Do I need to buy a TV License or can I just stop watching?

Posted by marvelous_witch@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 182 comments

Hi all, I am an American study abroad student and am studying in Scotland this term. I heard from friends who live in the UK about BBC iPlayer, so when I got to my accomodation last week I signed up for an account. I didn't however fully understand what a TV license was--I assumed that because my accomodation's common room has a TV, I would be fine and clicked "yes" when asked by the website if I had a license (yes, I know, dumb American, I should have done better research). I don't have a TV, I was just streaming on my laptop. Now, I've gotten a letter from TV Licensing saying I need to buy one or risk a £1,000+ fine. Can I just stop watching iPlayer? Or, do I have to pay because I've been using it this week? My problem is I'm leaving at the end of December and I don't want to pay for something I'm not going to use in a few months. I know I can get a refund once I move out, but also if I can just stop using iPlayer and move on without paying that would be great. And yes, like I said, I know I shouldn't have clicked yes on that box. Any advice would be appreciated!

Reply to Post

Reply

182 Comments

[-]

RhinoRhys@reddit

So the thing is, the company in charge of collecting the TV licence fee is like the mafia. They get a list of every home in the country, cross off all the ones that have paid for a TV licence, then threaten the rest onto paying them "protection money". It's a relic from an era where the only way to watch TV was by having a TV plugged into an aerial. But now with the variety of streaming services, you don't really need live TV. I mean, technically if you are watching BBC iPlayer, you are required to have one. Your communal area will have one, but each individual bedroom is not covered. The only way they're going to find out though is if the SALESPERSON turns up at the door and intimidates you into thinking they have any power as enforcers and you let them in. They have no legal right to enter your property. (Or if you register on their website to tell them you don't need a license with the same email address you used to register with BBC iPlayer.) Read this website and I guarantee you'll A) see multiple copies of your letter, B) feel better and C) have a laugh. http://www.bbctvlicence.com/

Reply

[-]

KingNige1@reddit

How would you fund the BBC then?

Reply

[-]

Catch_0x16@reddit

I'd rather we didn't. If they had to make their own money, they might think twice about the appallingly biased woke propaganda crap that they keep churning out.

Reply

[-]

pixiepoops9@reddit

What the hell is “woke” anyways, it doesn’t mean anything you know, it’s just some made up bullshit spin to distract us while they spend all the cash in the coffers.

Reply

[-]

JudgeJed100@reddit

This is the actual definition of “woke” in Marian Webster > Woke is now defined in this dictionary as “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice),

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

Important facts like men can have periods and babies - welcome to clown world

Reply

[-]

JudgeJed100@reddit

Trans men are men, so yes they can, fuck out of here with your bigotry, it’s 2023

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

Lol click your heels together 3 times maybe it'll become true

Reply

[-]

JudgeJed100@reddit

Bigots always end up being in the losing side

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

BiGoTs 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 I just don't play along with other people's mental delusions or listen to their enablers

Reply

[-]

JudgeJed100@reddit

Who says I would? Plenty of people were racist or homophobic back then I don’t supper trans people because it’s popular, I support them because it’s the right thing to do, I have friends who are trans and i care for them deeply

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

I care for them deeply as well my heart truly goes out to them but it doesn't make what they believe true. It's tragic.

Reply

[-]

pixiepoops9@reddit

That probably sounded a lot cleverer in your head but written down it makes no sense.

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

It makes perfect sense. All of that nonsense is included in 'woke' propaganda. The dictionary defines it as 'important facts' but they are not facts. I'm sure trying to criticise me sounded cleverer in your head but written down it makes no sense.

Reply

[-]

pixiepoops9@reddit

I know what I means, I was being facetious.

Reply

[-]

Catch_0x16@reddit

I think it was just as an abbreviation of 'awoken' - suggesting that not everyone has awoken to the new world. It's a horseshit concept I agree.

Reply

[-]

5exy-melon@reddit

If they want to they can always opt for subscription based system like netflix. Why should BBC get money when I’m not watching their crap? If I want to watch DAZN or Amazon Prime, I have to pay BBC?

Reply

[-]

KingNige1@reddit

Isn’t the point of license if you don’t watch bbc you don’t have to pay it?

Reply

[-]

5exy-melon@reddit

It was the case before but now they want you to pay even if you don’t watch BBC. As long as it’s live broadcast TV, they want you to pay them.

Reply

[-]

KingNige1@reddit

Wow, totally didn’t know that, that is kinda fucked up.

Reply

[-]

5exy-melon@reddit

Exactly. It’s like going to Cineworld and then a Odeon rep asking if we have Odeon limitless pass and they will fine us if we don’t.

Reply

[-]

pixiepoops9@reddit

Who cares, it’s a biased shell of its former self anyways.

Reply

[-]

KingNige1@reddit

By magic money tree? It would need to be either subscription or adverts. Personally I like how it is.

Reply

[-]

pixiepoops9@reddit

Don’t act like they don’t earn a fortune from licensing all their old shows and other crap worldwide because they do, it’s just a con. Money tree, how about like all the others adverts, it’s not like they don’t advertise their own crap 5 times an hour anyways.

Reply

[-]

KingNige1@reddit

Interweb says last year BBC had 5.7 billion income, 3.7 bill from license 2 bil from all the rights to old show, overseas etc. ITV made about 2bil from advertising, so guess it’s possible bbc could make 3.7, but it would cause a price war over advertising as bbc would need a huge chunk of the UK advertising market and prob put various independent radio stations and smaller tv channels like c4 out of business. I.e firms wanting to advertise on tv / radio won’t have their budget increased, just because bbc start running adverts, so current spend on tv adverts will get spread between bbc, itv, c4 etc, bbc is the biggest / will get the most.

Reply

[-]

pixiepoops9@reddit

It’s time they live off their own dime instead of ours. I very much doubt that it would put others under, it would mean the BBC actually have to provide value for money, perish the thought.

