on my door and sending letters Im decorating and live elsewhere but cant be bothered with their clipboards and questions.How far can and will they go?
2006-10-29 04:26:07 · 28 answers · asked by pisspot 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The TV licensing people expect every household to have a television.
If they think you have and you have it switched on they can detect what is known as the beat frequency and you will be prosecuted.
The hand-held detectors are quite small compared to the size 20 years ago.
You will probably receive a letter from them every 3 months until you get a license.
I doubt if you could prosecute them for harassment.
If you write telling them your situation, the letter will just be ignored.
When you eventually buy a TV the shop you buy it from must (by law) write to the licensing authority giving the name and address of the person who bought it.
So you see its really difficult to avoid having to buy a license.
2006-10-29 06:58:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Taken from the Citizens Advice Bureau webiste:
What happens if you do not have a television licence
If you have a television set or video recorder which is not licensed, TV Licensing may find out:-
because any trader who sells or rents televisions or video recorders must give TV Licensing the customers’ names and addresses, and these will be checked against the record of who already has a television licence; or
by sending a routine enquiry letter. The letters are sent to addresses where there is no record of a television licence being held; or
because a television licence is not renewed; or
because a detector van or other detecting equipment picks up a television signal to an address which is not on TV Licensing’s records as having a television licence. Detector vans can tell whether someone is using a black and white or colour television set.
You may be visited by a TV Licensing enquiry officer if TV Licensing suspect you do not have a television licence or if you have not responded to an enquiry letter or licence reminder. All enquiry officers carry identification cards which they should show. The enquiry officer must state the purpose of the visit. You do not have to let the enquiry officer into your home. However, if you do not let the enquiry officer in, they may apply to a magistrate for a search warrant.
If the enquiry officer is satisfied that you do not have a television licence and that you should have one, a statement will be taken under caution. The enquiry officer should not suggest that if you buy a licence within a certain period, no action will be taken.
You can be prosecuted for having or using a television set or video recorder and not having a licence for it. You can be prosecuted even if you are not the owner or hirer of the set, for example, in a case where the set belonged to a husband but was switched on and watched by the wife, the wife was prosecuted. However, if you are prosecuted, producing a valid licence in court can be used in mitigation. A copy of the licence should therefore be sent to the court.
If TV Licensing decide to prosecute, the case will be heard in the magistrates court (District court in Scotland). If you are found guilty the maximum fine which can be imposed is £1,000. The court cannot confiscate the television set or order you to pay the television licence fee arrears.
2006-10-29 04:32:15 · answer #2 · answered by librarian 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you have a TV you need a license. Even if you are not there to use the thing. Just buy a licence. Its cheaper than the £1000 fine you will face if you are up in court. You can even do it on Direct Debit. Its about £8 a month
2006-10-30 06:29:11 · answer #3 · answered by Mick B 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They can go as far as get the bailiffs to break the door down, take the television off you and take you to court.
If you're not living there, take the television out of your house. You're not watching it, you don't need it.
Or PAY IT! TV licence non-payment is enforced by Criminal Law don't you know. Non-payment can leave you with a criminal record. Is it really really worth not paying the not unreasonable £131.50 a year? You can even pay monthly at no extra cost via Direct Debit.
Word or warning: one friend got his door knocked down through non-payment, and the police found some drugs in his flat. He ended up going to jail, as well as the huge fine for not paying his licence. I repeat: IS IT WORTH IT?
Of course it ain't.
2006-10-29 04:33:16 · answer #4 · answered by Tris2000 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If you've no TV, when they come round, let them in. They'll not find a TV and leave you alone for a year or so.
If you have a TV, pay the license. Or stop answering your door.
2006-10-29 04:54:49 · answer #5 · answered by lordandmaker 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you haven't got a TV on the premises, write to TV Licensing, Bristol BS99 5HP and tell them. Mention that their enforcement team have been causing a nuisance and if they call again you will seek compensation.
2006-10-29 04:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They cant do anything if you dont answer the door. They have to catch you watching the TV and you have to answer the door and admit to it when they then caution you and it goes on to court. Just dont answer the door and theres not a thing they can do. They have no powers to break in and they cant summons you if they havent cautioned you xx
2006-10-29 04:31:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest whether you've got a TV licence or not it might be best for you to open the door.
2006-10-29 04:30:10 · answer #8 · answered by Rob Roy 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
If u havnt got a tv there just let em in they'll have a look and go if you have well then pay up
2006-10-29 04:30:11 · answer #9 · answered by sassy! 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you are not living there, and there is no televison there then you're fine. Just give them a call and let them know the house is vacant!
2006-10-29 11:58:47 · answer #10 · answered by Purple 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