tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post5160787720354919531..comments2024-03-15T09:20:18.844+00:00Comments on TV Licensing: TV Licence Summons: What To Do?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-54785749310505126672023-08-05T20:59:23.991+01:002023-08-05T20:59:23.991+01:00Hello Anon.
The absence of a signature and date do...Hello Anon.<br />The absence of a signature and date does not invalidate the summons - all it has to do is tell you where and when the court hearing is.<br />They do not need to send you the record of interview form until you plead not guilty. At that stage they will be required to disclose the evidence they have, plus any extra material they are not relying on.Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12702203117069680585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-81467701650882734462023-08-02T11:37:09.216+01:002023-08-02T11:37:09.216+01:00I live in northern Ireland. Yesterday I received a...I live in northern Ireland. Yesterday I received a summons for no TV licence. I noticed that the particulars of service on the back of form 2 are neither signed nor dated. Likewise on the back of form 88.<br />Is this irrelevant? Or does it count as incorrect served summons?<br />Should I have received a copy of my responses to the interview, or prior to the summons being served?<br />Capita (remember those lovely people:-) )Business Services are the ones authorized to conduct TV licence enquiries in northern Ireland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-49308217421747627652018-09-23T10:39:03.449+01:002018-09-23T10:39:03.449+01:00Hello. Back in may a goon came to my door saying i...Hello. Back in may a goon came to my door saying i didnt have a licence, i moved in the house in February and infact did go online and set up a licence for quarterly payments put my details in and debit card details but i didnt receive any conformation about it but it wasnt for a few weeks that i realised that and by this time the goon was knocking on my door, stupid me admitted to watching TV because i thought i was licensed as id been online filled the form out etc etc. I explained all this to him and he then turned around to me and said that the TV licence were no longer accepting online renewals and i asked well why have they still got it online and allowing people put there details in etc etc and he just said he didnt know and told me of i signed the form and set up the direct debit there and then all would be fine so stupid me did exactly that.( so he has basically lied to me as ive checked online and they are still allowing people to renew online) Well a month or so later my personal circumstances changed and i cancelled the direct debit as my then partner took his tv's back as we split up so i hadnt used a tv for a while and still dont to this day as i can't afford to buy a new one at the min as only work part time have kids and more important things to pay for! They have sent me a letter to plead guilty or not guilty,i have decided to plead not guilty as i feel i have been lied to by the goon he has basically coned me into signing a form saying i was watching TV but to my knowledge i was licensed as id been online and set it up but it didnt even go through! Yes id cancellwd my direct debit and if they want proof i have no tv they can have it as i have solicitor letters from my ex asking for his Tv's back and receipts that i handed them over. Sometimes i think to just plead guilty but why should i when id been online and done my bit and set it up but its not my fault they didnt send me an email confirming it. Im going to see a solicitor as the goon lied to my face!! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13649560994554457053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-7103446843568034542017-10-17T23:28:16.641+01:002017-10-17T23:28:16.641+01:00Hi
I have just gone through this myself, I was fi...Hi<br /><br />I have just gone through this myself, I was fined back in 2011 and I had no idea it had happened. I was living at my mother's house and she had a valid licence as I was told, after being on the phone for 4 hours, that there were payments made but somehow my name and my mums was on the licence and I know that only I person can be named. I only found out about this when an enforcement letter came through my postbox and now they have started proceedings to withdraw the case. It's absolutely ridiculous, I want to take the matter further but I'm unsure on which way to go. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-36368481391170279492017-06-28T13:05:48.083+01:002017-06-28T13:05:48.083+01:00I thought i was covered it turns out i wasn't ...I thought i was covered it turns out i wasn't (for a couple of months due me cancelling the DD by mistake!) <br />The "Guy" came and I let him in to see TV equipment but on the interview notes he has submitted it says i didn't allow entry? <br />He was in my house looking at the equipment and i paid the full amount there and then? <br />Can i contest on these grounds? <br />Happy to pay for the time I was uncovered but not £120!!<br />(do i go Guilty/not guilty? go to court or not?) <br />thanks<br /><br /><br />DJHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07780012107134108089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-79340952537753091222017-05-26T19:44:23.250+01:002017-05-26T19:44:23.250+01:00Hello Ty and thanks for your comment.