Reply

[-]

JudgeJed100@reddit

Adverts then Fuck the BBC and fuck the governments draconian attempts to fund it

Reply

[-]

BBEBEEBEEF@reddit

They have a worldwide base, they already make a fortune from selling their formats and people watching their clips (with adverts!) on youtube.

Reply

[-]

Ok_Play_1024@reddit

I assume the letter said to the occupier rather than your name. They can't fine someone they don't know the name of. If they come to your room door and ask to inspect as they need to check you don't need one you are legally allowed to say you are not interested. They will talk like they are police but they are actually sales people. Never let them look at your TV, phone or laptop. they will report that you are capable of watching live TV even if you don't, that is enough for a visit to the magistrates court. They are sneaky and will try to get evidence through windows or when you open the door so if you are on anything that could be considered live make sure you angle things the right way.

Reply

[-]

DrinkBen1994@reddit

Quite frankly, you can just throw the TV license letter in the bin and tell them to sod off. That's what more and more people are doing these days. There are so many people not paying it's basically unenforceable at this point.

Reply

[-]

General-Mode-8596@reddit

They always prey on student accommodation, thing is they can't tell who is watching. They're just hoping you pay out of fear. Don't pay anything TV licence while your in student accommodation. If you want them to stop harassing you then you can go to their website and tell them that you don't watch TV and they'll stop sending you letters. Doesn't matter if you are, your protected by sheer numbers in student accommodation.

Reply

[-]

JimmySquarefoot@reddit

This, or they'll send people round periodically to check you're actually not watching TV. In my experience it was better to simply never engage with them - once I made contact with them they were all over me! Sent someone round every 3 months or so - and they were always harassing wanting to come in (I don't want anyone in my fuckin flat at the best of times, especially not on a massive hangover after a messy night). When i moved address after Uni I got letters, but they went straight in the bin. Nobody ever came round in 12 years - though I know they do sometimes do door knocking in certain areas. The misinformation and bullying tactics of TV licensing has gone on far too long in my opinion. Remember when they pretended to have special hi-tech vans that could somehow scan an area and pinpoint who's watching TV without a license lol - what a joke! Not a fan, as you can probably tell.

Reply

[-]

JudgeJed100@reddit

I once bought a Tv from Argos, was going to sign up for this deal/account thing they had going, but couldn’t complete it, they did have my adress though About a week later I got a letter from the Tv license folk saying they know I bought a Tv but there was no license at my house so I had to buy one or else Absolute twats

Reply

[-]

JimmySquarefoot@reddit

Same! But from Curry's. I just ignored the letters. They're so full of shit.

Reply

[-]

JudgeJed100@reddit

A genuine waste of paper

Reply

[-]

Ruby-Shark@reddit

They still pretend to have those vans.

Reply

[-]

JimmySquarefoot@reddit

Ugh, really? Such bullshit. They've been claiming that crap for decades, I can't believe they're still allowed to straight up lie like that

Reply

[-]

cromagnone@reddit

Bless you young folk. TV detector vans were a real thing between the 1950s and 1970s and the technology they used worked quite well. Back when a TV was a cathode ray tube with a very substantial voltage applied over a phosphor coated vacuum tube, the beam used to scan over the surface and illuminate a precise position (a pixel, nowadays) relied upon a strong magnetic field that turned on and off with a fixed frequency to keep the beam in place. Such a large field with unusual fixed frequency characteristics is quite easy to monitor and doesn’t have many other things in a domestic setting it can be confused with apart from (at the time) car ignition circuits. As TV broadcasters used higher frequencies and higher frequencies to pack more channels in and to deal with colour encoding, the process became more challenging but was still perfectly possible. Ultimately what killed the idea of a TV detector van was the cost of updating them with TV technology, and the density of televisions: once one was in pretty much every house there was no real way to locate a signal to a particular property if they were close together. The other thing that did it was that although the technology was perfectly viable, they were only ever used as psychological measures to keep people on the straight and narrow by being seen occasionally driving around - the legal basis for their use was never clear and they were never used in a court of law. Ironically, their legality was actually clarified under the RIP act 2000, by which time LED TV and digital cable had made their use pointless anyway.

Reply

[-]

JimmySquarefoot@reddit

Why start your response with such a smarmy remark though? I imagine the words that follow might be very helpful. It's a shame you chose to be a nob

Reply

[-]

Dresden890@reddit

Having a CRT TV and it being turned on, and watching BBC broadcasts are 2 different things. They could tell there was a TV in the house, this information was used to apply for a search warrant where they could enter your house, this is the evidence used in courts rather than the vans.

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

Their search warrant isn't a police warrant - they cannot enter without your permission even if they bring the nonce squad with them

Reply

[-]

Dresden890@reddit

>TV Licensing can only enter your home without your permission if authorised to do so under a search warrant granted by a magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland). A magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland) has discretion to grant a search warrant for authorised persons to search premises suspected of illegal activity in respect of TV licensing. It is an offence to intentionally obstruct a person exercising the warrant (see [section 366(8) of the Communications Act 2003](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/366/2004-04-01)). TV Licensing will be accompanied by the police when executing a search warrant.

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

They will not force entry and the police are only there for a breach of the peace. Best thing to do is not engage with these parasites.

Reply

[-]

Dresden890@reddit

It's definitely more trouble than it's worth for them to get to that point, but their warrant does allow them the right to force entry, if they're at your door with a warrant it's a bit late to not engage with them. >(2) A warrant under this section is a warrant authorising any one or more persons authorised for the purpose by the BBC or by OFCOM—(a) to enter the premises or vehicle at any time (either alone or in the company of one or more constables) >A person authorised by the BBC, or by OFCOM, to exercise a power conferred by a warrant under this section may (if necessary) use such force as may be reasonable in the exercise of that power.

Reply

[-]

Competitive-Cry-1154@reddit

Interesting techie info there!

