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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

TV Licence- AIBU?

217 replies

Namechange10002468 · 11/06/2021 20:53

Name change as I'm sharing some personal financial background here.

OK- so in October last year we really had to tighten our belt due to DH redundancy. We basically cut everything that wasn't absolute necessity. We could only afford to keep one TV based/entertainment thing and decided to keep Netflix at 5.99/month over TV licence which was £13.25/month and at the time we hadn't watched anything live or on BBC iplayer for 5 months.
We are now thankfully in a slightly better place with finances- although nowhere near where we used to be- and would like to renew our licence so DCs can have Cbeebies and also so DH can watch all the football. We logged on expecting to be able just renew and go back to paying the £13/month. Except the website refuses to allow us to renew on any payment option other than a £159 annual payment.
AIBU to think that, considering so many people since Covid have found themselves in financially difficult times, it is really unfair of the BBC/TV licencsing people not to be offering affordable payment options for those wishing to purchase a license? I actually feel so angry. We do not have £159 to give up front and to be able to do so would mean other bills going unpaid, less food in the shopping for the next couple of months or going into a overdraft that charges interest.
Interested to know others' thoughts on this because right now I want to fire off a stinking complaint to them.

OP posts:
SappysCurry · 15/06/2021 18:13

YouTube is fine !
I wasn’t aware it live streamed actually but that isn’t a broadcast as far a know…

SappysCurry · 15/06/2021 18:15

Yes - streaming them rather than watching live broadcasts but I don’t think for instance Netflix does live broadcasting, cannot say that for certain though have not had Netflix for a few months now.
I know that SkyGo and Now have live channels though

cocoloco987 · 15/06/2021 21:39

You declare you don't need a licence then they leave you alone for 2 years til that declaration needs renewed. If you don't do the declaration then yes they will hound you. I barely watch tv at all and when I do it's usually Netflix, prime, stv player etc although the occasional times I have watched, my tv didn't explode or anything!

GreenCrayon · 15/06/2021 21:47

@cocoloco987

You declare you don't need a licence then they leave you alone for 2 years til that declaration needs renewed. If you don't do the declaration then yes they will hound you. I barely watch tv at all and when I do it's usually Netflix, prime, stv player etc although the occasional times I have watched, my tv didn't explode or anything!
If only that was true. I made the declaration and yet they have still sent me about 4 letters and I've had a visit. They openly admit they come and check as they don't trust that you are being truthful.
R0BERTA · 15/06/2021 21:54

I've not declared, even once, in the 11+ years I've been LLF.

I'm delighted to have cost them so much money, in letters and visits. Smile

SappysCurry · 15/06/2021 22:08

@GreenCrayon

That doesn’t surprise me
Just ignore them if they are disturbing you at home, they have absolutely no rights whatsoever

cocoloco987 · 15/06/2021 22:15

I've never had a visit and been doing it for the last 6 years. It's maybe area dependant where it's worth their while I guess. Anyway don't let them in and don't sign anything. Unless they see you through the window watching tv they can't prove a thing if you don't admit to it (maybe why they don't bother here - city and most people live in flats). And they do not have tracker vans. They have no clue you are watching it unless they see you or you tell them.

SappysCurry · 15/06/2021 22:20

@cocoloco987

👍👍👍

BettyBurntBuns · 16/06/2021 02:58

@cocoloco987

I've never had a visit and been doing it for the last 6 years. It's maybe area dependant where it's worth their while I guess. Anyway don't let them in and don't sign anything. Unless they see you through the window watching tv they can't prove a thing if you don't admit to it (maybe why they don't bother here - city and most people live in flats). And they do not have tracker vans. They have no clue you are watching it unless they see you or you tell them.
Can they come on your property?
Flaxmeadow · 16/06/2021 05:38

Still a YouTube classic

cocoloco987 · 16/06/2021 07:51

Can they come on your property?

Only if you let them although I think some will see an unlocked door as an invitation

BettyBurntBuns · 16/06/2021 22:36

@cocoloco987

Can they come on your property?

Only if you let them although I think some will see an unlocked door as an invitation

I meant on the front path
cocoloco987 · 16/06/2021 22:55

Yes they can walk on your path and knock on your door . That's it though!

SappysCurry · 16/06/2021 23:11

There is a dedicated forum for expert advice on this
But I’m worried post would be reported if I linked
I’m in a quandary really

SappysCurry · 16/06/2021 23:16

@cocoloco987

Yes they can walk on your path and knock on your door . That's it though!
That is spot on Whilst they wear lookalike law enforcement Kevlar vests and utility belts they are no more ‘scary’ than if a five year old child was dressed up for a school play They’re a joke
shivawn · 17/06/2021 08:22

I've never had a TV licence and never get any letters unless it's the very odd one every few years addressed to "the resident", was always told if you start paying it once they'll forever chase you to keep paying so I just never have!

R0BERTA · 19/06/2021 09:24

@cocoloco987

"maybe why they don't bother here - city and most people live in flats."

I live in a flat (an upstairs one at that), yet I've still had a number of visits.

I think it has something to do with the number of unlicensed addresses, in the area.

My street has at least three (myself included), so they would probably figure visiting would be worth their while.

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