If you misse...Hello Ty and thanks for your comment.<br />If you missed any payments then technically you were unlicensed and have committed an offence. That being the case a not guilty plea is not recommended and you should have gone guilty. It is unlikely TV Licensing will throw you a second lifeline, particularly as they've already given you a chance to pay by payment card. You could phone them up and offer to pay for the licence in full and they may drop the prosecution, but it is by no means guaranteed.<br />Failing that I would change your plea to guilty. The court will take into account your financial circumstances and make the payment terms of any fine as convenient as possible for you.Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732399111583086465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-32580905911928058952017-05-26T17:20:11.344+01:002017-05-26T17:20:11.344+01:00Hi This morning I received a summons for not payi...Hi This morning I received a summons for not paying tv licence. A goon visited my property and asked me a few questions where upon I admitted watching tv blah blah. He said I could have a paying card to which I agreed. Now my problem is that because I am self employed and my vehicle I use for work purposes was involved in a car accident, I did not have any money coming in at all, so I paid my priority bills etc. I believe I missed around 4 weeks of payments. I pleaded not guilty because of my predicament but to be honest should I have pleaded guilty I am really not so sure. My financial situation is so bad that a large fine will only make things a lot worse and I fear I will be unable to pay. Pls help<br /> <br /> Ty.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17918422263158036447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-52537146624112430082017-05-13T01:09:50.343+01:002017-05-13T01:09:50.343+01:00Many thanks for your response. I will translate yo...Many thanks for your response. I will translate your advice to my friend and will give you an update after the hearing.<br />One more thing I forgot to mention. Their TV is quite old and it does not have a built-in wifi connection. They have a little android box (think it's called TX95) that allows the internet connection. So effectively, the TV becomes a smartTV and the box acts as a wifi adapter. They use TV screen as a monitor to watch cartoons and music videos on youtube, and make Skype video calls. This box is mentioned in the paperwork provided by TVL. I could not find any definite answer online whether you must have a TV licence if you have an android box. It has never been used to watch any live TV and does not have any capability to record programmes.<br />Any advice or opinion would be much appreciated.<br />Thanks a lot for finding time to run this blog. It is very useful<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-5685413118096325552017-05-12T11:23:22.300+01:002017-05-12T11:23:22.300+01:00Hi, congratulations on an excellent web site.
TVL...Hi, congratulations on an excellent web site.<br /><br />TVL have started their little games again and have visited once, though I had headphones on at the time and didn't hear the knock on the door. Such a pity - I love a good argument when I'm 100% in the right.<br /><br />We have no license because we have no means of receiving a live feed on old analogue gear. I've heard tales of search warrants issued on the basis of false evidence and, as we're not watching the telly (we can't), there can be no true evidence that we are. Should TVL staff commit perjury to obtain a search warrant, who is liable for submitting the false evidence? The officer personally, or TVL corporately? Basically, who can I take to court?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Tricia.Triciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07478441036901971542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-31511914135417583922017-05-10T20:25:56.111+01:002017-05-10T20:25:56.111+01:00Your friend needs to submit a plea saying not guil...Your friend needs to submit a plea saying not guilty and be prepared to go to court. The court will then set a trial date. TV Licensing will ask to submit written statements as evidence at the trial, but it would be a good idea to request that the goon appears as a witness in person.<br />Your friend needs to make the court and TV Licensing aware that there is a language barrier and an interpreter will be required. At court your friend needs to say exactly what you have told us:<br />- She is aware the legal requirements of a TV licence and does not legally need one.<br />- The goon exploited her poor English to gather evidence against her. She would not have signed the form had she known the information on it was inaccurate and didn't reflect true events.<br />- Be aware that the TV Licensing might try to twist things to it's own advantage, but she needs to stick to the key two points above.Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732399111583086465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-24973080106044329422017-05-10T19:47:03.429+01:002017-05-10T19:47:03.429+01:00Dear Admin,
