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"do not swear"... do not sensor my speech, if i want to tell someone to fuck off from my doorstep, i damn well sure will. cunt, bastard, shit, twat. they are all just words, it is utterly pathetic that people are offended and/or disgraced by the use of these words.
Perhaps you could do a video for those who might not have the benefit of a toolkit of appropriate articulation for dealing with these kind of encounters without resorting to shouting or swearing. There may be some people who would benefit from such pointers?
Hi Black Belt Barrister is there any chance you can do a video on the laws of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) i understand you have show to impartiality on your videos and this is a controversial subject but the CMS abuse their powers and i find that their legislation is very technical and complex, thanks keep up good work.
@@Palmit_ it's absolutely appaling that they can get away with things they are responsible for countless suicides. Where can i find out about their reporting restrictions of the CMS.
I wouldn't encourage anyone to illegally avoid paying the licence fee either, I'd encourage the whole world to do what I done and stop watching TV altogether. Life's short enough without wasting a quarter or more or more of it watching nonsense on the telly.
One "agent" once tried putting his hand in the door as my gran was closing it so she slammed it on his fingers. He started screaming how it was assault and phoned the police. Apparently watching _HIM_ get taken away in cuffs was one of the most beautiful moments my gran had ever seen.
I haven't paid my TV licence for quite some time now... I've never slept so well... and the letters you get sent are brilliant for getting the BBQ going! Happy Grilling.
@@SlyDive700 wtf, of course they are. TV license fees aren't the exclusive form of funding. Heck, the government regularly tops up the total TV licence fees raised. And they absolutely sell their intellectual property for distribution by others, including sky and virgin media, and international distribution, plus they also get paid by britbox/Netflix/prime video etc.
@@louse_mouse no chance, I’m not going to cower in my house when I can tell a bully exactly what sort of pond life they are and escort them forcefully from my property
Absolutely. Do not engage them in ANY small talk. As soon as they identify themselves, you say Goodbye and shut your front door. That way, they have zero evidence of what you watch.
You don't ever have too open the door. If they want to go that extra mile, through the courts, that's what the message is. Eventually they will get back round to you but that could be years, depending where you are in the pile. If you avoid legally owing money, your debt could be sold out to another debt collection agency and it escalates from there
@@paulcrawley5687 Who mentioned Life saving decisions ? I was talking about the fact he's a qualified Barrister and he shares his opinions on all sorts of matters. He shares his thoughts freely and I value that.
@@RichO1701e They are not connected to the Gov though. They are a private firm (Capita), hired by the BBC (also not a Gov Dept.), so that description would be incorrect.
We had a visit once. I whipped out my phone, told him he was now being recorded, that we did not need a TV licence and that I would like for him to leave the property immediately. He left and we haven't seen one since. That was more than 2 years ago.
There's a CCTV vid of a goon visiting a property - guy answers the door, asks the visitor to wait one second, goes back into the house then comes back with a tripod, sets the tripod up, then goes back into the house (presumably to make out he's fetching the camera) - TVL guy just clears off before the guy gets back "with the camera." :)
Very helpful video - cancelled my licence 6 months ago as I no longer have the capacity to receive live tv, and have been harassed by Capita ever since. The recent visit I got from them I just told them I didn't need a licence, wished them a good day and gently closed the door. Seemed to work pretty well
You should always ask a person at your door who they are and who they represent, if TV Licence/Capita, just shut the door, never talk or interact with them and remember the police are only there to keep the peace and should never assist them as it's a civil matter.
If they don't have the right to entry, ignore them. Just like any debt collector. If they attain the power of the courts, then you'll have no choice. They will be legally in their rights to enter your premises TV licensing isn't the same thing. The courts will just ask for your attendance and failure will incure additional penalities, on top of what you owe. It's only after, racking up that debt, should you not comply, will you now be at the mercy of debt collectors
It's hilarious how they think you should prove that you don't have a TV inside your house. You also need a license for a shotgun, but nobody is knocking on front doors and asking can they search around your house for a shotgun. It's a bit like knocking on door asking people why they don't have road tax and you say I don't have a car. Can we just check the garage to make sure you haven't got one. It's absolutely insane. How far do they take it. Can they start looking in your loft? I've had 100s of letters and as soon as I see the legal occupier, I don't even open them. They just get ripped up and thrown in the bin. Why should you be polite? They are accusing you from the get go. You tell them you don't have one and they want to walk inside your house and let them see. They are knocking on your front door and calling you a liar. What fxcking world are we living in here. The whole thing is archaic and needs to be scrapped. We pay enough taxes. They will be bringing back window tax next. Here's the solution to all this nonsense. Make the BBC a subscription service and anyone who wants it will buy it. Anyone that doesn't won't be able to watch it. The problem is they know they won't have a business if they do that. Who the hell has their TV tuned in these days anyway? It's virtually impossible for them to prove. Even if they are standing in your living room.
I the UK a police officer can enter a home to search for a firearm if you have the licence, in order to check that you are complying with the licence terms.
@@Tocsin-Bang I did a few firearms checks as a Special Constable, accompanying a fire arms officer I may add. I was amazed at the legally held weapons people owned.
They won't come to my house. As I have signs up telling people that my German shepherd's live here. Enter at your own risk. A Sargent from the k9 department told me that as long that you have signs up warning people about your dog. The law is on your side. Here in Scotland.
There are so many of these videos on TH-cam but your video is above the rest. You are thourgh yet easy to understand, you are in depth but not boring, you go in great detail but you don't miss the point of the video. Brilliant video
Having owned a house for around 3 yrs I was fixing up and then never moved into as planned, I can tell you that they send at least two letters a month, every month. They ask, they persuade, they threaten, they say they will visit etc etc. The letters just repeat on a cycle, they obviously just come out of a computer. I just ignored them all for three yrs and nothing happened.
@D2M5 if u buy a home and ur modernising it, u still have to pay council tax whether u move in or not. That's like saying to a landlord, I'll take the flat, but I'm not moving in for 6 months so I don't need to pay rent!! Ýoure still legally responsible for all bills accrued while doing said rebuild. Tv licence is different. If he doesn't have TV equipment or watches live TV, he doesn't have to have one, whether he lives there or not.
@D2M5 if you're modernising u are using the local areas amenities. Who's clearing the rubbish u leave? And don't tell me u didn't put rubbish in bins. The water u used had to be cleaned by the water board, what do u mean you're not using any amenities.? Yes u are. Are u visiting the property, you're using the highway!! Or do u expect your neighbours pay your amenities while you use it for free while u rebuild? Don't know what council u live under, but in my neck of the woods, you're paying.
@D2M5 hi, just a quick one your wrong you do have to pay council tax even if the property is empty. In some areas depending where you live in the country the council can charge believe it or not 150%. Google it I couldn't believe it but it's true.
@D2M5 with possible discounts.. believe me my council wouldn't bend. They want 150%. It states up to councils discretion. And you did say you didn't have to pay on a empty property...
I cancelled my TV license ages ago simply because I don’t watch live tv anymore. I have an Apple TV box with Netflix and Amazon Prime so I use that instead. Plus I’m always watching various TH-cam videos. Much better entertainment on TH-cam then anything else
A friend put a notice on his gate stating, To any agent that your right to entry is denied and any agent who crosses this threshold is subject to an agreement to pay a £1,000 entry fee , its amazing how many tv agents stop and do not cross the threshold.
Revoking the right of implied access can be used to get a search warrant under reasonable suspicion. It's much easier to answer the door and say 'no thank you i do not want to buy what you're selling'. And close the door.
After watching you videos about the TV licence. I filled out the online form and now a certificate, which is valid for two years. Just a shame they only gave me a partial refund, on a full years license. I've read the letter that comes as part of the certificate and told my two children (in their 20's) that if we get a visit, decline the search and tell the inspector "I am not the owner and don't have permission to allow you entry". I will share this video with them as I feel it's important to them to understand their rights to refuse access if there is no court order. Thank you for your video. It gave me the courage to final stop paying for something I lawfully did not require.
I have no sky or virgin tv, and I had no aerial. I watch Netflix and the other apps only. I was harassed so much that I ended up paying for a bloody aerial to be fitted - I thought if I have to pay for it I may as well watch it! A year or so of everything being about Covid, or rubbish programmes at set times, and the inability to pause, I had it disconnected and cancelled my licence and deleted my i player account. I use the money to pay for Prime
I used to get loads of letters and the plonkers you get at the door demanding their fee, because I own a TV. Half of them don't even understand what their going on about and don't know the rules, if you watch TH-cam, we'll you can't I was told, which is bull. As I don't watch live tv After I had 6 people turn up over a few weeks I looked online, with the tv license , and there is a page where you can tell them that you don't need a kicense. I have now done this for the last 6 years, every 2 years you have to redo it, they say its because your circumstances could of change, which mine never has. Gr8 content, mate keep up the great work.