Reply

[-]

Jinther@reddit

It's not a lie per se... I believe they have vans, but they aren't equipped with anything, although it's been a few years since I've seen one. The company that enforces the licence needs an admission from a person. They train the people who knock on your door to get that admission. They can take an admission to court and prosecute. The admission is a guilty plea. They cannot take anyone to court who hasn't admitted to the offence, but they will threaten it. If one of their inspectors witnesses you (eg, through a window) watching a broadcast that needs a licence, they'll tell you this in the hope that you'll then admit to it. It's another tool to use against you to get that admission. The simple fact is, if they took anyone to court without an admission, they'd need to tell the judge how they intend to prove their case. This would involve evidence. Because their vans cannot detect anything, they would not be in a position to have any evidence. They would lose every case. So they never do that, but with an admission in writing (your signature) they can and do prosecute. The best course of action is always to just ignore the letters and don't get involved. Nothing can happen. They need that admission from you to take action against you! The vans, along with the red bannered letters are etc are all tactics to get that all important admission from you, with which they can do something, either make you pay or take you to court and force you to pay.

Reply

[-]

ControllablePsi@reddit

i've told them i don't watch live tv, and they've never sent anybody over. I feel like they used to send people round, but no longer have the resources as SO MANY people don't pay for a tv licence because of on demand services online etc.

Reply

[-]

lil_huntere@reddit

Don't even bother telling them. I've never told them anything, they've been threatening to send someone around for 6 years. Still waiting.

Reply

[-]

International-Car360@reddit

I've told them I don't watch live TV also. They did send someone round, asking to come in and inspect my TV setup. I just told him to fuck off. I live in a flat now, not a house, so it's even more difficult for them. No corporation should have the power to fine and imprison someone, using the courts and the police to do their bidding. That is called fascism!

Reply

[-]

critterwol@reddit

I had a guy come round once, I said "sure come in" as I didn't even have a radio let alone a TV. He said he didn't need to because anyone who said come in straight away was telling the truth, nothing to hide!

Reply

[-]

lil_huntere@reddit

They'll never send people out to check.

Reply

[-]

cromagnone@reddit

Bless you young folk. TV detector vans were a real thing between the 1950s and 1970s and the technology they used worked quite well. Back when a TV was a cathode ray tube with a very substantial voltage applied over a phosphor coated vacuum tube, the beam used to scan over the surface and illuminate a precise position (a pixel, nowadays) relied upon a strong magnetic field that turned on and off with a fixed frequency to keep the beam in place. Such a large field with unusual fixed frequency characteristics is quite easy to monitor and doesn’t have many other things in a domestic setting it can be confused with apart from (at the time) car ignition circuits. As TV broadcasters used higher frequencies and higher frequencies to pack more channels in and to deal with colour encoding, the process became more challenging but was still perfectly possible. Ultimately what killed the idea of a TV detector van was the cost of updating them with TV technology, and the density of televisions: once one was in pretty much every house there was no real way to locate a signal to a particular property if they were close together. The other thing that did it was that although the technology was perfectly viable, they were only ever used as psychological measures to keep people on the straight and narrow by being seen occasionally driving around - the legal basis for their use was never clear and they were never used in a court of law. Ironically, their legality was actually clarified under the RIP act 2000, by which time LED TV and digital cable had made their use pointless anyway.

Reply

[-]

IkBenPluiskip@reddit

Don’t bother paying for it. They’re just trying to use vague threats to squeeze money from you. I moved into my new flat over a year ago and apparently the TV License Enforcement people were meant to visit me over 20 times, they were “in the process of taking me to court” 5 times, and god knows how many other letters with various threats in them to try and get me to cough up the cash. The letters never have my name on them either so it’s not even legally enforceable (to the best of my knowledge). Don’t bother paying it. I have friends that don’t pay, use iPlayer, and nothing has ever happened to them. If you want to err on the side of caution, don’t use iPlayer :)

Reply

[-]

5exy-melon@reddit

Bro. Ignore it. When they come knocking your door, tell them you don’t need one and shut the door.

Reply

[-]

importantmaps2@reddit

If you can afford one and it would not bring you any financial hardship I would get one

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

Don't listen to this ^^

Reply

[-]

caiaphas8@reddit

They send that letter to every student accommodation in September to try get students to buy a licence You only need a licence if you watch live TV (which you can do on a laptop) or bbc iPlayer If the flat came with a TV I’d ask if it also comes with a licence, if it does then you should be covered You can pay monthly and just cancel after you leave Although realistically no one will ever know what you use your laptop for, they cannot enforce it, they cannot find out, they aren’t going to chase someone to America

Reply

[-]

I_ALWAYS_UPVOTE_CATS@reddit

Usually the licence in student accommodation covers only the TV in the communal areas, with each room being considered a separate dwelling and therefore requited to have its own. But as you say, they won't know.

Reply

[-]

robputt796@reddit

What if you take your laptop into the common room to watch it layer? Is it then covered by the communal license. 🤣

Reply

[-]

caiaphas8@reddit

Yes it would be

Reply

[-]

robputt796@reddit

There is the answer then. Cancel your license. Sit unsociable in the corner of the common room with your headphones on. £200 a year saved. 🫠

Reply

[-]

DrHenryWu@reddit

How would they ever even know what room you're sat in?

Reply

[-]

robputt796@reddit

TV license inspectors are dirty privacy invading bastards who peer through your window. XD In reality. The way the prosecute is by coming to your door and you being caught in the act or more likely confessing to watching TV without a license. As long as you can keep your trap shut then you aren't likely to get caught. Don't let them in without a warrant and don't tell them anything just tell them to foxtrot oscar. Black belt barrister and that other TV license hating guy on YouTube have some good videos about how to deal with the TV license people.

