Cancelling TV license

[Halfheadhighlights]

My husband wants us to cancel our tv licence. We barely watch live tv, have had it on for the euros and will probably watch some of the olympics.

I watch Netflix and Amazon but I’m not bothered about having live channels.

just wondering people’s experiences of cancelling, did tv licence people bug you with letters and threatening to visit? I just can’t be bothered with any hassle, especially as it didn’t cost much really.

H is very passionate about not giving money to the BBC though.

We did it years ago, didn’t hear from them again. Started it again for the formula one.

I did at my previous address then filled in the declaration as I wasn’t watching any TV due to moving away with work. No dramas just an acknowledgement to the declaration asking that if my circumstances changed i contact them to get a new licence. I kept the house for a further 3 years and no more correspondence received.

Complete this form;

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence

I havent had one for years, I just put in the declaration that i don't need one every 2 years i think it is? which stops the letters, they can come out, but they never have for me but I wouldn't be letting them in if they did.

They can tell if your watching tv with the detector vans.
So don't say your not then watch.
I personally find it not to expensive for all you get.
Love sports so football and tennis coverage is good also Glastonbury Attenborough programmes and a few others.
Love BBC radio too.
I wouldn't want to be without those enjoyments.
The football and tennis coverage is something they do well.

Detector vans aren't a thing.

They can only tell if they enter your property.

I cancelled mine about a year ago. It was straightforward, I got a refund from my direct debit and a follow up email to tell me: I can’t watch live tv or use iplayer. Only time I missed it was on Thursday, election night. There’s enough for me on youtube.

@Halfheadhighlights yes I had a license before I cancelled it. I also deleted my iPlayer login.

A previous poster mentioned the radio.

. I am not a big radio person, but you are allowed to listen to the radio without TV licence, I think.

I used a throw away email address and put 'The Occupant' or similar as my name.

They can tell if your watching tv with the detector vans.

Myth

Netflix doesn't require a declaration or ask your name if you've never subscribed.

I simply stopped paying for it. I got a visit after about 18 months and it was agreed that I don’t need a licence as I don’t watch live tv. It doesn’t stop the stupid letters though… I just bin them.

As said above fill out the declaration.

If anybody knocks on your door before it gets processed you have no obligation to answer any questions or even tell them your name. Say bye and shut the door on them.

I think the whole thing is all arse about tit. It should really be that people have to opt in to receive BBC rather than opt out to avoid getting harassed.

lol they cannot tell if you are watching TV with so called detector vans.

So just fill in the declaration and the letters stop, or do you just want something to whinge about?

It shouldn't be required to declare you don't want to buy something!

And maybe after the current license period ends in 2027 the rules will change, but it’s ridiculous to purposely not sort something so simple.

Not wanting to turn this political but I think the chances of that are minimal now that Labour are running the show.

We filled in a declaration last month that we don’t need a tv licence, we don’t watch live tv or any bbc really. I did watch Eastenders but couldn’t justify the cost of a licence just for Eastenders lol. They did say they may get someone to check or come round but it’s not them that come round it’s a debt collection agency they said but we still said we didn’t need one despite their efforts with the scare tactics

I filled in the declaration over 2 years ago after paying the fee for over 25 years , i have had no letters/communication at all since doing so.
I have no intention of ever paying again,
I remember reading at the time of my declaration that i would not receive any letters but i may get a visit .

It isn't true. It gets repeated often though so I'm not surprised you've read it. https://fullfact.org/news/liz-truss-tv-licence-prison/

It IS true that the majority of those prosecuted for TV licence evasion are women. They don't end up in prison though. In many years nobody (of either sex) goes to prison because of TV licence-related fines. Which is a good thing frankly as it's ridiculous to imprison someone for non-payment of a TV licence when crimes that are far more harmful to society imo (such as men in possession of child abuse images) routinely get suspended sentences.

For what it's worth the majority of women who are in prison are there for a range of violent offences, drug offences and theft (which itself is often related to drugs).

we bin the letters. Haven't had someone around for years but when they knocked, I just refuse to let them in. Arseholes. I watch no live TV, what business it is of theirs to snoop through my house. not going to happen.

We haven't had a tv licence for years. I have watched some of the euros on someone else's iplayer account but I don't imagine I'll be imprisoned for it. I also watch sky news on my mobile which isn't allowed but I don't think watching a non bbc channel on a mobile device that isn't powered by them should count. Again, just don't imagine I'll be imprisoned. Famous last words haha.

We declare it every two years and don't have an aerial plugged in should someone come round but they never have and I certainly wouldn't let them in. Until you declare, you will get some strongly worded letters.

ChilliJonCarne on YouTube.

Dedicated entirely to TV licensing (the utter bullying BS of it). Have a look, it will answer every question you could possibly have and crucially put your mind at rest.

The sooner the TV licence (and hopefully the entire BBC sham) is done away with, the better IMO.