TV LICENCE, I don't have one, can they get a police caution and search my flat?

bluebinjulie

I was brought to court 2 valentine's days ago. I bought some stamps before I went and then produced a licence that I bought that morning from the post office. I don't think stamps are still available. I didn't get a fine. The same day my Mother-in-law had to attend court for the same reasons. They back dated her TV licence from the day she was caught and didn't tell her. she only got 2 months out of a years licence and had to attend court again because they said she didn't have one anymore. I went with her and give them a piece of my mind. It wasn't fair that when we both bought our licences on the same day and went to court the same day that her's lasted 2 months and mine a year. They let her away with the last one because it was her fault. We paid Â£16 court fees also. I now pay mine quarterly through direct debit. if you have someone that lives with you, get them to pjone up for an easy cash scheme. I think it is available to all households now. As long as your house is covered you will be fine. If you do it yourself they might back date it.Paying for a TV licence is a disgrace.

gordon3392

We all should refuse to pay for one,,,,,cant lock us all up Prisons are all full up,,,

Vida O

A license for a TV?? that is SO absurd! Why do people put up with that?

bill

This website will tell you everything you need to know about the TV licence.
You were right to refuse access to the person at the door you are under no obligation to even speak to him if you do not want to.
The TV licence people cannot pinpoint TVs with a detector van all they have is a list of everyone without a TV licence and then assume that you must be conning the system. what they do not make clear is that it is perfectly legal to own a TV and VCR without a TV licence as long as the TV is not tuned into any channels, you could have it for the purpose of watching DVDs or playing computer games on.
Have a read through the link though and it tells you exactly what is legal and what to do when the inspector calls.

The TV license people seem to be the only people that assume you are guilty until you prove you are innocent

Paul D

Without a warrant, they have no right to enter uninvited.
The chances of you being fined the full Â£1000 are pretty remote, my neighbour was recently fined Â£60.
Check out: http://tvlicensing.biz/

vdv_desantnik

they cant serach your flat in the way they would if the police had a search warrant but they can get police assistance if they really suspect you

tynie98

Yes they can the police will escourt the tv guy to your house and inside as well better paying it by way it is easier to pay monthly it only costs about Â£11 odds a month.

roger k

The simple answer is yes but as some of the people have said it takes time and they must have proof that you are using a T.V. in the first place also their system is not so great that they can tell what room you have a T.V. in also when I moved house I got a letter for my T.V. license but for my old address and I had moved out some three years previous so,so much for their Great computer system but I would get one anyway it is only a small amount and not worth the hassle.

groovymaude

You mean a warrant, yes they can. Then they can take you to court and fine you up to Â£1000 if and only if you don't pay the fine you will go to jail, for non payment of fine not, for not having a TV licence. Sounds like they already know you have a TV, if you purchased it from any store, they are bound by law to send your detail to the TV licence authority.

mad

I believe they can - go get yourself a licence to show the 'unpleasant man' when he comes back. If you pay by direct debit in monthly instalments it doesn't seem too expensive (Â£11.37 per month) - or you could always throw away the tv! (P.S. for our American cousins - the BBC is funded by 'licence' payers because it doesn't receive income from advertisers - so no commercials -hooray!)

neogriff

They can get a warrant yes. set up a direct debit its only a tenner a month for gods sake.

daria

Yes they can get a warrant. They can fine you upto Â£1000, it will be in the newspapers so you'll be named and shamed. It really is not worth it fo a few quid a week. Set up a payment plan or DD.

webboffin

Not having a licence with a working TV is illegal that is the law for a long time. You can get a licence for Â£11 per month direct debit and all of this trouble will go away or get rid of the TV.
Beats a Â£1000 fine.
Stop being tight and think smart as you will not be above the law and TV Licencing Authority is law enforcement and if you are breaking the law they can and will get you.

Heather

OMG you have to have a license for a TV?? NOW I more clearly understand the revolutionary war.

mark

They don't even need the police. The TV Licencing Authority are a law-enforcement agency in their own right. They will need a warrant, but you won't get any warning. It will be a warrant and you'll be arrested if you refuse them access.

Linda L

they don't need to search your flat the equipment that they have will pin point the TV even if you had it locked away in a wardrobe they will be able to tell you exactly where it is.from their van,i expect then they would call police to search that i am not sure of.

cfcbluesgirl

yes they do have the power to enter ur premises cos u r breaking the law.if u can afford a computer and internet then u can afford a tv license.
i pay Â£6 a week thats nothing compared to the Â£1000 fine theyr gonna give u.phone tv licensing str8 away and get it sorted.

Rumplestiltskin.

my dad got 10 days in jail for not having a licence.

prentlepren

They can get a warrant to grant access to your property, it takes them time and if I remember correctly they have to give you notice they are going to access your property.

If you live in a place that is a block of flats or a shared property, you can refuse access unless they get permission from each of the residents to access the communal hallway.

kitkat

All they need to do is drive down your road, monitor who is receiving tv signals and match up the data to check whether you have the licence (a bit like the whole tax disc checking scenario). Just pay it. Its only Â£10.50 per month. Its not worth the hassle of the fine, court and all the rest.

professorgriff321

No. At worst they will issue a court summons which you don't have to attend - fine you a Â£100 squids and thats that!

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