Reply

[-]

FSOTAsick@reddit

The warrant they get isn't a real one, only the police can enter with a warrant. They may bring the police with them as an intimidation tactic - you still don't need to let them in. If they turn up ask them point blank is it a police warrant? It isn't as it's a civil matter not a criminal one. Even if they 'caught' you watching TV they still need your signature on whatever paperwork they'll ask you sign if you talk to them. It's basically a contract saying 'I know I was naughty and should have had a TV licence' Don't talk to them, don't sign anything and don't let anyone in your house. Haven't had a licence in 10 years nobody has ever showed up we just get a letter once every 3 years which we bin.

Reply

[-]

Hunger_Of_The_Pine_@reddit

This is exactly what I did when I was in a HMO. Never watched iPlayer in my room; always in the common area! Haha

Reply

[-]

ColdRegister6991@reddit

I believe the license covers the entire house not just communal areas, used to have multiple screens/computers/laptops in my family home and we only ever had one license, would somewhat expect the same for uni accommodation.

Reply

[-]

MadeIndescribable@reddit

From what I remember when I was at uni, apparently the distinction was if each bedroom has a lock on the door. If it does, then for some reason that gets classes as being a separate jurisdiction and so needs its own licence.

Reply

[-]

ColdRegister6991@reddit

What an absolute scam haha, glad I've not fallen victim to the atrocious bs the government comes out with for watching their propaganda.

Reply

[-]

LastLapPodcast@reddit

That's if the doors lock to each room. If you live in a shared house with no locks on the door then one licence covers the whole house. At least it used to.

Reply

[-]

Captaincadet@reddit

Also usually TV licensing won’t bother with hills as they know halls security won’t entertain the idea and if they sneak in, every flat is locked and won’t take long before their thrown out

Reply

[-]

liquid_profane@reddit

Or you can just not pay the licence and ignore all of the "threatening" letters and if anyone comes to the door to ask, you can just tell them no and close the door as they legally cant do anything. They just try and bully people into paying.

Reply

[-]

andyone1000@reddit

To afford any hassle I would start a monthly direct debit, then cancel when you leave. The safest, honest and hassle free way of not getting in trouble and worrying about any shit that could happen😊

Reply

[-]

Keebster101@reddit

Downloading mp3s of dodgy websites is also illegal but as a fellow student no way am I paying for them when it's so easy to get for free. The one time I wanted to watch the Olympics on iPlayer I didn't feel bad at all about just lying and saying I had a licence. If you're a fed reading this, this all happened in a video game.

Reply

[-]

BernThePriest@reddit

Fun story that happened recently. We had the TV license folk come by our flat to inspect since we hadn't replied to their letters. I was in the process of moving out and had put almost everything into storage. Normally I'd turn them away at the door but this time I invited them in to view a completely empty flat, with nothing but a sleeping bag, a bag of clothes and loaf of bread on the floor. The license guy didn't really know what to say, and awkwardly said they won't be bothering us further and left.

Reply

[-]

JudgeJed100@reddit

They can’t enforce this, they can’t tell who was watching what, tv license is the biggest scam in the UK

Reply

[-]

yeatoo63737@reddit

Yea if you said yes the tv police come and boot your door down and blow you up

Reply

[-]

strongerthanIrealise@reddit

Do not - I repeat DO NOT admit to watching any live TV broadcast or iPlayer stream/download without a license, even in error. The only way they can prosecute is if you a. Admit to it, or b. Do it in front of them (opening the door with it playing. You need a license only if you watch live television broadcast (any channel), or if you stream/download BBC iPlayer content (other streaming non-livr services such as Netflix are fine. Do not admit to wrongdoing, they will not take pity, they only care about fines. Don't watch any more, do not read or reply to their letters, and if one of their people come to your door, (which they do for people who don't buy a license as a pressure tactic) Shut. The. Door. Do not engage with them. You do not need to talk to them. They are trained to trick you into 'admitting fault' - they have conned thousands of elderly people into 'admitting' to faults and accepting fines even when there is no wrongdoing. If you refuse to talk to them they will write to you a few times a year and probably visit a couple of times. If you do not wabt this, call, tell them your address, that you do not watch live TV or any iPlayer and you do not need a license, and tell them you are removing their 'assumed right of access' (their right to send people or letters to your door because you have a path from the public road to your home). After that it will be illegal for them to contact you.

Reply

[-]

autumnbutterfly24@reddit

Interestingly someone in my student flat did get prosecuted for not having a licence and watching TV.

Reply

[-]

autumnbutterfly24@reddit

Yeah you can just stop watching iPlayer. They send those letters to everyone.

Reply

[-]

DedadatedRam@reddit

The letters make good fire starters

Reply

[-]

InternalReveal1546@reddit

I went three years at uni without paying for a license. Got loads of letters but no one ever came to the house. Nothing happened. Just forget about it. It's a load of bollocks

Reply

[-]

CheesecakeFree8875@reddit

You can pay monthly, you should not watch iPlayer without one or ITV or any other channels even streaming any possible BBC content online. The common rom would have one but is student accommodation out have to have one in each room. Notify them that you only watch in the common rooms & they will be no wiser

Reply

[-]

Mozno1@reddit

Just keep watching. They would never catch up to you before December!

Reply

[-]

lil_huntere@reddit

Just stop watching. They'll threaten you and demand you buy one or they'll send people to check, but they won't. You don't even have to tell them you don't need one.

Reply

[-]

BrushNovel9003@reddit

Get rid of that old idiot box and get a Smart TV, and hook it up to your WiFi. You watch everything to fill your time.

Reply

[-]

painefultruth76@reddit

If there were ever a reason for a 2nd Amendment...this Tea Tax would be it.

Reply

[-]

VrLegendzzz@reddit

Ignore it and don't pay it. http://www.bbctvlicence.com/

Reply

[-]

painefultruth76@reddit

Yea...we tossed the tea in the harbor and established a 2nd amendment over that kind of thing...js

Reply

[-]

Mukatsukuz@reddit

Just opt out here - [https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence](https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence) I opted out 8 years ago and get an email once every 2 years to ask if my circumstances have changed (have I started watching BBC, live TV broadcasts or iPlayer). If you call them their helpline is actually very friendly (completely the opposite of the letters) and told me I would be better off without a TV licence.

