TV Licensing

Turkey Machine · 27-03-2009, 22:50

Discuss.

Today, our halls received in bulk some very RED envelopes, inside of which the letter goes something like this:

"We have tried to contact you between September 2008 and February 2009 about buying a TV Licence, and haven't received your response. If you watch or record TV at this address as it's being broadcast, and you're not covered by a valid TV Licence, you are breaking the law. This applies whether you watch TV with atelevision set, laptop or any other device.

This letter, therefore, will tell you what you need to know if you find yourself being prosecuted for not being covered by a valid TV Licence.

1. You will be notified in advance of the date and location of our court hearing. Be sure to keep these details safe.

2. You aren't required to turn up to your court hearing, but you should remember that you can be found guilty and fined in your absence.

3. You are allowed to represent yourself in court. If you don't want to represent yourself, the Citizens Advice Bureau can advise you on where and how to find a solicitor.

4. It's best to turn up slightly early to a court. Most court buildings have several actual courts in them, so be sure you leave yourself time to find when and where you're going.

5. If you are fined, the magistrate will often allow you to pay over several instalments, particularly if the fine is a large one.

If you don't watch or record TV at this address, please let us know by calling 0844 800 6707. We may send officers to confirm the situation."

Below this, they say "You can still pay your TV Licence" etc...

And the letter's signed

"Yours faithfully,

Carl Shimeild
Operations Director"

On the back, they outline situations when you need or don't need a TV licence.

What really jars me off is the fact that "letter" (it amounts to toilet paper as far as I'm concerned) is worded to make it sound like the recipient is guilty already.

Plus, the fact it's not addressed to me (it was addressed to "The Legal Occupier") means they need to use "Yours sincerely" as a sign-off instead of "yours faithfully". At least that was what I was taught to write.

Anybody else have these? I generally file them appropriately, i.e under bin!

**Russ** · 27-03-2009, 22:52

*groans....

Another "admin's nightmare" topic....

WHISTLED · 27-03-2009, 23:04

Or you could try getting a TV license like the rest of us - Assuming yuu dont by your tone

Gary L · 27-03-2009, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ B

*groans....

Another "admin's nightmare" topic....

I love this topic!

---------- Post added at 23:10 ---------- Previous post was at 23:09 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Or you could try getting a TV license like the rest of us - Assuming yuu dont by your tone

Even you're assuming that he's guilty.

**Maggy J** · 27-03-2009, 23:10

What's to discuss?Everyone has to have a TV licence to watch TV...It's a tax that all viewers are required to pay..

However much you don't watch the BBC you still have to pay.Just like everyone who owns a car that is driven on public roads has to pay car tax..or owns a house has to pay council tax..Or pays VAT on everything they purchase.Or customs and excise on petrol,booze and fags.

And the PTB have a right to check up about it...

Angua · 27-03-2009, 23:11

And we were taught to use faithfully for un-named recipients of mail and sincerely to named persons.

**Maggy J** · 27-03-2009, 23:14

Spoiler:

Gary L · 27-03-2009, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

What's to discuss?Everyone has to have a TV licence to watch TV...It's a tax that all viewers are required to pay..

But not everyone is viewing. if they don't get any money from you they assume that you have a TV.

Quote:

However much you don't watch the BBC you still have to pay

If the dog licence was still around we would be getting letters about however much you don't take your dog for a walk you still have to pay

Quote:

And the PTB have a right to check up about it...

It's not checking up. it's more like buy a licence anyway. who cares if you don't have a TV. us taking you to court will wreck your life.

**Maggy J** · 27-03-2009, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

But not everyone is viewing. if they don't get any money from you they assume that you have a TV.

If the dog licence was still around we would be getting letters about however much you don't take your dog for a walk you still have to pay

It's not checking up. it's more like buy a licence anyway. who cares if you don't have a TV. us taking you to court will wreck your life.

It's immaterial..TPTB have the right to assume whatever they like..and the right to WARN that not having a licence can result in prosecution...

But of course they could save all that taxpayers money and go right ahead and just take people to court without giving them a chance to adjust matters.

Turkey Machine · 27-03-2009, 23:27

What's TPTB?

Gary L · 27-03-2009, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

It's immaterial..TPTB have the right to assume whatever they like..and the right to WARN that not having a licence can result in prosecution...

TPTB?
They assume that you are guilty. they make you think that you are under obligation to tell them that you just don't happen to have a TV licence because you just don't happen to own a TV.

Quote:

But of course they could save all that taxpayers money and go right ahead and just take people to court without giving them a chance to adjust matters.

I heard an ad on Radio 2 today from them people. something about a licence using email or something. they are getting desperate.

---------- Post added at 23:34 ---------- Previous post was at 23:32 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turkey Machine

What's TPTB?

The Powers That Be.

They're the same people who send you a threatening letter about they don't have any record of you owning a car. and if you have a car that you haven't told them about you're in trouble

danielf · 27-03-2009, 23:37

chickendippers · 27-03-2009, 23:42

When I was in halls they sent loads of reminder letters round to everyone and never amounted to anything. Especially as the terms of my accommodation meant anyone had to give 24 hours notice to come into my room.

I didn't have a TV...and iPlayer didn't exist, so I wasn't bothered, but they still sent them anyway.

Gary L · 27-03-2009, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Quote:

Last year, Conservative MP Gary Streeter put forward an early day motion in parliament, signed by 60 MPs, criticising the "intimidating" tactics being used.

He was particularly angry at the requirement for people who do not own televisions - some one million people in Britain - to prove their "non-use".

Another Tory MP David Maclean accused TV Licensing of scaring people with "dire threats of prosecution" even when they did not own a set.

Anonymouse · 27-03-2009, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

They're the same people who send you a threatening letter about they don't have any record of you owning a car. and if you have a car that you haven't told them about you're in trouble

Not quite. The DVLA is at least a government institution. TV Licensing is not. Note I didn't say 'authority', as they aren't one and have no right to call themselves such. And they do indeed assume everyone's guilty...especially the 2% of the UK population, e.g. me, who actually don't have a TV.

No, we are not an urban myth. Our numbers are terrifyingly small, but we do exist.

(This is not to say I don't watch TV - I cheat by visiting my family at weekends; they have Sky.)