TV licence court letter.

M

Morton94

Well-known member
Got a letter telling me I'm charged with not having a TV liscence
I have virgin TV yes but its very rare I get to watch anything live due to my Autistic daughters genuine fear of adverts and what she may see.
On my TV its usually Netflix and YouTube videos, I don't see any way around it other than plead guilty which is ridiculous.
Anyone else had this before?
What a joke
 
Did you have an agent come round to check your house? If they saw any digital tv box then they will take you to court
 
Normally before they take you to court A bully, sorry I mean agent will come to the house and read you your rights ect ect. And ask you questions trying to get you to admit to watching live TV or BBC and report what what was on the TV at the time of visiting. You would also normally get a letter saying you are to appear at magistrates court at a set date and the charges.
 
Morton94 said:
Got a letter telling me I'm charged with not having a TV liscence
I have virgin TV yes but its very rare I get to watch anything live due to my Autistic daughters genuine fear of adverts and what she may see.
On my TV its usually Netflix and YouTube videos, I don't see any way around it other than plead guilty which is ridiculous.
Anyone else had this before?
What a joke
Click to expand...

But if you have Virgin TV, and you say it's "rare" but not "you dont" watch live TV, then it sounds like you need a TV licence - maybe I'm missing something ?

Didn't they also recently change the rules to say that if you watch anything on catch up, then you also need a TV licence ? The rule is outdated, and needs revising and clarifying given the multiple ways in which people can receive "broadcasts" now.
 
Is it actually addressed to you, i.e. has your name on the letter anywhere. Or just say dear homeowner? They tend to send speculative letters to scare people. If it's not addressed directly to you, then ignore it.
 
The_Lizards_Jumpers said:
Didn't they also recently change the rules to say that if you watch anything on catch up, then you also need a TV licence ? The rule is outdated, and needs revising and clarifying given the multiple ways in which people can receive "broadcasts" now.
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Only if you watch catch up on BBC iplayer do you need a TV license. If you just watch catch up on other services like ITV and Channel 4 etc... then you don't need a TV license.
 
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Rauko said:
Isn't it "having a device capable of receiving live broadcasts" regardless of whether you watch it or not? So that's TVs, desktops, laptops etc
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Not sure you need a TV licence if you just own a laptop or Ipad. However the OP clearly says he has Virgin TV, which you almost certainly DO need a licence for.
 
Rauko said:
Isn't it "having a device capable of receiving live broadcasts" regardless of whether you watch it or not? So that's TVs, desktops, laptops etc
Click to expand...
No, you can watch Netflix, YouTube videos, Amazon Prime, ITV Hub, All 4, My5 etc... and you don't need a TV license.

As long as you don't watch live TV, watch recorded programs that were shown live or watch BBC iPlayer then you don't need a TV license.
 
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The_Lizards_Jumpers said:
Not sure you need a TV licence if you just own a laptop or Ipad. However the OP clearly says he has Virgin TV, which you almost certainly DO need a licence for.
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Just checked on the Webby ..
.
It doesn’t matter what device you use. If you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. This includes:

  • TV sets (including smart TVs)
  • DVD, Blu-ray and VHS recorders
  • Laptops and desktop computers
  • Tablets, mobile phones and other portable devices
  • Digital boxes or PVRs (such as Sky, Virgin Media or BT TV)
  • Games consoles
  • Media streaming devices (such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Now TV)
  • Freeview, Freesat or YouView
So you do need a licence even if you don't have a TV .. I guess it's then up to them to prove you don't watch any live broadcasts?
 
Basically live TV doesn't come on in my house barring my wrestling PPV's that cost £20 for the privilege.
Making me rue the day I upgraded to TV! I never watch live TV or record it ever but because I have a box I have to plead guilty.
A guy did come to my house and I explained to him its never watched, only my wrestling PPV's. He asked me if I was to watch anything what would it be, I said BT Sport.
Interview that they've put on the back was totally different to what we actually said
 
My wife’s aunt for years used to get a lot of hassle about not having a licence, but she didn’t have a TV so she was OK. Obviously if she got any device which could receive TV they would have had her.
 
Whether the letter is genuine or not is irrelevant. Sounds like you should have a TV licence.

I don't agree with the concept of a TV licence but it exists, you meet the criteria for needing one and so you should have one.
 
Rauko said:
Just checked on the Webby ..
.
It doesn’t matter what device you use. If you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. This includes:

  • TV sets (including smart TVs)
  • DVD, Blu-ray and VHS recorders
  • Laptops and desktop computers
  • Tablets, mobile phones and other portable devices
  • Digital boxes or PVRs (such as Sky, Virgin Media or BT TV)
  • Games consoles
  • Media streaming devices (such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Now TV)
  • Freeview, Freesat or YouView
So you do need a licence even if you don't have a TV .. I guess it's then up to them to prove you don't watch any live broadcasts?
Click to expand...
I have a tv, ps5 and fire stick. I’ve had the licnence agents round every year to check and I don’t need a licence. A virgin box is very different though if it’s not plugged in then you can get away with it.
 
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