Reply

[-]

DaglarBizimdir@reddit

Doesn't work. Filling that form out means you get MORE harassment. My wife did it (after I asked her not to) and we now get threats every six months. I have never owned a TV in my life and she hasn't had one in 30 years.

Reply

[-]

Mukatsukuz@reddit

I did it 8 years ago as I said and had zero harassment from them since.

Reply

[-]

DaglarBizimdir@reddit

You got lucky. They have really been going at it in Scotland.

Reply

[-]

Mukatsukuz@reddit

I know if I don't opt out on the site then I get shit from them because this all started when I bought a new flat. The flat was unoccupied for a couple of months before I got the keys to it and upon opening the door, I saw this huge pile of red letters. I'd panicked at the time and this was also back when I actually assumed you needed a TV Licence to own a TV or device capable of receiving a signal (as this was often quoted at me). Due to panicking I called them to explain my situation and they were quick to assure me I could ignore them since I hadn't moved in. They asked what I use my TV for and then even said they recommend against buying the licence for my situation. It's so bizarre how nice their helpline was compared to their letters and, I assume, inspectors. Maybe they're scared to send inspectors around Newcastle :D They also shouldn't send any letters as this is the declaration I received: "We have now registered this address as No Licence Needed. Thank you for telling us that you do not need a TV Licence, we may still visit you to confirm this. We won’t be writing to you again until just before your No Licence Needed declaration expires. However, if circumstances change, we may need to get back in touch earlier. Reference: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Valid until: June 2024"

Reply

[-]

OwnAd8929@reddit

But equally, they can't come after you so easily in Scotland. Don't think they have ever been able to get a warrant to enter anyone's home to check if they have a TV or are watching iPlayer - without any evidence, very hard to pursue you!

Reply

[-]

WWMRD2016@reddit

Also just use a fake details for all but the address. No need to give away personal info to Crapita.

Reply

[-]

Individual_Nobody519@reddit

Hahah same here. I told the person I do not intend to enter any contracts with you, and I'm unwilling to share my personal data, and I have a letter addressed to "Mr The Occupier" now

Reply

[-]

Octorila@reddit

I couldn't be bothered to read all the comments, but you only need one for LIVE TV and BBC iPlayer. If you're just planning on watching Netflix etc.. you don't need one, I haven't had one for 8-9 years now. Just go on their site and declare that you're not watching live TV therefore you dont need one.

Reply

[-]

FerrusesIronHandjob@reddit

I suggest you do the most British thing possible in the scenario - put the kettle on, brew a beverage of your choosing and promptly forget about it because they can do absolutely nothing about the whole thing

Reply

[-]

Liverfvck@reddit

Don't buy one and "stop watching"

Reply

[-]

joemorrissey1@reddit

Legally speaking, they need hard evidence that you’ve used one of the listed services, without paying for the tv licence. This can only be visual confirmation. They can send a letter claiming you’ve watched iplayer, for example, but unless they know for sure, you’re in the clear. Also, if by some weird stretch of the imagination, they send someone to your home, you don’t have to allow them access.

Reply

[-]

Silver-Appointment77@reddit

Dont worry. If they do come to your door, just refuse them entry. Its legal, and just tell them you only watch tv in the common room. They cant prove otherwise and cant press charges. If they see your laptop. its for work and gaming. They can only press charges if they come in the house and see you watching tv in your room. The letters are just sent out to scare people. Just throw them in the bin. If youre leaving in Decenber, it wont affect you. Even if it does nothing will be done because your back home.

Reply

[-]

Unique-Employ@reddit

I have never in my life bought a tv licence and have never faced even the slightest repercussion in my 27 years

Reply

[-]

GrimQuim@reddit

I've just not renewed mine this year after always paying for one. I'm enjoying the escalating letters, I'll get around to telling them I don't watch TV on the site eventually.

Reply

[-]

Cyborg_Ninja_Cat@reddit

I moved and no longer needed a license and tried to be a good little drone and notify them. I hadn't memorised my new postcode yet so I just gave him the street address and town, which is sufficient to identify the address and the postcode can be looked up by anyone with an internet-connected device (which I did not at that time have). His response to me taking time out of my day to make their job easier was "this isn't going to go away, you know" spoken like I was a criminal. So I decided I'm just going to laugh at any attempts they make to scare me and never help them again. A few years later I lived in a flat that had some ... issues ... over its address. Anyway I had a license but also used to get letters to a now-defunct address. I thought the threats they sent *to an address that didn't exist, received at a property that had a license* were hilarious. Would have missed out on a source of joy in my life if I'd reported in.

Reply

[-]

Goatmanification@reddit

I really wouldn't worry. They've sent me several letters indicating they're definitely going to visit me yet still haven't. At this point it just confirms to me it's all bark no bite, just scare tactics to get the vulnerable to pay it

Reply

[-]

imabutcher3000@reddit

Save yourself some bother and don't. They're model is broken and backward, don't even participate.