Rich people pay, pubs etc pay.. more than enough money to prosecute.. the question is will the courts allow it, here in scotland no court has ever allowed a right of access for tv licencing. I've seen agents attempt to force their way into my home, past my wife, I used some force to remove them. Usually I just pick them up and carry them out.
i just wanted to thank you. i cancelled my licence today and it was easy,he asked me if i watched live broadcasts i said no i just watch you tube amazon prime and netflix,he said ok i will cancel it and sort out your refund,and if i recieve any letters just ignore them. took less than 5 mins,thanks again
Why let these goons force you to change your behaviour? They don't call any more but when they did it was a five second 'conversation'. "Are you the householder?" "Who's asking?" "TV licencing" "F*** off" Job done.
I revoked the implied right of access 11 years ago when cancelling my TV scam fee, not heard a peep from them since, not even a letter. That call saved me over £1,600 to date
Great advice as usual, I haven't paid a tv licence for 2 years now as I don't use or need one. I haven't watched live tv for years now and was just paying it out of fear at the time.
Same here 2006 till 2019 not a second of live tv till I thought enough is enough if I go to court at least I will know its a force payment with a forced fine and I must pay till that day ..paying nothing!!
Thank you for all the well balanced, helpful and informative videos you make for the community, it really is appreciated. It would be great if you could make a series regarding legal aid, pro-bono and gaining access to a free consultation with a barrister in chambers under the equality of arms if such procedures are still in place. It's a topic I have been interested in for quite a few years and it would be fantastic to hear and learn coming from a perspective of someone who practices law within their profession. Keep up the excellent work and have a wonderful day...
Telling them you don’t need a license was useless for both myself and my parents. We both filled in the forms many years ago, we still get the constant threatening letters.
Great video - If you don't watch live TV or live streams just register that you don't need one. That's what I did over 5 years ago and never had any letters or other problems
It would be good, if you could explain a warrant of entry, or search warrant/writ. They are turning up with it on their phone, and the police help them to enter. Although the police say they are there to make sure no breach of the peace takes place. But go out of their way to aid the interlopers into your property. So my question is, does it have to be a paper document, signed and have a Court stamp seal on it ?
police are funny sometimes the way they express themselves. Just say no close the door and call for legal advice. Many times people are simply bluffing in work clothes or uniform of casual.
I only got my letter one month ago that I am down for a visit, so you think after 7 years that knock on your door is going to be any time now? I’m looking forward to them knocking on my door! as I’m looking to it they won’t come!
I was prosecuted for having no no licence, which was true, although I didn't have a tv! I was convicted as I couldn't take the day off work to make the 70 mile round trip to court.
On answering the door turn the hall and shout "Mary there's a goon here, wants to know if you want to buy one of his licenses?" Then turn to him and say "She said f__ off mate" before closing the door in his face.
Little tip to anyone who's unsure of who they're opening the door to, just before you open the door shout out a dogs name (Wolf is a good one for obvious reasons) and telling the imagery dog to stay and sit, you'd be surprised how quickly people don't want to stay around hassling you Lol ;-)
I can do that but the dog is not imaginary. She may be only a whippet but she scares the shit out of me when she's angry and I'm her favourite human :-D
What a wonderful and well explained way of dealing with a situation again. Thankyou. I do watch telly and do pay the fee but if I did decide not to any more, I would follow your advice.
I had a letter from them, signed by Giles someone, from Guildford, claiming he had seen me watching tv, without a licence, through the window and I would be fined, taken to court if I didn't cough up immediately. I live on the third/ top floor only accessible through a gated garden and a fire escape, even then you can only see the bathroom window. It's not overlooked by anything and I cannot pick up a signal as there is no aerial. How did he see me? Does this warrant sending menacing threatening letters to innocent people?
Even if you were watching TV - it is not a TV licence! You can still watch Netflix, Amazon, TH-cam, watch DVD'S etc. You CAN'T watch BBC or LIVE TV. So even if they did see you watching TV - how did they know it was live???
@@obsidianlimb5290 Exactly. Seems like they are scammers, trying it on. It happened before, 20 years ago, a letter addressed to me saying they were getting a summons as they had seen me and had evidence I was watching tv without a licence. Wish they had taken me to court, I didn't own a tv and definitely didn't have one in my flat. Chancers, it should be illegal as some people will feel threatened and scared into paying when they don't need to.
@@deecee2725 Interestingly the only available technical information on the (largely mythological and non-existent) "detector vans" is a very wordy description of what basically amounts to a digital camera pointed at the occupant's window, comparing the flickering light levels to current live streams. If they match a current live channel closely enough, that's their evidence. So your old call to court may have been based on real evidence, even if the newer, 3rd-floor spiderman pervert situation couldn't have been. Whether this technique is still plausible, now that there are like 120 live channels, is debatable though. I personally am skeptical.
I have subscribed to your channel because I have found your vlogs fascinating. Your are clearly deeply interested in law and following your reading of it takes a great deal of concentration. Thank you SO much for your time and effort.
But surely, if an English man's home is his castle then boiling oil cannot be ruled out, not to mention the classic "Gerrioff ma larnd" blunderbuss approach. ;p Keep up the good work. Allergy warning: the previous statements may contain traces of satire or sarcasm.
Dear BlackBeltBarrister Your doing a great service to the public with your U tube broadcasts , You explanations of complicated points of Law , you explain very well into laymans terms The main thing is you obviously undertake a lot of your time in the interests of the Community's in which you operate. More then profit or return Well done Sir keep up the good work.
Great video as always. I'm concerned that TV Licensing apply for warrant illegally. They claim that they have detection equipment and use that as reasonable grounds on which to swear out a warrant. But it is almost universally accepted that such detection equipment doesn't exist, meaning that the warrant is illegal.
It does exist, it works like this: they have a tv in the van, and they look at the flickers of light coming from your windows. If it matches one of the channels they can look at, they regard that as a positive match. Hence why there’s never been a conviction, because it’s about as flaky as evidence gets
@@PippetWhippet be interesting them watching me asI watch TH-cam and play games on the pc. I do have a TV but its in the bedroom unplugged and has no aerial connection and is not a smart TV.
Whether detection equipment has ever existed is rather irrelevant because, as UK vamp says, it has never been used in court for anything including applying for a search warrant. There are two possible explanations for this... 1) It doesn't exist. 2) It does exist but if used in court the defence could force disclosure of how it works. My money would be on the first one if for no other reason than TVL claim it was developed by two different teams neither of who knew what the other was doing. If that doesn't scream "bullshit" to you nothing will. Imagine you are developing a new electronic device... Is it even vaguely credible that two teams of engineers could design it without all members of both teams knowing exactly how the whole thing works? Is it fishcakes.
@@AnthonyHandcock My point is that in every case where TVL have sworn out a warrant they have to provide evidence to the court as grounds for the warrant. It would seem that they must be lying on oath which makes the warrant invalid. If so this is a monstrous miscarriage of justice.
I have not had a TV for many-many decades and I am 80. Before this video my understanding was/is to stop anyone you do not want inside at the door. If you let them in once my understanding is that gives them the right to come in another time. So never let them in in the first place. I do at times get letters from the TV licensing people but I tear them up.
iam living in a veterans unit, 12 of us are eagerly awaiting the tv goons to visit us after 3 yrs of red letters .....gonna be one hell of a show if the goons do finally come , ive a feeling they will not be returning lol
I had a TV licence for years, but over the last 2 years I only watch Netflix and TH-cam so I called them and explained this. They were quite helpful and agreed I didn't require a licence and terminated it. Not heard from them since.
@@ziggarillo Sorry sir, that is not correct. There are common law indictable offences, for which the sentence can be as high as life, e.g. murder, public nuisance.
V clear & accurate. Question; 'Is the private contractual relationship of BBC actually a public body contracting with individuals AND has it been given criminal and civil statutory protection?' 'If so, on what grounds as a corporate personality in law?' 'Can this be challenged'? (Montsanto?!) Unfair Contract and Environmental Nuisance, Harrassment, Threat, etc, etc, etc......
I'll tell you the truth I've never had one and never had a problem, I simply go online and fill a form out saying that I don't need one, I get a thank you and a message to say we'll review in 12 months.
