TV license officers

[vennomm]

So I've received a snotty letter saying at tv license officer is going to be visiting my property. I literally only watch Netflix and Amazon prime as my husband and I have only just moved here from the states and don't know any different from Netflix and prime with travelling so much. Is there any way we can prove that we only watch these two streaming services? Our TV set isn't even connected to the aerial so I'm puzzled on what to do and to dodge the dreaded £1000 fine!

It's a hollow threat. They are known for their over the top letters.

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

There is a form to fill in online.

You're a star thank you so much! Just done this, hopefully it keeps them away

Presumably the address used to have a TV licence and now doesn’t

As linked above you can declare that you do not watch TV and don’t require a licence.
You may still get a visit to confirm that

You don’t need to admit them (unless they arrive with a warrant which won’t happen unless they have valid reason to believe you are lieing, such as watching BBC iPlayer via your home)

All you need to do when/if someone turns up is to tell them that you do not watch broadcast TV and do not require a licence

Don’t worry about the many online scare stories
The likelihood of someone actually turning up is slim and you can only be fined for watching without a licence

We get those letters constantly every month, we tried filling in the form a few times but they only really stop sending then for a year or so and then they start up again.
I like to imagine some furious baddie/villain in their enforcement lair plotting a night time visit to peep through our windows and catch us at something, only to find their evil plan thwarted!
Not sure what would happen if they came round but I doubt I'd let them come and poke around, presumably they'd want to look in all our rooms which is not happening!
I'm not even 100% happy with the gas meter person looking under the stairs uninvited to be honest.

I don’t have a tv licence and don’t watch live tv.
A ‘ licence officer’ did call round one day and I let him in because I couldn’t be bothered to have the aggro of saying no in front of the neighbours and looking like I was doing something wrong 😳

I showed him I wasn’t connected to an aerial, and then he just asked me to switch to bbc i player and try to connect to it (to see if it’s logged in) and that was it.

I wouldn’t allow access again though, because they’ve seen it once!

Just to add, I had filled the declaration in online.

I keep getting letters for my mums house and she died earlier this year and I cancelled the tv licence
I ignore them If they turn up it’s a empty house with no tv

Useful resource:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/broadband-and-tv/tv-licence/]]

Ha if only other services were as prompt as the TV licence people!
New tenants, new owners, even when you've just bought a TV (it must get reported) and inevitably a letter will follow within a day or two.

I get letters All the time. Some even tell me what day they will be showing up.
Even if they bothered you don’t have to let them in. I treat them in the same way as unsolicited sales people because in reality this is all they are. Open the door tell them I’m not into buying crap on my doorstep and closing the door.

They cannot fine you simply because they think you are lying.

To gain entry they need to get a warrant and to get one of these they have
to have evidence to proof you have live tv.

We had one turn up the other day!

If they turn up just refuse access. I think they have become desperate for revenue with all the streaming services most youngsters dont use normal TV.

Can anyone help explain!

don’t watch through a device

don’t watch bbc

but have a smart tv with Apple/Netflix/Disney/YouTube etc do I need a license?
thanks

As long as your not watching live tv or using iplayer you do not need a license.

I just pay my tv licence! £12 every month and have done for 20 year

From your question - no. You don’t require a licence

If you only use your TV for the streaming on demand services …. Apple, Netflix, Disney, YouTube then you do not require a TV licence

If you did watch a ‘broadcast TV’ show while it’s being broadcast then you would

I think you need a license for bbc radio too? Just saying.

No, it's just BBC iPlayer and live broadcast tv.

What about watching something live on YouTube…is that broadcast? If watching a webcam of a beach 🤣 or ski resort….hehehe it’s relaxing

Have had few of these letters over the years- we don't have a TV and only use Netflix and Prime, never i- player. They have turned up and I think we did let them in to look ( although they have no right to enter the house). We have filled in the form online too.

Has been years since we have heard from them so I think they have got the message that we don't watch live TV.

They can't force you to pay for something you don't have.

I don't have a licence as I genuinely do not need one. I get one letter per week from them and have had one enforcement visit in 7 years. It was a pair, one obviously new and being trained. It was quite funny really as he tried to chat his way in and didn't win. They didn't admit who they were initially and were.asking for the previous owners. He was trying to catch me out with different tactics. Told them they could come in when they had a warrant and shut the door. Never seen them since and the letters go into the recycling unopened.

People spread a lot of myths and nonsense about TV licences , including on this thread already. The correct information is on their own website. You are under no legal obligation to inform them that you do not need one either.

If they do come, simply do not let them in.

@Beepbeepenergy
@vennomm

Beep is rigth
Also the uk is not the only country with a TV fee.
it pays for the amazing Bbc
best to follow the rules in the country you have moved too

despite so called clever advise here!

@Worriedaboutethics No. 'Beep' did not read the OP correctly and it seems you didn't either. As the OP only uses Prime Video and Netflix, she legally does not need a licence. That's not really hard to understand.

At one time I would have agreed with you that the BBC was amazing, however I am horrified at recent 'news' coverage. Nothing but the Queen's death/funeral arrangements. Nothing else is happening in the world apparently or we're not allowed to know about it! And all so one-sided. It is their job to provide a balance of views, they're not doing that. I am actually thinking for the first time of cancelling my licence and boycotting them.

@Pemba

i did read it thank you.
still think it’s wrong.

Why do you 'think it's wrong' though? Even on the TV licencing website it states that you don't need a licence if you only do streaming (apart from BBC iplayer). It's common knowledge I'd have thought.