Reply

[-]

jackiemoonknight@reddit

Go buy a chromecast then put hdo box on your phone and any apps you need. Problem solved and rapid streams if you like sport.. just cast everything to your tv. I'm from nz and I find it funny that we get the bbc for free and we don't need a tv license

Reply

[-]

Cyborg_Ninja_Cat@reddit

*Obviously*, you should be honest in spite of the fact that it's essentially impossible for the TVLA to know that you need one, unless they con you into incriminating yourself (*possibly* if the coaxial cable connected into the back of a TV is visible through a window that the general public could see into?) So even if you meet the requirements to need one but can't afford it or just don't want to, there would be absolutely no repercussions and you could be completely confident of getting away with it provided you were a little bit savvy about the TVLA's despicable tactics and total lack of actual powers. *Of course, I would never suggest that, that would be wrong*.  * Do not assume that the TVLA have any reason to think you need a license just because they're trying to get you to buy it. They target anyone who they think they can get money out of, regardless of whether they need to pay it. They target students hoping they will be ignorant. * Do not try and ask the TVLA for clarification on any of the rules about who needs one - basically unless you quote the rule *exactly* they'll tell you it's not true - of course if you knew the rule exactly you would have no need to ask for clarification. * Every single document they send you or advert they run will be worded with intent to mislead. E.g. they will imply they are starting court proceedings but when picked through with a fine toothed comb the letter is just explaining what court proceedings would be like. * They have absolutely no powers to enter your home, require you to answer questions, or demand to see documentation. They are just door to door salesmen who will try to imply they are law enforcement officials. Tell them to go away. * You are under no obligation to go through their process to inform them that you don't need a license, and no doing so does not make you liable to pay for a license. You can if you want to. * As soon as you show a spine they will stop bothering you. It's not worth their time to keep harassing people who have shown that they're not easy targets. Again, they *do not care* whether you need a license or not, only whether they can scare you into paying. They're just as happy to ignore people who do need a license but are clearly not going to be frightened into incriminating themselves as they are to harass vulnerable people who don't need one.

Reply

[-]

LowerPiece2914@reddit

If you don't want a TV license and you want them to stop sending you letters, you can inform them via their website that you don't watch TV. I did this and I never get any letters from them. Honestly, it does my head in when these idiots keep going on about being harassed by TV Licensing, posting their letters online etc. Thick bastards don't know how to use a website.

Reply

[-]

Aessioml@reddit

While I get your point it irritates me I am aware If i use the broadcast TV services I need a licence just like I am aware if I want a good quality steak from m&s I have to buy one but I don't pop into the supermarket every week and announce I don't want to buy anything. Probably the grumbling of an old petty man but that's me I guess

Reply

[-]

LowerPiece2914@reddit

I get it, not having access to the iPlayer is annoying. But I have chosen to not pay the license, so I do stick to the rules. I'm more than happy with my Roku stick for the little time I spend sat in front of the screen.

Reply

[-]

FindingHead2851@reddit

What’s the point in being nasty about people who haven’t dealt with it like you have ? That was uncalled for. Pointless

Reply

[-]

LowerPiece2914@reddit

I'm specifically talking about the kind of person who endlessly posts their TVL letters online and videos of people coming to their door. The worst kind of Daily Mail reading busybody that loves whipping everyone up in to a frenzy, who conveniently fails to mention that if you tell them you don't watch the telly they won't come around. Sound like you?

Reply

[-]

FindingHead2851@reddit

No mate, I don’t give too hoots about that stuff. Seems to me you spend far you much time reading things that have no relevance to your existence and allow it to dictate your mood and how you treat people. Perhaps you should get out more and spend time with friends and family . Get a hobby . I would suggest getting a pet , but god forbid you have a bad day because someone complained about something in a tabloid that ruffled your feather… Pet would last long!

Reply

[-]

LowerPiece2914@reddit

You sound personally invested in this. TV licensing letters piling up, stopping you from leaving your house?

Reply

[-]

FindingHead2851@reddit

Lmao! No mate. I have a business to run and all my shit is paid for. Not my fault you want to finagle your way through life and be miserable with it.

Reply

[-]

LowerPiece2914@reddit

If you're going to use words like 'finagle', try using them correctly.

Reply

[-]

FindingHead2851@reddit

Nope. I know exactly why I used that word and it was definitely used in the right context

Reply

[-]

LowerPiece2914@reddit

I've don't have a television license because I don't watch broadcast TV. And to get back to my original point, I don't get harassed about it because I told them that.

Reply

[-]

FindingHead2851@reddit

Funny how you knew EXACTLY what I was referring to though. And it’s I don’t. Not I’ve don’t. See… I can be facetious too. Don’t worry.. That word is correct also.

Reply

[-]

LowerPiece2914@reddit

I'm not sure what else you could have been referring to. I'm going to have to stop this exchange now, I can't in good faith converse with someone who watches EastEnders and supports Manchester United in 2023. If I'd known sooner we could have both saved a lot of time this morning. Also I do genuinely have a business to run.

Reply

[-]

Maxilior@reddit

Someone's grumpy this morning.

Reply

[-]

69AssociatedDetail25@reddit

Ignore it. If they come to your door, don't let them in.

Reply

[-]

powbit-@reddit

Aside of sports and news, who watches live TV here?

Reply

[-]

SpuffJob@reddit

You need a licence to *use* a TV to watch licenced content, not to own one.

Reply

[-]

edcirh@reddit

Incorrect. You need a licence to watch content at the time it's broadcast, including iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Prime Video. TV/laptop/desktop all counts

Reply

[-]

SpuffJob@reddit

That's the definition of use.

Reply

[-]

edcirh@reddit

Everything you stream is licensed. The TV licence is specifically for watching *live* broadcasts on the UK terrestrial channels + Prime "live TV". You don't need a TV to do that

Reply

[-]

ThisIsAitch@reddit

Anything 'live', on TV or Streaming through an app counts. Or anything on BBC iPlayer, live or VOD. The other VOD services do not fall under that category unless you watch live content; as in content that is also being broadcast to the TV channel at the same time.

Reply

[-]

edcirh@reddit

Yup

Reply

[-]

joemorrissey1@reddit

Watching anything on iplayer requires a tv licence, live or recorded.

Reply

[-]

edcirh@reddit

Yep, I missed that, sorry. From the website > Make sure you're legally covered A TV Licence covers you to: Watch or record TV on any channel on any TV service (like Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview). Watch live on streaming services (like ITVX, All 4, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video). Use BBC iPlayer* This applies to any device, including a TV, computer, laptop, phone, tablet, games console or digital box.