@@alanoliver5378 I am well aware of who the TV licence goes to. But your first comment was meaningless. You need a TV licence if you watch Sky or various other sources. Whether or not the BBC transmit to your address has no bearing on whether you need a TV licence. And I'd like to see the BBC stop transmitting to one address, even if they could. They would laugh themselves silly at such a request. I'm not pointing the finger at you but there are a lot of people on here spouting off about how they deal with TV licencing and there is no way they would get away with the stuff they say. A lot of them would end up in jail if they did they things they say.
I personally stopped watching television when the lockdown came and noticed the news was extremely biased. I called the TV licensing and explained I was now subscribed to TH-cam and would not need a license. My experience. Perfectly civil thanked me for my call. Advised me to fill the form in online which I did. I've had no issues since.
Dear Daniel, I have watched almost all your TH-cam videos on both of your channels and they are always really interesting and helpful......indeed life-changing. If it’s not too cheeky, I’d like to make a polite suggestion for a legal video:- Many people’s lives are seriously blighted by neighbours’ anti-social behaviour......especially loud music/noise. The police will do nothing (except advice to “phone the council”).......and the council will do next to nothing “keep a record for a few months”. There are probably proper legal remedies (such as to obtain a court Injunction). A video on this topic would be hugely welcome. Very Best Wishes & Kind Regards.......David....... Birmingham UK.
Turns out I didn’t need a licence but the ever regular stream of letters intimidated me into getting one! It was fear and ignorance that made me capitulate in the end. I only realised I didn’t need a licence when I talked about it with some of my colleagues after paying it. I thought I had to have one because I do have an iPad but I didn’t watch anything other than you tube and Amazon prime occasionally. Thanks for this. I will not be renewing my licence but will go online to inform them. Thing is it is frightening to keep receiving threatening letters. It’s manipulative and bullying and should be stopped.
They are on the cusp of what they can get away with. Imagine relying on fear to drum up business. You can demand they stop writing to you. They will stop writing for two years when you’ll need to make a new demand.
@@Nickle314 True, they also do not supply Sky1 but if Sky is broadcasting a program live then you would need a BBC licence to watch it. You even need a BBC licence to watch programs broadcast live from foreign countries, which is just as ridiculous.
I had the pleasure whilst living in Hove (Brighton & as in) of receiving a call from one such individual. Imagine my joy in being able to invite him in, that he observe and record no television was in situ and then his being told to update his records! What a pleasant feeling that was.
Thanks, a very good thought provoking video. I would be interested to hear how implied right of access applies to collection agents who arrive solo and ask to come in but don’t yet have paperwork to force entry. I witnessed something similar where a collection agent refused to leave and when police were phoned to help, the police said collection agent was entitled to stay and keep ringing the bell even after being told to leave by the property owner. It was tempting to help physically throw him off the property but didn’t want to escalate and he had body camera too.
Unless it's private property, there isn't much someone can do. Public disturbance could be the only cause for police action, however, given the fact he's there to do his job, things can get complicated. The only time he's breaking the law, if he uses forceful entry without a court order. Physically touching a collection agent would only lead to a criminal offence, esp that he would have cam footage against you. That would be escalating a situation unnecessarily for no gain wotsoever
@@Kit-yv7ob Funnily enough that the rainwater is cleaner than the water the states pump. The tap water has chemicals in it. I have had to use filters and pour the water into copper containers.
@@Kit-yv7ob The Water Police will call - hide your buckets. Don't tell me that you have been drinking from your swimming pool ? They have detector vans I hear !!
I cancelled my TV license online as we legitimately dont need one, yet we still receive letters which could be described as threatening.! However this is great advice, I feel this will be a brilliantly useful Channel.! Just subscribed ✊
@@Liberty_Freedom_Brotherhood The letter the guy left through my door last week just said 'your property in Street Name'. He didn't even put the house number which was right below the bell he rang.
0:16 - I can already tell you from 6 years of personal experience; nothing. One agent came to the door when I was at work and left a note. That was after 2 years of monthly letter harassment. I'm still being harassed with letters every month, but haven't had another agent come to the door.
It really irks me that I have to prove that I haven't got something I don't want. I won't call them and I won't fill in the form online as it takes up valuable time. Thank you for this, its very helpful.
been paying it in fear for five years now, one of these thugs in front of my wife and she is going to get totally flustered and hysterical and then taken advantage of by these thugs and the law
Don't acknowledge your name or address to these people, simply ask who they are and shut the door in their faces. Nice and simple don't engage with them just shut the door, these clowns have about as much power as the milkman. top advice as always from the BBB love your channel.
No, a TV licence is for watching programs as they are being broadcast and when you have any kind of apparatus capable of receiving those programs as they are being broadcast, plugged in, enabling its operation and attached to an aerial, whether switched on or not, you can be charged. It is similar in principle to the drink driving laws, in so much as you do not have to be driving a car or even be in a car to be charged with a drink driving offence, merely being in the vicinity of the car while in possession of the keys while unfit through drink or drugs can be enough for someone to be charged. Mythical beliefs & misunderstandings have a lot to answer for!
@@1t_wasnt_me Pmsl 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Do you know that you can legally listen to the radio on your TV set? Which needs an Ariel and to be switched on... Honestly 🤦♂️
It's not true that if you fill out the form online to say that you don't need a licence that 'you never hear from them again' you have to to reaffirm regularly, about once a year and if you miss one then you start getting the letters and threat of visits.
I get a letter from these ridiculous bullies every single week and have done for 15 years since moving into my current place. I don't have a TV. If they ever want to take me to court that will be fun, especially as I have two law degrees.
@@_.Madness._ I have two law degrees, I studied at the Inner Temple and I taught law for twenty years. I am a Trades Union and Disability Rights activist. They are very welcome to take me to court.
They never have a signed warrant, that's the whole point of denying them any access to your property. Same with most bailiffs , they never have a signed warrant from a judge.
Surely, they cannot apply for a warrant unless they have sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed ? So, no verbal communication whatsoever with them, no access granted to show them what tv equipment you have. Give them no information whatsoever.
@@hifismiffy They do as they please. No signed warrant in all instances. Not not just TV licence, most Bailiffs also acting unlawfully, some not all. I've havent had a tv licence Goon at my door for years. Saying that I dont watch tv anyway just have mine for gaming . Correct dont say anything except fuck off haha
I had a hand delivered typed unsealed letter from tv licencing. I opened it read it, usual guff and put it back in my post box. Few days later it disappeared. I'm now afraid they have my DNA!
So does an object, letter become my property when it enters my post box. Is it theft if someone removes said object or letter. In this case a plain brown envelope.
I've just moved into a new house and filled out the form to inform the TV licence agency that I do not require one, as I only watch netflix/prime, use my TV for games consoles, and watch youtube. No iPlayer, and no Live TV (I don't even have a TV antenna cable)
Haven't had a licence for many years now, we got rid of Sky, iplayer etc best move ever. Initially we told them no licence required after the 3rd time of them saying we needed to "renew" the no licence required we stopped we've had hundreds of letters now in past 3 years
This is the first year I haven’t paid my tv license and I cannot wait for the goons to come round. It will be interesting to see these goons that terrorise the pensioners.
I cancelled my license 7 years ago and I have only been visited once (and I was out at the time at work so they left me an "offical" note) that was 3 years ago so you might have a really long wait
I am on your side but don't be an arse with them, best bet is Hello who are you no matter what they say you don't hear it till they say Capita Goon then close the door, being a hot head they can have you for threatening behaviour .. Good for you in stopping payment but follow good advice and keep out of court and heavy fines!
I actually send regular e-mails (usually annually) to remind the licencing authority (in my case 'An Post' as I live in Ireland) "Hi, just to keep you up to date with my TV licence situation, I still do not have a TV or any device that can receive televisual information. Thank you." and I have on a couple of occasions received a thank you in return. (My only computer access is at work.)
I cancelled my license and have ignored their letters for years. They keep coming. Haven't had a door knock for a couple of years. They have started charging the pensioners again. They are obviously desperate. Tell your friends and family to man-up, and cancel the direct debit.
If you truly don't need a license, isn't it worth it / easier to just welcome them in, show them that they're wasting their time and sending them on their way?
Tried accessing online cancellation but couldn't find it. A friend told me in order to access this I must register on their website which I don't want to do. I sent a hand written letter to the address on the renewal before my licence expired in April and since then have received a reminder and two very threatening/intimidating letters. The last letter said an investigator was coming to see me on the 12th of July but he never turned up. I won't ring them as last year when I didn't renew because my aerial was down, I spent over 20 minutes on hold at 15p a minute, to then be spoken down to and lied to like I was some kind of idiot telling me I had to back date my licence to February even though I had no aerial until May when I bought a new licence. I do all my viewing online now and have never been so spoiled for choice it's a lot better than the endless repeats on live tv/freeview. It was a simple choice £160 for tv licence or £80 for prime and I have access to Disney+ as my eldest has it, simple maths.
