accept this over the phone.

The TV Licencing people surprised me this year. Our licence has always been in my name and I renew on line. Last year my husband turned 75 but I forgot he would be entitled to a free licence so paid up as normal.

This year I realised and though I would get it altered. Guess who forgot? I got an email, your license runs out at midnight. So I ignored it and applied for one in my husbands name. Return email said he would hear within 3 weeks if accepted. Shit, I thought, now we haven't got a license.

Imagine our surprise when three weeks or so later, we receive a letter with my husband's licence and a cheque for a full refund of last years payment.

Sucks that they try to use scare tactics and tell lies though (like they have a right to access the house to check) etc. That they shouldn't do.

There have been a few threads where people have paid the TV License even though they don't watch live TV. They do it because of the fear of a fine, which does suck.

or put a sign on your door saying 'no implied right of access'.
they are cheeky fuckers.

Imagine our surprise when three weeks or so later, we receive a letter with my husband's licence and a cheque for a full refund of last years payment.

They are very good at that sort of thing. When I moved out of a place, they issued a refund automatically without my asking.