TV License!

Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
In previous houses I have always paid my TV license, but having recently moved im wondering if i have to.

So we have virgin cable and as part of the package we do receive a live TV feed into the house. However, we do not watch live TV, ever! We only ever watch Netflix or not at all, as we work long hours. We have started receiving threatening letters now..

I resent having to pay out more money (despite it only being a few hundred quid) for something I do not use. I am guessing that because I have the ability to watch live TV, even if i dont watch it - I have to pay the license?


Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 26th February 12:09

dazzztay

447 posts

180 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
Yes you do.


Jakg

3,451 posts

167 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
If you don't watch live TV - you don't need a license.

Much the same way as you don't need a license to own a car - just to drive it.

TheGroover

957 posts

274 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
See here : http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one

"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."

Cliftonite

8,406 posts

137 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
TV Licence!

trashbat

6,005 posts

152 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
Fill in the no-need-for-a-licence declaration on the website, and they will stop sending you letters, but someone may come to visit.

In my case I invited them to come in and look at my aerial-less TV, whereupon he said, 'oh no, I don't need to come in, just had to check that you'd let me' smile

Edit: your case is slightly complicated by the fact that you can presumably turn the TV on and get live TV. You would be in a much better position if you could disable that in some form or other.

CrispyMK

199 posts

139 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
trashbat said:
In my case I invited them to come in and look at my aerial-less TV, whereupon he said, 'oh no, I don't need to come in, just had to check that you'd let me' smile
So you was guilty until proven innocent?

trashbat

6,005 posts

152 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
CrispyMK said:
So you was guilty until proven innocent?
Not getting drawn into this smile - but since you ask, as nothing was proven by either party, and I wasn't accused of anything, no, not really.

CrispyMK

199 posts

139 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
trashbat said:
Not getting drawn into this smile - but since you ask, as nothing was proven by either party, and I wasn't accused of anything, no, not really.
Didn't mean to try and provoke anything. It just really winds me up, the whole TV licencing system.

steve2

1,771 posts

217 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
We used to have the tv on in our shop office but decided it was a waste of money so e-mailed the authority and got a conformation number via e-mail saying they will update their records, so far we have had two threatening letters saying we need a license and they will send in the enforcement team, cannot wait for that day smile
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains

trashbat

6,005 posts

152 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
I sympathise - for me it's an outdated and regressive form of taxing people, but if we assume we're stuck with it for now, there are ways to play their game, and ways to get even more grief out of the whole thing.

McSam

6,753 posts

174 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
dazzztay said:
Yes you do.
What on earth is the point of posting a bald "fact" with no explanation when actually, you're completely wrong?

Just last week we had a thread about this, with detailed discussion of what does and does not require a TV licence: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

In summary, if you watch, record or delay any live broadcast on any channel through any route (including iPlayer etc), you need a TV licence. If you only watch pre-recorded programmes such as DVDs or things uploaded to iPlayer for catch-up after the end of the programme, you're fine.

steve2 said:
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
Not true, assuming you mean live broadcasts. It doesn't become "not in your property" just because you didn't connect it to your wall, you need a licence to do this.

Cotty

39,389 posts

283 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
trashbat said:
CrispyMK said:
So you was guilty until proven innocent?
Not getting drawn into this smile - but since you ask, as nothing was proven by either party, and I wasn't accused of anything, no, not really.
They were accusing you of not having a TV Licence, otherwise they would not be there. They don't ask to come into my house but then I have a licence.

Jakg

3,451 posts

167 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
steve2 said:
We used to have the tv on in our shop office {...]
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
McSam said:
ot true, assuming you mean live broadcasts. It doesn't become "not in your property" just because you didn't connect it to your wall, you need a licence to do this.
A portable TV is defined as one which does not use mains power (i.e. batteries).

A laptop watching live TV on battery power is therefore a portable TV.

A portable TV requires you to have a license at home but not necessarily where its being used (obviously).

I.E. you could use a portable TV at work and be covered by your home license.

I could be wrong on the specifics of using it in a business setting, though (i.e. is there the same issues as with PRS & music).

Mr Will

13,719 posts

205 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
McSam said:
ot true, assuming you mean live broadcasts. It doesn't become "not in your property" just because you didn't connect it to your wall, you need a licence to do this.
I don't know if it still exists, but there used to be a loop-hole to account for those weird little portable tellies that boring men used to use to watch the football at weddings/work/other inappropriate locations. Essentially, they were covered under the licence of where-ever they were last plugged in to charge the batteries - if you charged it at home then took it to work you didn't need to have a licence at work as well.

I imagine that the same would apply to a laptop - if you are watching live iPlayer in a cafe somewhere then you are still covered on your home licence and all is fine. Neither you or the cafe owner will face a fine.

Whether you'd convince the courts this applies when both properties are yours is another matter. As far as I'm aware that one has not been tested.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
CrispyMK said:
trashbat said:
Not getting drawn into this smile - but since you ask, as nothing was proven by either party, and I wasn't accused of anything, no, not really.
Didn't mean to try and provoke anything. It just really winds me up, the whole TV licencing system.
This is what gets me. I have a few mates that pay it even though they don't watch live TV 'just in case' and 'its only £12 a month'. It bugs me so much. My girl friend is insisting on paying it because of the bullying letters.

If I did not have a live TV feed into my house I would not even question not paying it. But because of this I am going to call Virgin and see if they can de-activate the live feed.

If not, I will just pay the £145. Annoying, but hey!

Alex@POD

6,133 posts

214 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
McSam said:
dazzztay said:
Yes you do.
What on earth is the point of posting a bald "fact" with no explanation when actually, you're completely wrong?

Just last week we had a thread about this, with detailed discussion of what does and does not require a TV licence: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

In summary, if you watch, record or delay any live broadcast on any channel through any route (including iPlayer etc), you need a TV licence. If you only watch pre-recorded programmes such as DVDs or things uploaded to iPlayer for catch-up after the end of the programme, you're fine.

steve2 said:
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
Not true, assuming you mean live broadcasts. It doesn't become "not in your property" just because you didn't connect it to your wall, you need a licence to do this.
Out of genuine interest (not trying to stir anything), if you have everything in place to watch live TV, how can claiming you do not be enough? Surely if that was the case anyone with a box that accesses Iplayer and such can get away with not paying?

HonestIago

1,719 posts

185 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
Don't pay it. Even if you watch live TV you can just refuse any inspector access to your property. They can then prove nothing.

Jakg

3,451 posts

167 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
Alex@POD said:
Out of genuine interest (not trying to stir anything), if you have everything in place to watch live TV, how can claiming you do not be enough? Surely if that was the case anyone with a box that accesses Iplayer and such can get away with not paying?
Jakg said:
Much the same way as you don't need a license to own a car - just to drive it.
Imagine if you have a car parked in your field, but no license. Can you imagine the traffic police locking you up because it's technically possible for you to get in the car and drive?

trashbat

6,005 posts

152 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
quotequote all
Jakg said:
Imagine if you have a car parked in your field, but no license. Can you imagine the traffic police locking you up because it's technically possible for you to get in the car and drive?
Well, you're required to either insure or SORN your car regardless of whether you drive it anywhere or not.