Yes, my husband found something he didn't like about the online cancellation form, threw the letter away, and we've heard nothing since. Quite possibly it was the part about registering on their website. I have written back to them in the past, and as I like writing (a lot) it was a whole essay on the reason 'why' I don't like the BBC. I didn't hear anything back on that letter for 2 years - probably took them that long to read it. I will not ring them. Stuff that. My boy has Netflix. It's quite enjoyable really.
I just sent them an email. I had a few back and forth emails with who I assumed was a pretty decent guy but he still put my address down for a goon visit after my license was cancelled so I misjudged my first impression and now think he was a twat.
That online form is very evasive. You can also use their contact us service (which they refer to when the 'form' page is too busy); which is good because you just need to give the address and none of your personal info. I told them over a year ago that we don't watch live TV (and we haven't done for years, so it wasn't a fib) and that tis address no longer required a licence. We've had a few letters since but they get recycled.
Unfortunately, it is NOT what you watch, but what your TV/Computer/laptop/pad or even your phone is capable of receiving that creates the offence. If you were to say what you've just posted here to a visiting TV licencing officer, then you've just supplied the grounds for your prosecution. Your £80 for Prime is a subscription to Prime, it's not a licence, nor does it mean that you can legally carry on watching programs as they are being broadcast on any apparatus that is also capable of receiving TV channels that require a licence to do so. This was shown to be, in a case that went all the way to the UK's Supreme court involving "Sky", so at the end of the day, ignorance of the law is not "simple maths" and trying to be a smart ass often backfires. Tell them NOTHING so they know nothing is the best advice.
I sent my cancellation letter to them recoded delivery to make sure they received and signed for it but I still get the letters plus am down for a visit!
Great advice 100% accurate. One thing I would say is when you go online and declare that you don't need a License the threatening letters with stop, but you need to do this once a year thereafter or the threatening letters will start to arrive once again
its every 2 years - and to be fair to them, they do email you a reminder when its time to renew the declaration. Sure, in a perfect world we shouldnt need to do this, but it is the easiest way to deal with it
Thank you for that video, I've seen number of videos where police shows up with agent and agent has "search warrant" could you show and talk us through what real search warrant looks like and what are the regulations surrounding it.
I consider telling a company i don't want or need their services just the once should be sufficient. I dont have to tell any other organisation who I dont use their services that i STILL dont use their services every few years and indeed it would be a bit odd??
I emailed to cancel and only managed 6 weeks after the license ran out and one of their goons was round and put a note through the door saying he was visiting today to find out why I wasn't paying a TV license. What I want to know is, why don't ITV and C4 pursue the BBC for their share of the pie?
@@SinkyYT Well Channel 4 is the BBCs advert channel, but you're right about ITV and then there's Sky and any other provider of live TV broadcasts that cam be viewed within the UK (including foreign channels). So there's a lot of slices to that pie but the Beeb take it all.
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"do not swear"... do not sensor my speech, if i want to tell someone to fuck off from my doorstep, i damn well sure will. cunt, bastard, shit, twat. they are all just words, it is utterly pathetic that people are offended and/or disgraced by the use of these words.
Perhaps you could do a video for those who might not have the benefit of a toolkit of appropriate articulation for dealing with these kind of encounters without resorting to shouting or swearing.
There may be some people who would benefit from such pointers?
Hi Black Belt Barrister is there any chance you can do a video on the laws of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) i understand you have show to impartiality on your videos and this is a controversial subject but the CMS abuse their powers and i find that their legislation is very technical and complex, thanks keep up good work.
@@Palmit_ it's absolutely appaling that they can get away with things they are responsible for countless suicides. Where can i find out about their reporting restrictions of the CMS.
@@Palmit_ oh no would have loved to read it. I understand they hide under the guise of protecting minors the same in the family courts.
I wouldn't encourage anyone to illegally avoid paying the licence fee either, I'd encourage the whole world to do what I done and stop watching TV altogether. Life's short enough without wasting a quarter or more or more of it watching nonsense on the telly.
You nailed it.
Absolutely. I don't miss TV whatsoever.
And yet you're here watching random vids on TH-cam.
@@gazza595 This has far more education than anything on TV
Spot on.. the NEWS is directed, has huge bias. i haven't watched a mainstream news show in 15 years.. it's all manipulated garbage.
One "agent" once tried putting his hand in the door as my gran was closing it so she slammed it on his fingers.
He started screaming how it was assault and phoned the police. Apparently watching _HIM_ get taken away in cuffs was one of the most beautiful moments my gran had ever seen.
It's a shame she didn't get a Polaroid of it!
Good for your Gran
I'll take 500 for "things that never happened please Alex" 😂
What a weird thing to lie about
That's assault he was only doing his job
I haven't paid my TV licence for quite some time now... I've never slept so well... and the letters you get sent are brilliant for getting the BBQ going! Happy Grilling.
Show us a copy of your letter, with my user name and today’s date on it.
Why not just cancel it?
I want to find out if sky are paying the BBC as well for broadcasting there channels. And if so. They are getting money twice. Greedy bastards.
@@SlyDive700 of course they are
@@SlyDive700 wtf, of course they are. TV license fees aren't the exclusive form of funding. Heck, the government regularly tops up the total TV licence fees raised. And they absolutely sell their intellectual property for distribution by others, including sky and virgin media, and international distribution, plus they also get paid by britbox/Netflix/prime video etc.
The “Agents” are just salespeople
Don’t tell them anything! Don’t sign anything! Shut that door!
@@louse_mouse no chance, I’m not going to cower in my house when I can tell a bully exactly what sort of pond life they are and escort them forcefully from my property
Absolutely. Do not engage them in ANY small talk. As soon as they identify themselves, you say Goodbye and shut your front door. That way, they have zero evidence of what you watch.
Absolutely they are SALESMEN and that's all!!
Don't even open the door
You don't ever have too open the door. If they want to go that extra mile, through the courts, that's what the message is. Eventually they will get back round to you but that could be years, depending where you are in the pile. If you avoid legally owing money, your debt could be sold out to another debt collection agency and it escalates from there
I like this man. Its so refreshing to find a learned man sharing his knowledge. Massive respect due.
what knowledge ? all he's done is chose not to watch TV . don't see it being a life saving decision
@@paulcrawley5687 Who mentioned Life saving decisions ? I was talking about the fact he's a qualified Barrister and he shares his opinions on all sorts of matters. He shares his thoughts freely and I value that.
@@diddydave2707 Rubbish comment I see what the other Commenter is saying
@@christinedavis5813
Your double digit IQ is showing
I once used the words "I am removing your implied right of consent" and they said "thank you" and walked away. Never to return. Power to the people.
The word "enforcer" is more often used than agent, which I consider is threatening in itself 🤔
Yes indeed!
It should be 'Sales Rep'
@@robtheplod Agent of the government seems just as appropriate
@@RichO1701e They are not connected to the Gov though. They are a private firm (Capita), hired by the BBC (also not a Gov Dept.), so that description would be incorrect.
yes, definitely.
I was hounded for years by this. I've gone TV free for over 15 years now. Recently moved and astonished at the speed they get to you.
We had a visit once. I whipped out my phone, told him he was now being recorded, that we did not need a TV licence and that I would like for him to leave the property immediately. He left and we haven't seen one since. That was more than 2 years ago.
There's a CCTV vid of a goon visiting a property - guy answers the door, asks the visitor to wait one second, goes back into the house then comes back with a tripod, sets the tripod up, then goes back into the house (presumably to make out he's fetching the camera) - TVL guy just clears off before the guy gets back "with the camera." :)
I'm pretty sure that they are allergic to cameras. A few I've seen on TH-cam try to act like it is illegal to record them.
ids illegal. . . . . . . . Google legal name fraud.
This is the best approach for sure. It's because they don't want their lies recorded.
Probably becuase of covid they are recruiting 4,000 new officer this year to tackle people not buying liscences any more
Very helpful video - cancelled my licence 6 months ago as I no longer have the capacity to receive live tv, and have been harassed by Capita ever since. The recent visit I got from them I just told them I didn't need a licence, wished them a good day and gently closed the door. Seemed to work pretty well
You should always ask a person at your door who they are and who they represent, if TV Licence/Capita, just shut the door, never talk or interact with them and remember the police are only there to keep the peace and should never assist them as it's a civil matter.
8
How can you go to jail then if it’s civil?
What happens if the person has a warrant mate? Theyll come in...
Don't even open the door. I shout through the closed door to anyone I'm not expecting.