May I kindly ask for your opinion reg...Dear Admin,<br /><br />May I kindly ask for your opinion regarding the situation described above?<br /><br />Thanks in advanceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-91987636377503239882017-04-13T20:02:46.783+01:002017-04-13T20:02:46.783+01:00Hi,
I am looking for some advice. A friend of mine...Hi,<br />I am looking for some advice. A friend of mine is an Eastern European national, she lives with her partner and 3 children (two of her own and one from her partners previous relationship). She does not speak any English. The licence was on her partner's name. They had a basic Sky package. In July 2016 they changed their provider and the new package did not include any TV, just broadband internet. They only watch cartoons and music videos on youtube, occasionally some foreign soap operas via online cinema sites from their home country. None of it is live TV. They have a TV set and wifi box that allows to connect it to the internet. They stopped paying for the TV licence and in October 2016 TV licence agent came to the house. The lady opened a door and understood that a man is trying to sell her a TV. She tried to say that they are not interested as they already had one. She pointed at the TV set in the lounge. She was trying to get the man to leave but he instead started filling in some forms. The older son who goes to school and speaks some English informed the agent that they sometimes watch foreign TV series and films. They have shown the agent how they watch youtube on the TV. No traces of live TV was found. The son was helping to translate and said that now his mom needs to sign the form to say that everything was ok and they do not need a licence. A few weeks later they received a letter saying that they should be paying TV licence and a payment card. They asked me to help and I called the office to inform that no licence is needed as these people do not watch live TV. I explained that there was misunderstanding during the visit due to a language barrier. I also suggested they send somebody to check the property again. I was told that they were cancelling the payment card and some notes were made in the system. A month later I called again on their behalf to see if the case was settled and no further information required. I was told that they do not see any problem in the system with this address but we must notify them if situation changes and if they start watching TV in future they will need a licence otherwise they might get prosecuted. I specifically asked if they were looking to take any legal action against my friend and the answer was no.<br />A week ago they received court summons, indication of plea request and means form.<br />Any advice would be much appreciatedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-3670681267301877682017-02-27T20:52:29.350+00:002017-02-27T20:52:29.350+00:00It depends what evidence they have against you Col...It depends what evidence they have against you Colin.<br />If you have signed their Record of Interview form and confirmed that you have a TV and do not have a licence, then you are going to struggle to convince a Magistrate of your innocence.<br />Please download our free ebook and have a good read of it.Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732399111583086465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-38425274293613755152017-02-27T20:07:45.126+00:002017-02-27T20:07:45.126+00:00Hi I have been charged with not having a tv licenc...Hi I have been charged with not having a tv licence for one week, the reason for this is I had only just moved into the property from a temporary homeless flat, the man from tv licensing turned up looking for the previous tenant and when I informed him I was the new tenant he asked if I had a licence, I said no not yet and he said no problem I will sign u up now, that was in October 2016 and now I'm getting took to court for it, can anyone help? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05679247668761269143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-62656032271829650582016-12-06T07:02:41.672+00:002016-12-06T07:02:41.672+00:00We have a box that allows us to watch all tv chann...We have a box that allows us to watch all tv channels for free, a tv licence man came to the door and my son anwered it and told him we had a tv, he then asked if we had a licence and my son replied with probably...? the man didnt see the tv but will i get any sort if fine or?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16348395330034949612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-23284476112460853012016-10-22T17:37:02.829+01:002016-10-22T17:37:02.829+01:00Hi
