TV licence

[Retro69]

Hi

can anyone tell me if you need a TV licence whilst being a livaboard and ccing cheers.

[carlt]

If you are watching live television then yes you do need a TV licence.

 

I received a definitive email from the licensing authority, clarifying the issue, and reproduced it in full here, some time ago.

[john6767]

From the TV licencing web site

 

You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder.

[Guest]

Hi

can anyone tell me if you need a TV licence whilst being a livaboard and ccing cheers.

 

i'm assuming you don't have one at all? - if you still had a land based address and a TV licence for that you wouldn't generally need a second one for the boat but I don't think you are asking that.

 

Technically it's not where you watch but what you watch it on so if you watch TV as it is being broadcast yes you do, of course the next problem is having an address to have the licence registered to, so I reckon many people who liveaboard and CC don't/can't actually have one it's a bit of a catch 22, but be clear there isn't a specific exemption for people who live abroad their boats permanently.

 

However if you only ever watch TV on catch up TV services such as BBC iPlayer you don't need one at all, even if you watch TV on 'near live broadcast' tv like TV Catch-up - That is until this loophole gets closed which I'm sure it will at some point.

 

..

Edited April 2, 2013 by The Dog House

[KevMc]

I can't see the point in having a TV licence with all the catch up services and such that are available. The only TV I watch live is sport and that's much more enjoyable in a pub where you get some semblence of involvement - watching football or rugby on your own at home is soooo boring

[Guest]

I can't see the point in having a TV licence with all the catch up services and such that are available. The only TV I watch live is sport and that's much more enjoyable in a pub where you get some semblence of involvement - watching football or rugby on your own at home is soooo boring

 

It does need something like The One plan or other Unlimited plans from Three to be able to do this affordably on a boat though....streaming video is one of the quickest ways to gobble up your internet allowance...

Edited April 2, 2013 by The Dog House

[KevMc]

It does need something like The One plan or other Unlimited plans from Three to be able to do this affordably on a boat though....streaming video is one of the quickest ways to gobble up your internet allowance...

 

Very true

[Retro69]

Thanks for your replies, as I wont have a fixed abode how will they register it? I do hope I can resolve this and I am able to pay the fat cats there money.

[tipsygypsy]

My advice is dont worry about it until someone specifically asks you about....which as you dont have an address is probably going to be highly unlikely!

[carlt]

My advice is dont worry about it until someone specifically asks you about....which as you dont have an address is probably going to be highly unlikely!

Does that same advice extend to boat licence, income tax, VAT, etc?

[Guest]

Thanks for your replies, as I wont have a fixed abode how will they register it? I do hope I can resolve this and I am able to pay the fat cats there money.

 

I suspect you won't be able to, and it's going to be difficult to be totally honest. Their is a 'contact us' link on the TV licencing site https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/contact-us/ they are the only folk who can give a definitive answer.

[carlt]

I suspect you won't be able to, and it's going to be difficult to be totally honest.

On the contrary.

 

My TV licence was registered to "Narrow Boat Lucy, c/o The Stophouse, Braunston." and, after the Stophouse closed it was c/o Braunston P.O.

 

When they wrote to me, when the previous thread was live, they said they would be happy to accept a c/o address if you are NFA.

[Guest]

Interesting I wonder how many do the same???

[Grace and Favour]

Interesting I wonder how many do the same???

 

I use my S-i-L's address

[bowten]

Interesting I wonder how many do the same???

Very few,so don't bother.

[carlt]

Well for those who don't base their decision on whether or not to break the law on the likelihood of getting caught here is the response I received last year when I emailed the TV Licensing folk.

 

TV LICENSING

BRISTOL

BS98 1TL

 

Tel: 0300 790 6087

Fax: 0300 790 6012

Email: enquiries@tvlicensing.co.uk

Our Ref: TVL27198854

 

19/05/2012

 

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

 

The use of television receiving equipment on a boat does not require separate

licensing if the television user holds a licence for their main address. If the

boat is the only residence then a licence will be required. Under those

circumstances the licence should show the mooring address or a forwarding

address.

 

I hope this information is useful.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mr W Kimball

TV Licensing

Edited April 2, 2013 by carlt

[Ex- Member]

Thanks for your replies, as I wont have a fixed abode how will they register it? I do hope I can resolve this and I am able to pay the fat cats there money.

 

 

 

Well

 

If you're of a charitable disposition then pay, but in reality it's an un-inforceable law.

 

First of all there's no such thing as a tv licence, you don't licence the actual tv, you licence the property the tv is used in. A tv licence cannot be issued without an address.

 

Secondly if by some miracle they can actually prove you have a tv, then prove you're receiving a signal, then find a way of summonsing you, then locate you again as you would have moved on, again there's no address, so they'll have to find you and serve you.

 

They just aren't going to bother as they never bothered with gypsies or other travelers unless they were grouped on a site.

[Hastings]

Well

 

If you're of a charitable disposition then pay, but in reality it's an un-inforceable law.

 

First of all there's no such thing as a tv licence, you don't licence the actual tv, you licence the property the tv is used in. A tv licence cannot be issued without an address.