If they don't have the right to entry, ignore them. Just like any debt collector. If they attain the power of the courts, then you'll have no choice. They will be legally in their rights to enter your premises
TV licensing isn't the same thing. The courts will just ask for your attendance and failure will incure additional penalities, on top of what you owe.
It's only after, racking up that debt, should you not comply, will you now be at the mercy of debt collectors
It's hilarious how they think you should prove that you don't have a TV inside your house. You also need a license for a shotgun, but nobody is knocking on front doors and asking can they search around your house for a shotgun.
It's a bit like knocking on door asking people why they don't have road tax and you say I don't have a car. Can we just check the garage to make sure you haven't got one. It's absolutely insane.
How far do they take it. Can they start looking in your loft?
I've had 100s of letters and as soon as I see the legal occupier, I don't even open them. They just get ripped up and thrown in the bin.
Why should you be polite? They are accusing you from the get go. You tell them you don't have one and they want to walk inside your house and let them see. They are knocking on your front door and calling you a liar. What fxcking world are we living in here. The whole thing is archaic and needs to be scrapped. We pay enough taxes. They will be bringing back window tax next.
Here's the solution to all this nonsense. Make the BBC a subscription service and anyone who wants it will buy it. Anyone that doesn't won't be able to watch it. The problem is they know they won't have a business if they do that.
Who the hell has their TV tuned in these days anyway? It's virtually impossible for them to prove. Even if they are standing in your living room.
The equally insane thing is that I can watch BBC from here in the land of traitors (USA) with no TV license or subscription.
Excellent 👍
@ Mark Stephens: The problem here though, Mark, is that if you are less than polite they can do you for threatening behaviour.
I the UK a police officer can enter a home to search for a firearm if you have the licence, in order to check that you are complying with the licence terms.
@@Tocsin-Bang I did a few firearms checks as a Special Constable, accompanying a fire arms officer I may add. I was amazed at the legally held weapons people owned.
LONG LIVE THE INSPECTORS. I love these inspectors. I always invite them in and lead them to the back courtyard. I have not fed my dogs for years.
😂
They won't come to my house. As I have signs up telling people that my German shepherd's live here. Enter at your own risk. A Sargent from the k9 department told me that as long that you have signs up warning people about your dog. The law is on your side. Here in Scotland.
There are so many of these videos on TH-cam but your video is above the rest. You are thourgh yet easy to understand, you are in depth but not boring, you go in great detail but you don't miss the point of the video. Brilliant video
Having owned a house for around 3 yrs I was fixing up and then never moved into as planned, I can tell you that they send at least two letters a month, every month. They ask, they persuade, they threaten, they say they will visit etc etc. The letters just repeat on a cycle, they obviously just come out of a computer. I just ignored them all for three yrs and nothing happened.
@D2M5 if u buy a home and ur modernising it, u still have to pay council tax whether u move in or not. That's like saying to a landlord, I'll take the flat, but I'm not moving in for 6 months so I don't need to pay rent!! Ýoure still legally responsible for all bills accrued while doing said rebuild. Tv licence is different. If he doesn't have TV equipment or watches live TV, he doesn't have to have one, whether he lives there or not.
@D2M5 if you're modernising u are using the local areas amenities. Who's clearing the rubbish u leave? And don't tell me u didn't put rubbish in bins. The water u used had to be cleaned by the water board, what do u mean you're not using any amenities.? Yes u are. Are u visiting the property, you're using the highway!! Or do u expect your neighbours pay your amenities while you use it for free while u rebuild? Don't know what council u live under, but in my neck of the woods, you're paying.
@D2M5 You DO have to pay CT on an empty property.
@D2M5 hi, just a quick one your wrong you do have to pay council tax even if the property is empty. In some areas depending where you live in the country the council can charge believe it or not 150%. Google it I couldn't believe it but it's true.
@D2M5 with possible discounts.. believe me my council wouldn't bend. They want 150%. It states up to councils discretion. And you did say you didn't have to pay on a empty property...
I cancelled my TV license ages ago simply because I don’t watch live tv anymore. I have an Apple TV box with Netflix and Amazon Prime so I use that instead. Plus I’m always watching various TH-cam videos. Much better entertainment on TH-cam then anything else
A friend put a notice on his gate stating, To any agent that your right to entry is denied and any agent who crosses this threshold is subject to an agreement to pay a £1,000 entry fee , its amazing how many tv agents stop and do not cross the threshold.
@@rich-pickings9147 I think I will try this 🤣
@@rich-pickings9147 thank you
Revoking the right of implied access can be used to get a search warrant under reasonable suspicion. It's much easier to answer the door and say 'no thank you i do not want to buy what you're selling'. And close the door.
@@rich-pickings9147 Yes they can, people get convicted all of the time too.
@@rich-pickings9147 it happens all the time. How do you think so many people end up in court?
After watching you videos about the TV licence.
I filled out the online form and now a certificate, which is valid for two years.
Just a shame they only gave me a partial refund, on a full years license.
I've read the letter that comes as part of the certificate and told my two children (in their 20's) that if we get a visit, decline the search and tell the inspector "I am not the owner and don't have permission to allow you entry".
I will share this video with them as I feel it's important to them to understand their rights to refuse access if there is no court order.
Thank you for your video. It gave me the courage to final stop paying for something I lawfully did not require.
Can we also call out the fucked up way TV licence is enforced thru fear?
This is something in discussion at gvt level - the threatening manner of letters, etc.
@Jack W FUNDED JIMMY SAVILE TO THE TUNE OF 40 MILLION THEY CAN FUCK OFF NOT WITH MY MONEY
Fear is how the actors pretending to run the Country operate for their masters. Haven’t you noticed the last eighteen months.
I have no sky or virgin tv, and I had no aerial. I watch Netflix and the other apps only. I was harassed so much that I ended up paying for a bloody aerial to be fitted - I thought if I have to pay for it I may as well watch it! A year or so of everything being about Covid, or rubbish programmes at set times, and
the inability to pause, I had it disconnected and cancelled my licence and deleted my i player account. I use the money to pay for Prime
@@BlackBeltBarrister It is high time that this intimidation was made unlawful - would this behaviour stand in other countries ?
I've told them twice I don't need a TV licence but they still send the threatening letters. Keep up with the good work. God bless
You know what - for a lawyer, you don't seem like a bad bloke. That must be a first.
😁👍
Have you seen LegalEagle?
Yes and his advice is FREE! What’s going on?
@@shadowcitizen545 yup!
@FunkinAffiliate Okay...an *overpaid* lawyer. :-)
I used to get loads of letters and the plonkers you get at the door demanding their fee, because I own a TV.
Half of them don't even understand what their going on about and don't know the rules, if you watch TH-cam, we'll you can't I was told, which is bull. As I don't watch live tv
After I had 6 people turn up over a few weeks I looked online, with the tv license , and there is a page where you can tell them that you don't need a kicense.
I have now done this for the last 6 years, every 2 years you have to redo it, they say its because your circumstances could of change, which mine never has.
Gr8 content, mate keep up the great work.
If enough people cancel, they'll have no funds for their threats of legal action.
*That would be around 20 Million Honest Payers !*
Rich people pay, pubs etc pay.. more than enough money to prosecute.. the question is will the courts allow it, here in scotland no court has ever allowed a right of access for tv licencing. I've seen agents attempt to force their way into my home, past my wife, I used some force to remove them. Usually I just pick them up and carry them out.
Go on the BBC website and look at who funds them
About 500 a day are cancelling....
Natural Druid usually 😂
i just wanted to thank you. i cancelled my licence today and it was easy,he asked me if i watched live broadcasts i said no i just watch you tube amazon prime and netflix,he said ok i will cancel it and sort out your refund,and if i recieve any letters just ignore them. took less than 5 mins,thanks again
Best advice is this DONT ANSWER YOUR FRONT DOOR TO THESE SNAKE OIL SALESMEN REMEMBER THIS NO CONTACT NO CONTRACT NO WORRIES.😊
I bet the goons HATE those video door bells! :)
@@madspaniel4271 O yes and every one should have a cctv camera in my opinion.😂
Why let these goons force you to change your behaviour? They don't call any more but when they did it was a five second 'conversation'.
"Are you the householder?"
"Who's asking?"
"TV licencing"
"F*** off"
Job done.
I revoked the implied right of access 11 years ago when cancelling my TV scam fee, not heard a peep from them since, not even a letter. That call saved me over £1,600 to date
Great advice as usual, I haven't paid a tv licence for 2 years now as I don't use or need one. I haven't watched live tv for years now and was just paying it out of fear at the time.
Same here 2006 till 2019 not a second of live tv till I thought enough is enough if I go to court at least I will know its a force payment with a forced fine and I must pay till that day ..paying nothing!!