Reply

[-]

watty_101@reddit

It's been 5 years still no license had letters saying I might we could and every other none threatening way they won't do anything

Reply

[-]

Annabelle_Sugarsweet@reddit

I pay mine because I only really watch BBC content, and listen to it. So see it as fair enough. Also I would not have passed my GCSEs without Bitesize!

Reply

[-]

Jackmino66@reddit

You _technically_ need a TV license but it’s not legally enforceable and you can freely tell anyone who shows up to bugger off

Reply

[-]

La_Tierra@reddit

Haha pay a tv licence??? Good luck sending the bill to A N Occupier 🤣 I just watch YouTube. You will learn more and be less stressed.

Reply

[-]

Miasmata@reddit

Don't pay them, they're practically a scam. They've been sending letters to my building for 7 years saying "last chance!" And "someone is gonna come round!" And not on ever has. And even if they did, you can literally just not let them in, they have no authority to enter.

Reply

[-]

Rerererereading@reddit

Was looking after a property that was empty for 3 years. Probably more than 100 letters from them in that time. An appalling waste of everyone's time and paper.

Reply

[-]

RodLUFC@reddit

Don't give any money to them paedo- covering cunts

Reply

[-]

These_Effective_919@reddit

Yea you don't pay, but at the same time don't write or sign anything saying you watch tv.

Reply

[-]

Greedy-Fill-4288@reddit

I've never paid a TV license been ignoring their letters for a long time they recently went from red final warnings they're sending an enforcer letters to the standard do you need a license letters. Not long and tv licence is being scrapped anyway

Reply

[-]

TheHeianPrincess@reddit

I did something similar, and rang them to say it was my elderly neighbour who I’d signed up with my details because they kept forgetting theirs (true). I asked if I tell them to stop watching, would I need to pay and they said no. You could do something similar and say it was your housemate or partner and you won’t be watching again.

Reply

[-]

Alicam123@reddit

You stop watching bbc iplayer and then phone them and tell them that you don’t use it and make sure to delete it from your pc. The tv licence is only for bbc and those channels related to bbc (iplayer, live tv etc.)

Reply

[-]

Jayger89@reddit

A TV license is only required if you watch live television. Any streaming or anything like that doesn't require one. And even then, they would need to visit your property to check (somehow) that you don't watch live shows and even then you don't need to let them into your property.

Reply

[-]

DutchOfBurdock@reddit

Incorrect. Use of watching live broadcast via iPlayer does need one, as would watching live broadcast via any of the other apps (ITV etc). Things like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon etc. doesn't need one. https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ291#:~:text=Yes.,watch%20S4C%20programmes%20on%20demand.

Reply

[-]

Jayger89@reddit

When I say live television it was implied I meant broadcast. So it's not incorrect. I think it's just splitting hairs over terminology.

Reply

[-]

DutchOfBurdock@reddit

And you can watch live broadcast in iPlayer, ITV, 4 catch-up (or whatever they called it now) etc. Which do require a license. The OP is American, so it's not implied, at all.

Reply

[-]

SuuperD@reddit

Ignore them

Reply

[-]

Ros_c@reddit

You could also just not pay the robbing bastards and continue to watch

Reply

[-]

SokkaHaikuBot@reddit

^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) ^by ^Ros_c: *You could also just* *Not pay the robbing bastards* *And continue to watch* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.

Reply

[-]

Ros_c@reddit

Bad bot

Reply

[-]

AirHead4761@reddit

I beg to differ. This is an amazing haiku

Reply

[-]

BBEBEEBEEF@reddit

The last sentence has 6 syllables. change the last sentence to 'and keep on watching' and it is a proper haiku!

Reply

[-]

AirHead4761@reddit

I saw a thing the other day saying that the syllables are less important and even something like 1-3-1 is a haiku

Reply

[-]

prismcomputing@reddit

it's not a haiku, as the bot indicated.

Reply

[-]

PartTimeLegend@reddit

I don’t have one. I don’t want one. They knock on the door and the response is “no thanks” and close the door. They will try all kinds of tactics. They will tell you they are questioning you under caution of law. I can do that to the girl in Tesco if I want to. It means nothing. I don’t need a TV license. I don’t watch anything that requires one.

Reply

[-]

Pitmus@reddit

De-sign. Move. You cannot watch live TV from any UK channel or streaming service. Your issue is that you cannot watch BBC iPlayer without a licence. They jail old grannies. Pay up or move. They will enforce it.

Reply

[-]

Zathral@reddit

The letter is bollocks they have no clue you're watching. They send ridiculous amounts letters to student accommodations to prey on people who don't know how it works. If they turn up at your door, tell them to leave. They have no powers.

Reply

[-]

DutchOfBurdock@reddit

Just stop watching and reply to that letter via their website to say that you no longer need one. This said, if your common room has a TV that shows liveTV broadcast, for all intents and purposes you'd be allowed to stream iPlayer in the common room. A licence covers a property, not people in it.

Reply

[-]

GarcianSmith7@reddit

Never got a licence in over 20 years, they never do shit anyway.

Reply

[-]

D4M4nD3m@reddit

Just ignore it and don't open the door if they come looking.

Reply

[-]

Deathconciousness_@reddit

You don’t actually need to pay. They have no way of knowing who is watching or if you’re even watching tv. They have literally no power. I’ve been getting ‘final’ notices from them for about 5 years now. They don’t know my name. Nothing they can do. Don’t pay it, carry on watching.

Reply

[-]

sinersofmathetes@reddit

You can fill out an online form and state you no longer need a license. I do not watch bbc or any live TV but have been receiving their letters of threats for 3 years. Chances of you getting a sales person visiting to check you need a license is slim and if they do simply say "not today" and close the door.

Reply

[-]

horridbloke@reddit

Create a new account with a fictitious name and address and use that. There's no reason to use your actual details.

