Does my mate need a TV licence?

[Pistom]

My mate never watches live TV - he doesn't watch much TV at all, he's into films and has a huge Blu ray/DVD collection.

I've been house sitting and took over my Amazon box to watch iPlayer, I've got a licence so I assume that's fine but when he comes back - can he watch it whilst I am?

It seems odd if he can't but I can't find anything on BBC to advise other than - your life isn't complete without a TV licence.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Who cares, just do it anyway?

[Nethybridge]

Your TV Licence is for your address, not sure it's transferable.

But you could install said mate as your lodger then your licence covers his TV as well.

But lodgers always turn into Leslie Phillips, so your wife or daughters could be
the subject of unwanted attention, Oh I say, Ding Dong.

[cliffords]

If you watch I player you need a TV licence if you choose to follow the rules

[funinhounslow]

Pistom said:

My mate never watches live TV - he doesn't watch much TV at all, he's into films and has a huge Blu ray/DVD collection.

I've been house sitting and took over my Amazon box to watch iPlayer, I've got a licence so I assume that's fine but when he comes back - can he watch it whilst I am?

It seems odd if he can't but I can't find anything on BBC to advise other than - your life isn't complete without a TV licence.

Nope.

You’re only covered by your TV licence at another address if the device you’re watching it on is running on internal batteries and not plugged in to mains power.

Watch iPlayer on your laptop or iPad is fine as long as it’s not plugged in to external power. I assume the same rules apply to the Amazon box…

I am not making this up…

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-on...

[jfdi]

So I need a separate licence to watch TV in my caravan if I'm on hookup but not if I'm running of the battery, or is my caravan a "vessel"

[Alex Z]

jfdi said:

So I need a separate licence to watch TV in my caravan if I'm on hookup but not if I'm running of the battery, or is my caravan a "vessel"

It’s a vehicle, assuming it’s a normal towed caravan. I wonder what the position is for a static van?

[Pistom]

Thank you. That's clarified it.

[ChocolateFrog]

Pistom said:

My mate never watches live TV - he doesn't watch much TV at all, he's into films and has a huge Blu ray/DVD collection.

I've been house sitting and took over my Amazon box to watch iPlayer, I've got a licence so I assume that's fine but when he comes back - can he watch it whilst I am?

It seems odd if he can't but I can't find anything on BBC to advise other than - your life isn't complete without a TV licence.

No he must walk around his own house with his eyes closed.

[richhead]

Just dont pay, and never admit to watching live tv, aslong as you never let the salesmen in , what can they do. They are on the way out, i for one am not funding it, I dont use live tv btw or any bbc service before people get excited.

[Funk]

Pistom said:

My mate never watches live TV - he doesn't watch much TV at all, he's into films and has a huge Blu ray/DVD collection.

I've been house sitting and took over my Amazon box to watch iPlayer, I've got a licence so I assume that's fine but when he comes back - can he watch it whilst I am?

It seems odd if he can't but I can't find anything on BBC to advise other than - your life isn't complete without a TV licence.

Your licence doesn't cover you at his property unless you're watching on a laptop or phone that is not plugged in to power and is running on battery. As soon as you plug it in charge, your licence no longer covers you and he needs one for his property. Yes, it's stupid. No, I don't know why they've decided that.

[CoolHands]

When they refer to hamas as terrorists, I’ll buy the licence. I think my money is safe

[Aunty Pasty]

Funk said:

Your licence doesn't cover you at his property unless you're watching on a laptop or phone that is not plugged in to power and is running on battery. As soon as you plug it in charge, your licence no longer covers you and he needs one for his property. Yes, it's stupid. No, I don't know why they've decided that.

It's to try and clarify for the whataboutery brigade.

As for the OP, technically it seems not but unless the Amazon box is a permanent fixture in the house I wouldn't bother.

[Pistom]

So Ive now got factual responses as well as common sense ones. Thank you everyone. Ive got a fuller understanding now.

He was never going to get a licence so my question was one out of interest than anything else.

Regarding the licence itself, I don't really have any issues with it.

What I do have issue with is the bullying techniques used to harass those who don't have one.

I know of one little old lady who pays for a licence even though she doesn't own a TV.

[simon_harris]

Pistom said:

So Ive now got factual responses as well as common sense ones. Thank you everyone. Ive got a fuller understanding now.

He was never going to get a licence so my question was one out of interest than anything else.

Regarding the licence itself, I don't really have any issues with it.

What I do have issue with is the bullying techniques used to harass those who don't have one.

I know of one little old lady who pays for a licence even though she doesn't own a TV.

Does she listen to the radio? I am sure you need the TV licence for that also...

[Funk]

simon_harris said:

Pistom said:

So Ive now got factual responses as well as common sense ones. Thank you everyone. Ive got a fuller understanding now.

He was never going to get a licence so my question was one out of interest than anything else.

Regarding the licence itself, I don't really have any issues with it.

What I do have issue with is the bullying techniques used to harass those who don't have one.

I know of one little old lady who pays for a licence even though she doesn't own a TV.

Does she listen to the radio? I am sure you need the TV licence for that also...

You do not, you're incorrect.

[Pistom]

You've not needed a licence for radio for some time but in any case, she doesn't listen to radio.

[Countdown]

GiantEnemyCrab said:

Who cares, just do it anyway?

Yep. Plenty of people pretend they don't need a licence. It seems the chances of being caught are pretty slim.

[Nethybridge]

Countdown said:

Yep. Plenty of people pretend they don't need a licence. It seems the chances of being caught are pretty slim.

This, I remember not renewing my TV Licence last year for a month and within days got a letter asking
why, and a threat that a visit from goons from the local TV Licensing branch was imminent.

I wonder if households who have never bought a licence for years get this sort of attention ?

[Leptons]

Nethybridge said:

This, I remember not renewing my TV Licence last year for a month and within days got a letter asking
why, and a threat that a visit from goons from the local TV Licensing branch was imminent.

I wonder if households who have never bought a licence for years get this sort of attention ?

Yes, yes they do.