It doesn't just relate to live TV though. If you record something and watch it later that counts 😕
You never have too pay if you never watch the BBC, no matter what platform this is on. No broadcasts of the BBC is permitted, without a license
I've allegedly been under investigation with an imminent home visit for 11 years now.
Thank you for all the well balanced, helpful and informative videos you make for the community, it really is appreciated. It would be great if you could make a series regarding legal aid, pro-bono and gaining access to a free consultation with a barrister in chambers under the equality of arms if such procedures are still in place. It's a topic I have been interested in for quite a few years and it would be fantastic to hear and learn coming from a perspective of someone who practices law within their profession. Keep up the excellent work and have a wonderful day...
Maybe we should all follow the BBCs example and start charging people for services whether they want them or not... easy money!
Surely When they identify themselves, say nothing and "politely" close the door
Exactly what "Chilli John Carne" says to do.
I plan to say "no thanks, we dont want any" and then shut the door, after all thats what you say to salesmen
Yes. Say nothing else.
Great idea. It worked for me, & they simply went away. No need for nasty confrontation & breast beating.
You are the man, it's a pity more of your profession don't do this
The charge is £ 950 per hour plus vat .I know.
Shared as always xxx Thank you for taking the time to explain things for us regular folks xxx your channel is much appreciated.
I just applied online told them I dont need one .. never bothered me again .. job done.. loving the vids .. very interesting topics
Just put up a sign saying "While jet fuel may not melt steel beams, Capita TVL enforcers are not made out of steel"
On my door there's no space left for such a sign because I already got a sign up. It says "The dog has a gun and refuses to take his medication".
@@LittleKitty22 😂
Telling them you don’t need a license was useless for both myself and my parents. We both filled in the forms many years ago, we still get the constant threatening letters.
I do not have a class 1 HGV license, but DVLA does pursue me to find why.
I don't have a pilot's licence, and have *never* been approached by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The Lorry Detector Vans were picking up caravans - the technology is still unproven !
Great video - If you don't watch live TV or live streams just register that you don't need one. That's what I did over 5 years ago and never had any letters or other problems
It would be good, if you could explain a warrant of entry, or search warrant/writ. They are turning up with it on their phone, and the police help them to enter. Although the police say they are there to make sure no breach of the peace takes place. But go out of their way to aid the interlopers into your property. So my question is, does it have to be a paper document, signed and have a Court stamp seal on it ?
police are funny sometimes the way they express themselves. Just say no close the door and call for legal advice. Many times people are simply bluffing in work clothes or uniform of casual.
Offset the costs of tv licence dont watch live broadcasts and put the money saved towards heating bills!.
STAY WARM AND KEEP YOUR SANITY.
Haven't paid a licence for at least 5 years, my property is under investigation or something, waiting for the knock at my door any day now.
I had one of their goons visit last week. I just ignored the door. Thanks to my CCTV I now know what type of car he drives. 😂
I only got my letter one month ago that I am down for a visit, so you think after 7 years that knock on your door is going to be any time now? I’m looking forward to them knocking on my door! as I’m looking to it they won’t come!
@@tinkerno11 Well, they did knock on my door about 3 years ago, told them to beat it.
The harassment / intimidation from this lot is different level
I watch live tv all the time and have not paid the licence for years and what has happened? Nothing.
I've never had one in 47 years
I was prosecuted for having no no licence, which was true, although I didn't have a tv! I was convicted as I couldn't take the day off work to make the 70 mile round trip to court.
On answering the door turn the hall and shout "Mary there's a goon here, wants to know if you want to buy one of his licenses?" Then turn to him and say "She said f__ off mate" before closing the door in his face.
TV licensing is one of the biggest scams I've ever heard of
Little tip to anyone who's unsure of who they're opening the door to, just before you open the door shout out a dogs name (Wolf is a good one for obvious reasons) and telling the imagery dog to stay and sit, you'd be surprised how quickly people don't want to stay around hassling you Lol ;-)
I can do that but the dog is not imaginary. She may be only a whippet but she scares the shit out of me when she's angry and I'm her favourite human :-D
What a wonderful and well explained way of dealing with a situation again. Thankyou. I do watch telly and do pay the fee but if I did decide not to any more, I would follow your advice.
I had a letter from them, signed by Giles someone, from Guildford, claiming he had seen me watching tv, without a licence, through the window and I would be fined, taken to court if I didn't cough up immediately.
I live on the third/ top floor only accessible through a gated garden and a fire escape, even then you can only see the bathroom window. It's not overlooked by anything and I cannot pick up a signal as there is no aerial. How did he see me? Does this warrant sending menacing threatening letters to innocent people?
Do you still have the letter? It might amount to falsifying evidence, or something.
So funny!!
Even if you were watching TV - it is not a TV licence! You can still watch Netflix, Amazon, TH-cam, watch DVD'S etc. You CAN'T watch BBC or LIVE TV. So even if they did see you watching TV - how did they know it was live???
@@obsidianlimb5290 Exactly. Seems like they are scammers, trying it on. It happened before, 20 years ago, a letter addressed to me saying they were getting a summons as they had seen me and had evidence I was watching tv without a licence. Wish they had taken me to court, I didn't own a tv and definitely didn't have one in my flat. Chancers, it should be illegal as some people will feel threatened and scared into paying when they don't need to.
@@deecee2725 Interestingly the only available technical information on the (largely mythological and non-existent) "detector vans" is a very wordy description of what basically amounts to a digital camera pointed at the occupant's window, comparing the flickering light levels to current live streams. If they match a current live channel closely enough, that's their evidence. So your old call to court may have been based on real evidence, even if the newer, 3rd-floor spiderman pervert situation couldn't have been.
Whether this technique is still plausible, now that there are like 120 live channels, is debatable though. I personally am skeptical.
I have subscribed to your channel because I have found your vlogs fascinating. Your are clearly deeply interested in law and following your reading of it takes a great deal of concentration. Thank you SO much for your time and effort.
As a Barrister he should an interest in the law. Its his livelihood?? Duh!!
But surely, if an English man's home is his castle then boiling oil cannot be ruled out, not to mention the classic "Gerrioff ma larnd" blunderbuss approach. ;p Keep up the good work. Allergy warning: the previous statements may contain traces of satire or sarcasm.
These days it's enough to open the door and sneeze on them 😂
Love your sense of humour!
@@EricTViking your sense of humour easily matches the person you answered! That’s what I love about us Brits!
Love this comment 😂🤣
@Vinreld the quiet Brilliant, should get you nominated for best comment of the year award.
Dear BlackBeltBarrister
Your doing a great service to the public with your U tube broadcasts , You explanations of complicated points of Law , you explain very well into laymans terms The main thing is you obviously undertake a lot of your time in the interests of the Community's in which you operate. More then profit or return
Well done Sir keep up the good work.
Great video as always. I'm concerned that TV Licensing apply for warrant illegally. They claim that they have detection equipment and use that as reasonable grounds on which to swear out a warrant. But it is almost universally accepted that such detection equipment doesn't exist, meaning that the warrant is illegal.
True, apparently a TV detector van evidence has never been used in a court to prosecute anyone.
It does exist, it works like this: they have a tv in the van, and they look at the flickers of light coming from your windows. If it matches one of the channels they can look at, they regard that as a positive match. Hence why there’s never been a conviction, because it’s about as flaky as evidence gets
@@PippetWhippet be interesting them watching me asI watch TH-cam and play games on the pc. I do have a TV but its in the bedroom unplugged and has no aerial connection and is not a smart TV.
Whether detection equipment has ever existed is rather irrelevant because, as UK vamp says, it has never been used in court for anything including applying for a search warrant. There are two possible explanations for this...
1) It doesn't exist.
2) It does exist but if used in court the defence could force disclosure of how it works.
My money would be on the first one if for no other reason than TVL claim it was developed by two different teams neither of who knew what the other was doing. If that doesn't scream "bullshit" to you nothing will. Imagine you are developing a new electronic device... Is it even vaguely credible that two teams of engineers could design it without all members of both teams knowing exactly how the whole thing works? Is it fishcakes.
@@AnthonyHandcock My point is that in every case where TVL have sworn out a warrant they have to provide evidence to the court as grounds for the warrant. It would seem that they must be lying on oath which makes the warrant invalid. If so this is a monstrous miscarriage of justice.
I have not had a TV for many-many decades and I am 80. Before this video my understanding was/is to stop anyone you do not want inside at the door. If you let them in once my understanding is that gives them the right to come in another time. So never let them in in the first place. I do at times get letters from the TV licensing people but I tear them up.
iam living in a veterans unit, 12 of us are eagerly awaiting the tv goons to visit us after 3 yrs of red letters .....gonna be one hell of a show if the goons do finally come , ive a feeling they will not be returning lol
I had a TV licence for years, but over the last 2 years I only watch Netflix and TH-cam so I called them and explained this. They were quite helpful and agreed I didn't require a licence and terminated it. Not heard from them since.