Reply

[-]

Dennis929@reddit

I have spent years writing replies to their threatening letters, and have carefully explained that they were more than welcome to visit me, which—to my great surprise— they finally did. I was very disinclined to let the man in, and pointed out how many letters I had written over the years, but he said that he was not able to know without coming in whether I was cheating or not. He came in, and was happy that I had no TV, and said that in 96% of the visits to people like me, there is a TV, and people are actually watching it!

Reply

[-]

juGGaKNot4@reddit

Why not stop buying TV license and just keep watching?

Reply

[-]

DylanHart88@reddit

Never pay for the license, never let them in your house/flat when they knock, and watch as much tv as you like. As long as you know how to deal with them nothing will ever happen. They’ll try to make stuff up to scare you into paying the or letting them in your home but you don’t have to do any it, and at least as far as live tv goes they can’t prove anything, and for iPlayer just use a VPN and then they also can’t prove anything there. For bonus points, you can even record yourself opening the door and telling them to sod off when they knock and then upload it to YouTube, those videos are a guilty pleasure of mine.

Reply

[-]

TinkerTailorSoulja@reddit

Lol don’t pay anything. Ignore the letters.

Reply

[-]

Flibbetty@reddit

If you do pay and then leave in December they’re quite good at giving refund for the unused remainder of the year. You can also choose to pay monthly or quarterly I think.

Reply

[-]

Thy_OSRS@reddit

Nah, at a shared accomodation like that, everyone will have the same public IP address so it's practically impossible, to a point, to know exactly who was watching and what room they're in. *Can it be done*? Of course, but its not going to because the effort to obtain that information far outweighs the amount a license costs.

Reply

[-]

-You_Cant_Stop_Me-@reddit

Just ignore it mate, I moved out of my parents place at 17, I'm 36 now and have never paid for one, they won't get you. They just send those letters to everyone.

Reply

[-]

GameCracker12@reddit

Ignore it

Reply

[-]

Dangeruss82@reddit

Ignore the letter. Ignore the tv license people if they should ever happen to show up. There’s plenty of YouTube videos about not paying the tv license.

Reply

[-]

DaladalaGALS@reddit

I moved from the US and was not warned about the TV licensing bullshit. I had two men come to where I was staying, threaten me with both fines and arrest, entered my space against my wishes to 'search' it, lied about the law and refused to leave without payment. I was going through trauma at the time and I will never forgive how difficult that experience was and how hurt I was when I found out that I was exempt. I didn't have the money and they basically took everything I had- it resulted in me not having electricity for 3 days and running out of food, among other things. I didn't own furniture, let alone a TV or laptop and never watched anything covered under the license. Despite the incident technically being illegal, I could not hold anyone accountable or get my money back. I should have reported it at the time but didnt know. I shouldn't have paid but since I did, too bad. So seriously fuck them. Do not give them anything. Do not waste your money. You don't have to subsidize other peoples media habits. And if you ever change your mind, you can get a license at that point- but its really not going to happen. 10 years here and I still have zero interest in watching any of it. (I'm also 20 years TV free!)

Reply

[-]

True-Register-9403@reddit

Let me guess... You're female? Funny enough never goes that way if your a 6ft2 beardy bloke with a resting nark face. Scumbags....

Reply

[-]

True-Register-9403@reddit

They send a letter to every address that doesn't have a licence - just throw it in the bin. It's just an empty threat / scare tactic to make you pay. I have a "friend" who hasn't has a licence for decades twice they've come out and knocked on the door. Friend said: "I'm just house sitting they're back next week". TV goon: "OK, can I take your name?" Friend: "No" TV goon: "OK bye" There is effectively 0% chance of anything happening before you leave.

Reply

[-]

ManofKent1@reddit

It's up to you Having been to quite a few countries and watched some TV there I can safely sat we have some of the best TV in the world. The license pays for that

Reply

[-]

Senior_Yard_2358@reddit

Mate,listen,,,,fuck the BBC n the TV licence, alls the BBChas done is hide and protect nonces for the last 50+yrs

Reply

[-]

Hatstand82@reddit

When I was a student - many years ago so the rules might have changed - every bedroom door locked, so the TV License people said that counted as separate dwellings so everyone who had a locked door should have an individual license. However, they can tell which building doesn’t have a license but they can’t tell which specific room and - at the time, in my particular halls - if they turned up to physically check, we didn’t have to let them in - they would need bailiffs or a similar warrant for each room because they’ve the ones counting rooms as separate accommodation so it’s really not financially worth it for them to pursue that. I think, as another commenter said, they do it to scare people into paying. It’s up to you whether you pay or not but it’s worth asking yourself if watching I-Player is worth the worry or if you could do without it till December. Some TVs can mirror what is playing on a phone so I don’t know if that then technically counts as watching it on the tv that should have a license? Or change your iplayer account name to something similar to the university’s name and circumvent it that way?

Reply

[-]

Forsaken_Lobster_381@reddit

Don't worry nobody pays it

Reply

[-]

chetgoodenough@reddit

You're all good

Reply

[-]

berhella@reddit

It’s virtually unenforceable when you live in an accommodation room like that. For the most part it can’t be escalated unless you specifically let them into your home for a search - which you’re perfectly (and legally) entitled to say no to. Plus being in a building like that they’d rarely if ever bother to try and even do more than send a letter to a place like that and their chances of getting in in the first place is zilch. I’ve lived in everything from student accom, flats, houses but never bothered paying even during the times I did actually watch tv. Whatever your opinion is on that idk, but you can very easily get away with never worrying about this again. If you wanna be sure, you can submit a form online saying you don’t need one and they stop bothering you for a few months. I’ve got a gmail account I set up years ago to use to sign up to shit like offers, WiFi, annoying things that want you to make an account, and just use that with a random name to log into the BBC if I ever wanna watch it. You’re totally fine, tbh you’ll also find a majority of people will complain about the premise of it anyways.

Reply