I have left UK in Feb 2016 to go back to my ho...Hi<br /><br />I have left UK in Feb 2016 to go back to my home country in Malaysia. I have left my aunt's (distant aunt) holiday address for university correspondence (I only stayed at her place for 2 weeks during the transition of moving from my apartment and our flight home). Recently, a debt collector came to my aunts place to collect debt of £822, supposedly for TV licencing summon. He had threatened to take possession of anything of value from my aunt's flat. <br /><br />First of all, I do not have a TV. I have told the guy that came to my old apartment that I don't have a TV (this was a few of months before I flew back home). But TV licencing kept sending me demand for a TV licence fee. <br /><br />Now they are demanding me to pay summons of £822 - I am assuming its summons as I have not mage to get hold of them and inquire the details of the debt collection.<br /><br />Do I have to pay the debt?<br /><br />Can he threatened to break down my aunt's door? <br /><br />What do I do? Its difficult because I am back in my country. Should I tell the debt collector that he has no right to break down my aunt's flat and take her possession.<br /><br />I want to check with TV licensing first before making any payments. I will not go back to UK anytime soon. I may be back in UK in July 2017 for viva - FYI i am doing my PhD and now doing my research back home. Off course I do not own a TV as I don't have time to watch.<br /><br />The debt collector says I will be stopped at the airport from entering UK. Is this true?<br /><br />£822 is a lot of money to pay for an offence you did not committed. But I don't want the debt collector to go banging on my aunt's door. Honestly I have no idea what's really going on?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />AiniEnishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07339450331463005894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-19123528398995886212016-10-13T07:42:23.573+01:002016-10-13T07:42:23.573+01:00Hi,
In reply to the last message - 'How did t...Hi,<br /><br />In reply to the last message - 'How did this end? Sounds very similar to what's happening to me at the moment':<br /><br />It turned out OK in the end. I advised my brother to buy a license (on a quarterly basis) and to back-date it by a month. He watches a lot of iPlayer so it seems fair enough to be licensed with the new law. We waited to hear and after about 3 weeks, we received a letter from them stating that they've noted that we're now licensed and as such, they will not be prosecuting this time. The letter was quite stern, as you can imagine, and they advised him to stay licensed as next time they will prosecute.<br /><br />Btw, thanks for the previous advice Admin.The Devil's Advocatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08537244339755113613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-44706452586601584932016-10-12T20:40:38.829+01:002016-10-12T20:40:38.829+01:00How did this end? Sounds very similar to what'...How did this end? Sounds very similar to what's happening to me at the momentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-28175415584966962372016-08-26T22:26:47.290+01:002016-08-26T22:26:47.290+01:00Hello The Devil's Advocate and thanks for drop...Hello The Devil's Advocate and thanks for dropping by.<br />You are correct that your brother has potentially caused a problem for you, so I don't want to fill you with false hope.<br />However, there are two things that are in your favour:<br />1. TV Licensing will normally only prosecute the person questioned by the goon, so that means you're off the hook. <br />2. Even though they have interviewed your brother, it is unlikely he will be prosecuted because TV Licensing has a policy whereby it will only prosecute a normal adult occupier of the unlicensed property.<br />I would suggest contacting TV Licensing's Prosecution Team and highlighting the points I have mentioned above. Also emphasise the fact that you do not legally need a TV licence, despite whatever your brother may have said.<br />If TV Licensing decides to press ahead regardless, then you need to plead not guilty and explain the full circumstances to the court, just as you have to me.<br />Best of luck.Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732399111583086465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-33533718074956682662016-08-25T22:50:10.726+01:002016-08-25T22:50:10.726+01:00Hi,
I'm in a bit of a pickle as of tonight. B...Hi,<br /><br />I'm in a bit of a pickle as of tonight. Basically, I cancelled my direct debit for a license about 3 months ago because I don't watch live TV (I watch catchup TV on the odd occasion). My brother, who lives with me, doesn't want live TV either. The license was in my name and I own the house.<br /><br />We had a visit from a licensing officer tonight, whilst I was out. My brother was intoxicated and basically gave them all of his details (and mine) and for some reason told them that we've been watching live TV for about a month. He even told them what model of TV we've got and how long we've had it. He then signed the form. I am livid because signing that form, I'm guessing, means we have zero defence. I just can't believe he'd admit to us watching live TV.<br /><br />Anyway, I think the guy told him that we owe £140 for the time that we've not been watching TV and on the form it states that we should buy a license now but that he could still face prosecution.<br /><br />We've stuffed basically with that false admission of guilt (and when I say it's a false admission then I mean it... idiot!).<br /><br />I'm guessing that they'll prosecute with that admission as it's a no-brainer. Would my brother get called up or would I? I'm also guessing that it's not worth pleading not-guilty? Any other advice would be greatly welcome (before I throw my brother out of the window).