What happens when I stop having a TV licence?

andy w

If you don't have a tv then nothing will happen.
Actually that is not strictly true.
The TV licensing authority will send you loads of threats and will possibly send around people to check if you have a tv or not.

They basically don't believe that anyone can live without a tv and think they rule the world.

Ignore them.

P.S. they don't check and you don't need to "cut the aerial".
If you don't have a tv then you don't need a license

PPS. Don't forget that if you have a tv card in your pc then you will need a license. It it dependant on having a receiver not an aerial.

guttermoon

I disconnected my TV from the airwaves several years ago. Therefore, I do not receive or watch televised programmes as they are broadcast nor do I record them ( remember: you need a TVLicence for a recorder).

I do however, retain a fully working TV set in my home. I use it solely for watching DVD/VHS videos. You do not require a TVL for this activity. Television Licence Centre are fully aware as to my situation. I watch DVDs every night for several hours, I am aware that they come to my door on occasion.

Periodically, they will and DO conduct clandestine surveillance on my home.

They may even install a monitoring device if they were to decide it necessary.

Once your current licence becomes invalid TVLC will soon make you aware of that fact. Sending you reminders and letters containing all sorts of sinister threats. They will harass you from time to time somtimes by letter other times by investigators.

However, if you were to write to or phone them at TVLC (Bristol) inform them of your intentions. They will provisionally accept your decision but will continue to periodically check you out.

Further, I have done without TV for years, never miss it. Being threatened with conviction fined Â£1000 etc on the behalf of the likes of Jonathan Ross and other moral devients is a diabolical liberty, I am glad that I have never contributed a TVL for their benefits.

Good Luck to You.

P.S .as suggested by above THEY DO NOT HAVE RIGHT OF ENTRY TO YOUR HOME. A COURT WARRANT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THAT.

Carrie S

Basically if you have any equipment which can receive a television signal (whether through computer or a television) you need to have a licence. This only applies if you are watching tv on your computer the same time as it is being broadcast and not repeats or video clips.

If you really don't want any television then cutting the cable will make no difference, as you can receive television through a satellite, broadband with a card or set top box. You will have to get rid of any television in your house.

All addresses without a television licence are held on a computer and they may well come round to your house to scan for any signals being received or simply pretend to be doing market research and ask you what you watched on television last night to get you to admit you have one.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp

crymetyme85

they will come to your house to phyiscally chekc that you do not have a tv in your home. if you get caugh then they will fine you alot of money maybe even prison sentence. they are very strict with regulations. but you must tell the tv liecensing company that you do not own a tv anymore in order for them to update their computer records. as a landlord i always get numerous reminders to purchase a liecence but ignore many of them and just tell them twice yearly that the property does not tv set in it as it is vacant or being renovated or any other reason.

steffi

They will harass you non-stop. I have two experiences of this.
When my father, who lived next door, had to go in a home, I cancelled his licence. Although we repeatedly told them the property was empty, every month or so we get a licence reminder. When my daughter moved in, she bought a licence, but still the reminders keep coming. They have even phoned us up several times, and position explained, but there seems no way of stopping reminders, which are very threatening. This has been going on for 11 years. Detector van has not been here yet, I am waiting.
I also have owned for 18 years a second home that has never had a TV. I not only get monthly reminders for there, although licencing authority have been told of position, but for a similar, fictitious address. Heaven only knows where they dreamed up that from. Someone did come to check up on that, must be at least 15 years ago, but I wasn't there at the time, and of course was using no TV. I sent back the prepayment card they left explaining position.
I have told them on both properties that I refuse to incur a monthly expense of phoning them or posting letter to confirm that tenant has licence/ I have no TV. But still they don't give up. That's three letters/threats from them every month. Although I'm an OAP, I'm a tough old bird who's not easily frightened. I await to see what they will do.
Good luck with them

stanthemansmum

They will still send you threatening letters but ignore them. They have no right of access into your property without a court order - and they very rarely get those! You have a right to own a TV to watch DVD's, play computer games without needing a licence. If you do not watch stuff as it is being aired ie, you use BBC Iplayer or similar, you do not need a licence.

Alfraedin

No the TV peeps won't come to visit as a matter of routine.

They will know you no longer have a licence tho and if they are 'in the area' they will check to see if you are receiving any signals. If you are you are in trouble, however if you are not then good for you.

be careful though if you receive any live broadcast such as BBC Channel on computer you still need a licence for that.

Hope your life changes for the better.

Angela D

So few people in the UK live with no TV that the powers that be can't comprehend that it's actually so.

They will come and visit and you may have to let them take a look...I'm not sure of the protocol of allowing them in but they probably do have some right of entry, they may have to get a police officer and maybe even a warrant from a magistrate.

Anyway, it's probably easier just to let them look and explain you don't have a TV anymore....you will probably find they look at you doubtfully and tell you they will come back and check regularly.

That's fine of course, they can do that...BUT, make sure you don't let them harass you in any way.
Don't accept any threats of any sort that are designed to scare you, be prepared to take names and report them.
The same goes for any hint that they think you are being dishonest...you are entitled to not have a TV, they might have a right to check that is the case but nothing more.