Is Capita causing a public nuisance? As a crime, it's a common law offence with a life sentence (bit hard for a company).
I have studies common law a bur (not as much as I'd like) and would love a citation for that. It would be extremely useful.
There are no "penalties" under "common law", "penalties" are defined by statute.
Morris v Bearmore 1980 71 cr APP256. This law was the precedent and if they dont leave use this
@@ziggarillo Sorry sir, that is not correct. There are common law indictable offences, for which the sentence can be as high as life, e.g. murder, public nuisance.
V clear & accurate. Question; 'Is the private contractual relationship of BBC actually a public body contracting with individuals AND has it been given criminal and civil statutory protection?' 'If so, on what grounds as a corporate personality in law?' 'Can this be challenged'? (Montsanto?!) Unfair Contract and Environmental Nuisance, Harrassment, Threat, etc, etc, etc......
Can you not just send a letter to the BBC and tell them to stop transmitting to my address, if they fail to do so I can't be held responsible.
I don't think you understand the circumstances in which you need a TV licence.
I'll tell you the truth I've never had one and never had a problem, I simply go online and fill a form out saying that I don't need one, I get a thank you and a message to say we'll review in 12 months.
Don't read the TV licencing site it's bollocks, all money raised through the licence goes to fund the BBC and the BBC only don't let them con you.
@@alanoliver5378 I am well aware of who the TV licence goes to. But your first comment was meaningless. You need a TV licence if you watch Sky or various other sources. Whether or not the BBC transmit to your address has no bearing on whether you need a TV licence. And I'd like to see the BBC stop transmitting to one address, even if they could. They would laugh themselves silly at such a request.
I'm not pointing the finger at you but there are a lot of people on here spouting off about how they deal with TV licencing and there is no way they would get away with the stuff they say. A lot of them would end up in jail if they did they things they say.
I personally stopped watching television when the lockdown came and noticed the news was extremely biased. I called the TV licensing and explained I was now subscribed to TH-cam and would not need a license.
My experience. Perfectly civil thanked me for my call. Advised me to fill the form in online which I did. I've had no issues since.
Dear Daniel,
I have watched almost all your TH-cam videos on both of your channels and they are always really interesting and helpful......indeed life-changing.
If it’s not too cheeky, I’d like to make a polite suggestion for a legal video:-
Many people’s lives are seriously blighted by neighbours’ anti-social behaviour......especially loud music/noise.
The police will do nothing (except advice to “phone the council”).......and the council will do next to nothing “keep a record for a few months”.
There are probably proper legal remedies (such as to obtain a court Injunction).
A video on this topic would be hugely welcome.
Very Best Wishes & Kind Regards.......David....... Birmingham UK.
Turns out I didn’t need a licence but the ever regular stream of letters intimidated me into getting one! It was fear and ignorance that made me capitulate in the end. I only realised I didn’t need a licence when I talked about it with some of my colleagues after paying it. I thought I had to have one because I do have an iPad but I didn’t watch anything other than you tube and Amazon prime occasionally. Thanks for this. I will not be renewing my licence but will go online to inform them. Thing is it is frightening to keep receiving threatening letters. It’s manipulative and bullying and should be stopped.
This guy is really good. Thank you for using your valuable time to inform us on so many topics.
🙏
Can't believe people actual would buy a tv license. I have not watched commercial tv for over a year now. Best thing I have ever done.
Please can you review some of the letters the BBC sends out as they seem on very shaky legal grounds.
They are on the cusp of what they can get away with. Imagine relying on fear to drum up business. You can demand they stop writing to you. They will stop writing for two years when you’ll need to make a new demand.
The bbc, are not allowed to advertise on external websites! It is in the charter. So why is bbc programming on youtube??? 😡
@@Nickle314 I believe the law is specific, you need a licence for BBC iPlayer, but not for BBC on youtube unless it is a live broadcast.
@@Nickle314 True, they also do not supply Sky1 but if Sky is broadcasting a program live then you would need a BBC licence to watch it. You even need a BBC licence to watch programs broadcast live from foreign countries, which is just as ridiculous.
@@Nickle314 Look at PT1 of this series, it will tell you averything you need to know.
I had the pleasure whilst living in Hove (Brighton & as in) of receiving a call from one such individual. Imagine my joy in being able to invite him in, that he observe and record no television was in situ and then his being told to update his records! What a pleasant feeling that was.
Thanks, a very good thought provoking video. I would be interested to hear how implied right of access applies to collection agents who arrive solo and ask to come in but don’t yet have paperwork to force entry. I witnessed something similar where a collection agent refused to leave and when police were phoned to help, the police said collection agent was entitled to stay and keep ringing the bell even after being told to leave by the property owner. It was tempting to help physically throw him off the property but didn’t want to escalate and he had body camera too.
Unless it's private property, there isn't much someone can do. Public disturbance could be the only cause for police action, however, given the fact he's there to do his job, things can get complicated. The only time he's breaking the law, if he uses forceful entry without a court order.
Physically touching a collection agent would only lead to a criminal offence, esp that he would have cam footage against you. That would be escalating a situation unnecessarily for no gain wotsoever
@@ZeonEons There's no offence of Public Disturbance.
@@scaryfakevirus Not saying there is but breaking the public disturbance will allow them to call for police action.
Only in the UK: _"Watching television without a licence"._ 😂
There are other far-flung copycats
Collecting rain water without a licence - only in 'Murica.
@@Kit-yv7ob are you for real does that shit really happen
@@Kit-yv7ob Funnily enough that the rainwater is cleaner than the water the states pump. The tap water has chemicals in it. I have had to use filters and pour the water into copper containers.
@@Kit-yv7ob The Water Police will call - hide your buckets. Don't tell me that you have been drinking from your swimming pool ? They have detector vans I hear !!
I wouldn't recommend a ring door bell as that will record your whole life, and used by Amazon to sell you Chinese plastic items
Worth noting explicitly (which you may have done and I've missed it) that the implied right of access doesn't apply in the same way in Scots law.
I cancelled my TV license online as we legitimately dont need one, yet we still receive letters which could be described as threatening.!
However this is great advice, I feel this will be a brilliantly useful Channel.!
Just subscribed ✊
Watch a TH-camr called chilljoncarne he mentions all this type of stuff. All the letters are just copy and paste.
I really love your videos as they`ve very informative.I hope you will continue with the videos.
I got harrassment of letters and visits for about 15 years - then they gave up after zero response and engagement
i got a threatogram every month for many years. I ignored every single one. I haven't heard from them now for about a year!
Were any of the letters actually addressed to you personally?
All mine just say “The Legal Occupier”
@@Liberty_Freedom_Brotherhood The letter the guy left through my door last week just said 'your property in Street Name'. He didn't even put the house number which was right below the bell he rang.
It took them 15 years before they actually took you seriously that you didn’t want a license?
@@tinkerno11 - just sayin - persistent ignoral pays!
0:16 - I can already tell you from 6 years of personal experience; nothing.
One agent came to the door when I was at work and left a note. That was after 2 years of monthly letter harassment. I'm still being harassed with letters every month, but haven't had another agent come to the door.
If an officer turns up on my doorstep and shows me a warrant, how do I know it's genuine and not something he's knocked up on a word processor?
It really irks me that I have to prove that I haven't got something I don't want. I won't call them and I won't fill in the form online as it takes up valuable time. Thank you for this, its very helpful.
been paying it in fear for five years now, one of these thugs in front of my wife and she is going to get totally flustered and hysterical and then taken advantage of by these thugs and the law
Don't acknowledge your name or address to these people, simply ask who they are and shut the door in their faces. Nice and simple don't engage with them just shut the door, these clowns have about as much power as the milkman. top advice as always from the BBB love your channel.
A tv licence is for watching live tv that's it.
You can own 50 TV's as long as you don't watch live tv you don't need a tv licence.
No, a TV licence is for watching programs as they are being broadcast and when you have any kind of apparatus capable of receiving those programs as they are being broadcast, plugged in, enabling its operation and attached to an aerial, whether switched on or not, you can be charged. It is similar in principle to the drink driving laws, in so much as you do not have to be driving a car or even be in a car to be charged with a drink driving offence, merely being in the vicinity of the car while in possession of the keys while unfit through drink or drugs can be enough for someone to be charged. Mythical beliefs & misunderstandings have a lot to answer for!
@@1t_wasnt_me
Pmsl 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Do you know that you can legally listen to the radio on your TV set?
