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Original poster

Can you own a television set without a tv licence?

39 replies

happy362 · 03/07/2014 07:43

The tv licence has just become something I can't afford. I don't get much income as a student and I have decided it is too much. Strangely, at the time I probably could have found the £150 to pay it outright but £29 a month is taking a lot out if my salary.
I presumed this must mean I had to sell my tv, or have the tv clearly not in use. I have no where to store it at all. However the cab have told me I can have it even on the tv stand as long as I am not watching tv.
I hopeful to be able to afford the licence when my situation improves a I don't want to sell my tv yet. I would get much less than I paid for it if I were to sell it.

As long as I watch no tv can I have a tv in my house on a tv stand. I will I plug the aerial.

OP posts:
Original poster
happy362 · 03/07/2014 07:45

I am also concerned about my partner and friends using the tv when I out. I will of course tell them I have no licence but I can't guarantee they will remember or care and may watch the tv.

Would it be them whose fault it is in the instance?

OP posts:
shuckleberryfinn · 03/07/2014 07:45

As far as I know you only need a licence if you watch tv as it is broadcast. This means you can use your tv to watch dvds, play computer games or use a catch up service like the iplayer and not need a licence.

www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

Betrayedbutsurvived · 03/07/2014 07:46

Can't you afford to pay quarterly? £37.

OwlCapone · 03/07/2014 07:46

You can watch TV provided it is not at the broadcast time - so you can watch Eastenders on a catch up TV service but not when it is broadcast at 7:30.

You can also watched streamed videos.

DottyDooRidesAgain · 03/07/2014 07:50

You are not allowed to watch iplayer, 4 od, itv or any other internet site that is part of a TV channel without a TV licence.

A TV Licence is a legal permission to install or use television receiving equipment (e.g. TVs, computers, mobile phones, games consoles, digital boxes and DVD/VHS recorders) to watch or record television programmes, as they are being shown on TV. This applies regardless of which television channels a person receives or how those channels are received. The licence fee is not a payment for BBC services (or any other television service), although licence fee revenue is used to fund the BBC.

However if you can prove you do not have a computer/games console or mobile phone with internet capabilities as well as no television aerial then you probably won't need to pay for a licence.

OwlCapone · 03/07/2014 07:55

That's not true according to the TV licensing website

You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder.

Safeinourbubble · 03/07/2014 07:57

It was about four years ago, but I had a tv without a licence - money was incredibly tight. I rang and spoke to them and they were wonderful and clear about what you could and couldn't do. I had the tv set up to watch dvds and play games on it but no aerial and I used the radio.

I would be bothered about who was liable if someone else watched it though and get clarification about that or move the tv so this can't happen.

wonderpants · 03/07/2014 07:57

I'm sure I am not paying £29 a month for mine! More like £12 I think (must check direct debits!)

Sorry, not the question you asked!!

plinkyplonker · 03/07/2014 08:00

They will eventually visit you and if you have a tv and aerial in your house then you stand next to no chance of convincing them you don't watch it. If you are prepared to put tv in the loft then perhaps that would work

OwlCapone · 03/07/2014 08:02

How to tell us you don't watch TV

OwlCapone · 03/07/2014 08:03

The law states that you need to be covered by a TV Licence if you watch or record television programmes, on any device, as they're being shown on TV. This includes TVs, computers, mobile phones, games consoles, digital boxes and Blu-ray/DVD/VHS recorders.

You don't need a licence if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch ‘catch up’ services like BBC iPlayer or 4oD.

DottyDooRidesAgain · 03/07/2014 08:06

I stand corrected Owl. Smile

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/07/2014 08:06

It's been 18 months since I had one, TV licensing know about it and I don't hear from them.

We have two tvs but watch both on catch up.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 03/07/2014 08:07

I don't have one. I have an Apple TV box and a now tv box, neither of which can receive live tv. I watch netflix, sky entertainment, iplayer and 4od. I pay £10 a month for my tv subscriptions and £20 for the Internet and phone. I used to pay £45 for tv and £12 for licence so it's much much cheaper.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 03/07/2014 08:08

I have an aerial point as do almost all houses but no aerial lead, since it doesn't work. If they tried to take me to court I'm quite confident that they would lose. Living in a house that has an aerial doesn't mean you use it.

Original poster
happy362 · 03/07/2014 09:41

The thing is I never watch tv anyway except in my ipad when in bed using catch up services. I never watch bbc even on catch up. I never answer the door to someone I don't know anyway so unless they arranged a visit I wouldn't answer.
I'm not trying to be dishonest. I just don't have anywhere I could store it. My loft is full of installation and I don't have a. Garage or shed.

Keepng it where it is is much more conveneont for me

OP posts:
EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 03/07/2014 10:00

You don't need to store it.

Original poster
happy362 · 03/07/2014 10:04

Of years I had no tv and they hounded me to pay my licence and I got so many letters saying they suspect I do have a tv unlike what I had told them and that a person would come round to check. I never got anyone coming round. They just presume everyone has a tv

OP posts:
Trollsworth · 03/07/2014 10:06

I haven't had a tv licence for three years. I informed them when they came round to visit. I invited them in, showed them the play station and explained that I don't watch live tv so I'm not paying for a licence.

Two years ago I got a letter, asking me to write to them to explain why I don't have a tv licence, and so I rang them up and said no.

I've not heard from them since.

hopelessadventure · 03/07/2014 10:08

Why does it cost you so much?? Mine is just under 12 pounds a month.

specialsubject · 03/07/2014 10:35

yes, TV licence is £12 a month, you need to check your finances.

you only need one if watching LIVE on ANY device. You don't need to sell the TV and it can stay right where it is.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 03/07/2014 10:38

I registered online to say I don't watch live tv. They will check again after 2 years and it says they can visit to check but they haven't so far. No more threatening letters either!

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 03/07/2014 10:39

Tv licence is paid in advance so the first 6 months of getting one it's double.

daisychicken · 03/07/2014 10:44

The key words are "as broadcast" so it's only live by you need a licence for (at present, there are rumours of this being changed OR charging for iplayer) but at the minute as long as you are not watching live broadcast, it's fine. You could just detune the TV and disconnect the ariel or you could remove the plug if worried about other people using the TV (& if tv licence do a check then this will satisfy their requirements if you allow them in to check but we haven't had a visit in the 8 years of no tv/no licence) but as others have said, it's fine where it is.

daisychicken · 03/07/2014 10:45

Sorry bad editing.... its only live tv you need a licence for