i'm getting constant letters, visits and 6 months ago had a formal notice on my front door from the tv licensing THIS PROPERTY is not licensed.
I have even let them in and search my property.
But still getting letters and visits!!!!
What can i do? can i take legal action for harassment?
2006-08-08 07:51:47 · 13 answers · asked by claire1731manchester 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
Oh dear! Another "outsourced" service (i.e. reduce costs, increase revenue, who are the customers this week?).
You could have fun reading this guy's site listing lots of links to do with licensing (or, rather, not).
http://www.marmalade.net/lime/
Also see the wiki entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom#Licence_fee_collection_and_enforcement
which states "Capita agents, known as "enforcement officers" or "enquiry officers" do not have right of entry to a property, but could apply for a magistrate for a search warrant. The officer must either observe the equipment in use, or must ascertain that it has been used, without a licence being in force. The officer will generally ask if the receiver is in use or when it was last used. If the person being questioned answers that it is or has been in use then that is considered proof. The offence is "using" - not possessing or installing. There is no obligation to answer the question"
However, when my flat sale fell through a couple of years ago and I had already moved, a quick, polite, telephone call enabled the property to be added to the 6 month moratorium list (they will not do it for longer).
Legally, you need to let them in if they have a warrant, but otherwise, if you do not have any equipment capabable of receiving a broadcast (including a PC TV card) then, as other posters have said, you can ignore their bullying and report them to Which! magazine and similar.
Personally I think this is a silly tax, that unfairly targets the poor (it is a flat rate) and could better be collected by allowing the BBC to sell its programmes on DVD and download (rather than the round-about way they have to do it now).
2006-08-08 10:51:56 · answer #1 · answered by sweeteglantine02 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
because they can't understand why anyone could possibly live without a tv. They came around to my place about 5 years ago pretending to do a post office customer satisfaction survey. When they asked if I use the PO to buy my tv licence and I said haven't got one, out came the tv licencing form which was duly ticked. Of course, nobody would dare purport to be PO customer satisfaction surveyers these days.
2006-08-08 08:02:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont own a tv and get em letters too( i liv in uni dorms). best thign is to ignore the letters as they wont shut up.
the thing about them suckers coming in ur house, if they ever do make a visit ask them to show a search warrent, mostly they dont have one & u can get rid of em(temporarily), i knw a frend who used this against them.
u could also write to these sadists using a grave and disapointed tone, to leave u alone as u havent violated anything
2006-08-08 08:04:55 · answer #3 · answered by lazrer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those people at the BBC are really cut about missing the licensing fee from your property and are having sleepness nights!
First opportunity I get, our set will be straight out of the sodding window, however, there are one or two square eyes that keep watching the crap that is shown.
2006-08-08 08:00:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd just ignore them - bin the letters and send the inspectors away until they have a warrant, then send them away once they've searched for that illegal tv set. Just remind them of all the license fee payer's money they're wasting, and that you think there may be a family of illegal immigrants down the road who don't pay theirs.
Do you think squatters need to buy a license? I bet they don't!
2006-08-08 11:22:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
probably. I don't have a TV Licence, cancelled it about two months ago, and in that time I've had about 5 letters reminding me to get one as soon as I get a TV etc. There's no harm in contacting your local citizens advice bureau.
2006-08-08 07:59:10 · answer #6 · answered by Pink Laydee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are very suspicious these days of anyone who says they do not have a TV or other equipment capable of receiving TV signals. Might be easier to get a TV than to try taking legal action.
2006-08-08 07:56:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They can't enter your property without either your permisson or a court order.
If you don't have a TV, invite them around for a nice cup of tea some time, then when they're done tell them to **** off!
2006-08-08 08:00:41 · answer #8 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you live in Great Britain, where such licensing is required. Go talk to someone in the city administration and ask what recourse you have. I am glad that we Yanks don't have to put up with such nonsense.
2006-08-08 07:57:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would if it was happening to me.
they must just think your taking the p*ss.
they should understand that there are people who dont own a tv.
and you shouldnt get bothered like that.
take them to court for harassment.
2006-08-08 08:04:45 · answer #10 · answered by jaynieleigh22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