Which needs an Ariel and to be switched on... Honestly 🤦♂️
It is also illegal to watch iPlayer at any time without a licence. That law changed about 8 years ago.
@@gordonlawrence1448
No way Sherlock
@@1t_wasnt_me BS...having it linked/connected is not viewing live TV or Iplayer....read more
It's not true that if you fill out the form online to say that you don't need a licence that 'you never hear from them again' you have to to reaffirm regularly, about once a year and if you miss one then you start getting the letters and threat of visits.
I get a letter from these ridiculous bullies every single week and have done for 15 years since moving into my current place. I don't have a TV. If they ever want to take me to court that will be fun, especially as I have two law degrees.
Have you ever thought about just telling them you don't need a licence? Then they will stop. It does you no harm to tell them.
@@jdb47games I have done so multiple times, it makes no difference.
Let me know if they do. I shall grab my popcorn and come along...
@@dansharpe2364 Actually it does make one difference, they now have your name and can try to get a search warrant, take you to court etc.
@@_.Madness._ I have two law degrees, I studied at the Inner Temple and I taught law for twenty years. I am a Trades Union and Disability Rights activist. They are very welcome to take me to court.
And when you fill out the form you still get letters harassing you, I told the last one who banged on the door to F off
They never have a signed warrant, that's the whole point of denying them any access to your property. Same with most bailiffs , they never have a signed warrant from a judge.
Surely, they cannot apply for a warrant unless they have sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed ? So, no verbal communication whatsoever with them, no access granted to show them what tv equipment you have. Give them no information whatsoever.
@@hifismiffy They do as they please. No signed warrant in all instances. Not not just TV licence, most Bailiffs also acting unlawfully, some not all.
I've havent had a tv licence Goon at my door for years. Saying that I dont watch tv anyway just have mine for gaming . Correct dont say anything except fuck off haha
My biggest problem with the letters they send you is that they aren't very absorbent.
Lolz! And the ink they use is just as poisonous as their words!
I had a hand delivered typed unsealed letter from tv licencing. I opened it read it, usual guff and put it back in my post box. Few days later it disappeared. I'm now afraid they have my DNA!
So does an object, letter become my property when it enters my post box. Is it theft if someone removes said object or letter. In this case a plain brown envelope.
Recycle it next time!
@@SinkyYT Was recycled, they took it to give someone else.
I've just moved into a new house and filled out the form to inform the TV licence agency that I do not require one, as I only watch netflix/prime, use my TV for games consoles, and watch youtube. No iPlayer, and no Live TV (I don't even have a TV antenna cable)
As if someone would sign a warrant to allow them to walk through your property for a TV!!
Such is desperation and a job based on earned commission ?
Haven't had a licence for many years now, we got rid of Sky, iplayer etc best move ever. Initially we told them no licence required after the 3rd time of them saying we needed to "renew" the no licence required we stopped we've had hundreds of letters now in past 3 years
This is the first year I haven’t paid my tv license and I cannot wait for the goons to come round. It will be interesting to see these goons that terrorise the pensioners.
I cancelled my license 7 years ago and I have only been visited once (and I was out at the time at work so they left me an "offical" note) that was 3 years ago so you might have a really long wait
Why not just cancel it?
I am on your side but don't be an arse with them, best bet is Hello who are you no matter what they say you don't hear it till they say Capita Goon then close the door, being a hot head they can have you for threatening behaviour .. Good for you in stopping payment but follow good advice and keep out of court and heavy fines!
@@hazelhadley-britt6396 because you then have to let them in and cancelling doesn't stop the letters or visits
@@ifyokoi9419 I cancelled. No letters or visits have occurred.
I actually send regular e-mails (usually annually) to remind the licencing authority (in my case 'An Post' as I live in Ireland) "Hi, just to keep you up to date with my TV licence situation, I still do not have a TV or any device that can receive televisual information. Thank you." and I have on a couple of occasions received a thank you in return. (My only computer access is at work.)
implied rights of access puts a big bulls eye target on your property , just ignore all mail and goons
Fancy seeing you here. lol
@@theonearmedpoolhustler3116 lol
I cancelled my license and have ignored their letters for years. They keep coming. Haven't had a door knock for a couple of years. They have started charging the pensioners again. They are obviously desperate. Tell your friends and family to man-up, and cancel the direct debit.
Interesting as always thankyou for sharing,
If you truly don't need a license, isn't it worth it / easier to just welcome them in, show them that they're wasting their time and sending them on their way?
NO! Let them in & they will stitch you up, they are door to door salesmen & work on commission. Tell them to push off & shut the door!
@@susanalderson8267 yeah but how, how can they stitch you up?
Tried accessing online cancellation but couldn't find it. A friend told me in order to access this I must register on their website which I don't want to do. I sent a hand written letter to the address on the renewal before my licence expired in April and since then have received a reminder and two very threatening/intimidating letters. The last letter said an investigator was coming to see me on the 12th of July but he never turned up.
I won't ring them as last year when I didn't renew because my aerial was down, I spent over 20 minutes on hold at 15p a minute, to then be spoken down to and lied to like I was some kind of idiot telling me I had to back date my licence to February even though I had no aerial until May when I bought a new licence.
I do all my viewing online now and have never been so spoiled for choice it's a lot better than the endless repeats on live tv/freeview. It was a simple choice £160 for tv licence or £80 for prime and I have access to Disney+ as my eldest has it, simple maths.
Yes, my husband found something he didn't like about the online cancellation form, threw the letter away, and we've heard nothing since.
Quite possibly it was the part about registering on their website.
I have written back to them in the past, and as I like writing (a lot) it was a whole essay on the reason 'why' I don't like the BBC. I didn't hear anything back on that letter for 2 years - probably took them that long to read it.
I will not ring them. Stuff that.
My boy has Netflix. It's quite enjoyable really.
I just sent them an email. I had a few back and forth emails with who I assumed was a pretty decent guy but he still put my address down for a goon visit after my license was cancelled so I misjudged my first impression and now think he was a twat.
That online form is very evasive. You can also use their contact us service (which they refer to when the 'form' page is too busy); which is good because you just need to give the address and none of your personal info. I told them over a year ago that we don't watch live TV (and we haven't done for years, so it wasn't a fib) and that tis address no longer required a licence. We've had a few letters since but they get recycled.
Unfortunately, it is NOT what you watch, but what your TV/Computer/laptop/pad or even your phone is capable of receiving that creates the offence. If you were to say what you've just posted here to a visiting TV licencing officer, then you've just supplied the grounds for your prosecution. Your £80 for Prime is a subscription to Prime, it's not a licence, nor does it mean that you can legally carry on watching programs as they are being broadcast on any apparatus that is also capable of receiving TV channels that require a licence to do so. This was shown to be, in a case that went all the way to the UK's Supreme court involving "Sky", so at the end of the day, ignorance of the law is not "simple maths" and trying to be a smart ass often backfires. Tell them NOTHING so they know nothing is the best advice.
I sent my cancellation letter to them recoded delivery to make sure they received and signed for it but I still get the letters plus am down for a visit!
Great advice 100% accurate. One thing I would say is when you go online and declare that you don't need a License the threatening letters with stop, but you need to do this once a year thereafter or the threatening letters will start to arrive once again
its every 2 years - and to be fair to them, they do email you a reminder when its time to renew the declaration. Sure, in a perfect world we shouldnt need to do this, but it is the easiest way to deal with it
Thank you for that video, I've seen number of videos where police shows up with agent and agent has "search warrant" could you show and talk us through what real search warrant looks like and what are the regulations surrounding it.
I'm imagine if Bin ladin needed a licence, they would have found him in a week.
lol glad this popped up, I had forgotten I was needing to declare no license needed again, 2 years flies past so quick
Filling in a "not required" form will give you mail box peace for two years only. The harrasment will start again soon after.
I consider telling a company i don't want or need their services just the once should be sufficient. I dont have to tell any other organisation who I dont use their services that i STILL dont use their services every few years and indeed it would be a bit odd??
I emailed to cancel and only managed 6 weeks after the license ran out and one of their goons was round and put a note through the door saying he was visiting today to find out why I wasn't paying a TV license. What I want to know is, why don't ITV and C4 pursue the BBC for their share of the pie?
@@SinkyYT Well Channel 4 is the BBCs advert channel, but you're right about ITV and then there's Sky and any other provider of live TV broadcasts that cam be viewed within the UK (including foreign channels). So there's a lot of slices to that pie but the Beeb take it all.
@@Thurgosh_OG Eh? Apart from the fact that they are both owned by "the public" rather than shareholders, Channel 4 has nothing to do with the BBC.