<br /><br />Thanks!The Devil's Advocatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08537244339755113613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-53764376215731336042016-07-13T19:57:00.393+01:002016-07-13T19:57:00.393+01:00You do legally need a TV licence if your receive (...You do legally need a TV licence if your receive (e.g. watch or record) TV programmes on ANY channel, so the goon was right.<br />That being the case, there seems little point in pleading not guilty (when you are).Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732399111583086465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-6120600938980163472016-07-13T14:21:51.143+01:002016-07-13T14:21:51.143+01:00recieved a summons today for not having a tv licen...recieved a summons today for not having a tv license between 19.04.16 to 20.05.16 i did exsplain i dont watch any bbc channels if i do i watch bbc i player cus then its not live but she told me any channel i watch needs a tv license wich she has stated on the tvl form along with the channel she checked wich was channel 4 think i will take a chance in not guilty?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16652421124829854571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-35851485964040352502016-07-11T11:45:01.030+01:002016-07-11T11:45:01.030+01:00Hi
This is very helpful. I have just returned ho...Hi<br /><br />This is very helpful. I have just returned home from court and my case has been adjourned for a further month. I received notification that I had been summoned to court re no tv licence via someone trying to put an attachment to my earnings to collect an unpaid fine. When I investigated I discovered someone living at my previous address had given my name to the officer who knocked on the door. I have had to attend court to give a statutory declaration and now face a trial to prove my innocence, even though I have contacted TV licensing and sent proof of address, proof of end of tenancy, proof of change of name and proof that I held a TV licence at the address I was living at (paid by DD) at the time of the so called misdemeanour. My question is can I claim compensation from TV licence for travel costs, time, telephone calls?<br /><br />Disgruntled!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-44706364797807822112016-07-10T22:44:01.517+01:002016-07-10T22:44:01.517+01:00In January my elderly uncle had a stroke and I wen...In January my elderly uncle had a stroke and I went to see him twice a week to collect his washing, sort out his bills etc, doing a 58 mile round trip twice a week, which I could not afford in reality. I'm self employed, in between looking after my grand daughter 3 x days a week and I barely scratch a living and have to have a tax credits top up just to get by. This period financially crippled me because of the fuel costs and I slipped behind with my tv licence by a couple of months. I then found out that I did not need a licence anyway if we did not watch live tv so I thought that was okay and we didn't need to continue paying in that case. <br /><br />In March, I had a visit from a goon at my door who asked me various questions. I was looking after my small grand-daughter at the time and it was very awkward dealing with her and him asking questions. He asked to come in but I refused, with it being just me and my GD home at the time, yet the goon has put on the form that the reason he didn't come in was because of my dog! When he asked me when I last watched tv, I answered truthfully 'last night'. However at no point did he say 'live tv' because had he done so, I would have said that I don't watch live tv. However I see that it says 'live tv' on the form he gave me before he left. This was deliberately misleading on his part. My other issue is that when he asked me to sign it, he said it was just to 'prove he'd been'....not at any time did he say it was a 'caution'. Two days after his visit, I made a point of phoning tv licence to inform them that we were not watching live tv and as such didn't require a licence. I made a note of that date too. <br /><br />Now I've had a summons for August and I don't know what I should do. My stress levels are through the roof...uncle came home two weeks ago but I'm still doing a 50 mile round trip to his home to see him and help him and I'm still looking after baby GD 3 x times a week. Financially I'm so badly off, I don't know how I can find the money to buy fuel to get to the court in Weymouth which from my home is 74.8 miles away and besides I don't know whether I should plead guilty or not. I'm in a mess and don't know which way to turn. bitofapilchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00510934498776581623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959111893158321335.post-56002210000152774342016-07-10T01:34:02.732+01:002016-07-10T01:34:02.732+01:00Hi I made false declarations when the TV licence m...Hi I made false declarations when the TV licence man came now received court summons on my sister name what will happen if I phone TV people and tell them the truth <br />humaXOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09637858392462162715noreply@blogger.com