 

Secondly if by some miracle they can actually prove you have a tv, then prove you're receiving a signal, then find a way of summonsing you, then locate you again as you would have moved on, again there's no address, so they'll have to find you and serve you.

 

They just aren't going to bother as they never bothered with gypsies or other travelers unless they were grouped on a site.

 

I can understand what you are saying, but you seem to be encouraging people to break the law. If you watch TV as it's transmitted, you need a licence, wherever you view it. You need an address to get a licence, but the TV may not necessarily be at that address. If you have a house and a boat, both with TV, then your licence covers both, but, I believe, if the TV is switched on at only one of these two locations. If you don't have a home, then you'll need a licence for the TV on your boat.

 

Why is it that a significant minority of writers to this forum encourage getting away with not paying TV licence, or boat licence, etc., or claim to be CCers when they really aren't?

 

Besides the fact that they may be breaking the law, it seems morally indefensible not to contribute financially to enjoy what you do. It's not a right to do these things without paying.

 

Rant over, but .... please pay for things you use.

[Ex- Member]

I can understand what you are saying, but you seem to be encouraging people to break the law. If you watch TV as it's transmitted, you need a licence, wherever you view it. You need an address to get a licence, but the TV may not necessarily be at that address. If you have a house and a boat, both with TV, then your licence covers both, but, I believe, if the TV is switched on at only one of these two locations. If you don't have a home, then you'll need a licence for the TV on your boat.

 

Why is it that a significant minority of writers to this forum encourage getting away with not paying TV licence, or boat licence, etc., or claim to be CCers when they really aren't?

 

Besides the fact that they may be breaking the law, it seems morally indefensible not to contribute financially to enjoy what you do. It's not a right to do these things without paying.

 

Rant over, but .... please pay for things you use.

 

 

Well it's a loophole, they can't issue a licence with no address I have no address, I actually confirmed this myself this afternoon taking 39 minutes on the phone, as they had to refer my query to 5 different departments. They said i need to find an address any address, but I don't have an address or want an address, their response, I'm sorry we can't licence you then. Thank you I said.

 

Hardly my fault. I personally would be more worried about the billions creamed out of the tax system by millionaires using tax dodges and loopholes though.

[Guest]

I can understand what you are saying, but you seem to be encouraging people to break the law. If you watch TV as it's transmitted, you need a licence, wherever you view it. You need an address to get a licence, but the TV may not necessarily be at that address. If you have a house and a boat, both with TV, then your licence covers both, but, I believe, if the TV is switched on at only one of these two locations. If you don't have a home, then you'll need a licence for the TV on your boat.

 

Why is it that a significant minority of writers to this forum encourage getting away with not paying TV licence, or boat licence, etc., or claim to be CCers when they really aren't?

 

Besides the fact that they may be breaking the law, it seems morally indefensible not to contribute financially to enjoy what you do. It's not a right to do these things without paying.

 

Rant over, but .... please pay for things you use.

 

Agreed it's an issue of conscience. Some may want to freeload just because they can others pay their way. Carl's posts clearly show how it can be done.

[Hastings]

Well it's a loophole, they can't issue a licence with no address I have no address, I actually confirmed this myself this afternoon taking 39 minutes on the phone, as they had to refer my query to 5 different departments. They said i need to find an address any address, but I don't have an address or want an address, their response, I'm sorry we can't licence you then. Thank you I said.

 

Hardly my fault. I personally would be more worried about the billions creamed out of the tax system by millionaires using tax dodges and loopholes though.

 

Point taken re having an address, but if you want to pay for your TV licence, as you seem to want to do, can't you use the address of a relative or friend, or a friendly marina or canalside shop, or someone with a permanent mooring, .... etc. There's always a way, and I still make the point that you should have a licence to watch TV. Hiding behind legal techicalities isn't really defensible!

 

I also agree about millionaire's tax dodges. I'd love to be one, but I'd still pay what the law requires. It's only fair that everyone does.

[Ex- Member]

Point taken re having an address, but if you want to pay for your TV licence, as you seem to want to do, can't you use the address of a relative or friend, or a friendly marina or canalside shop, or someone with a permanent mooring, .... etc. There's always a way, and I still make the point that you should have a licence to watch TV. Hiding behind legal techicalities isn't really defensible!

 

I also agree about millionaire's tax dodges. I'd love to be one, but I'd still pay what the law requires. It's only fair that everyone does.

 

Thanks for the advice, but I'm happy to take my chances though as I don't intend to have any address, and I'm not going to be forced to by the requirement of a TV licence, If I'm wrong and get in trouble, then I'll have to suffer the consequences.

[Jerra]

Thanks for the advice, but I'm happy to take my chances though as I don't intend to have any address, and I'm not going to be forced to by the requirement of a TV licence, If I'm wrong and get in trouble, then I'll have to suffer the consequences.

 

I know I will get shot down in flames for this but........

 

If you are unprepared to take the required steps to get an address then do the decent thing and don't watch TV.

 

It is morally wrong IMO.

[Ex- Member]

I know I will get shot down in flames for this but........

 

If you are unprepared to take the required steps to get an address then do the decent thing and don't watch TV.

 

It is morally wrong IMO.

 

OK :lol:

[Grace and Favour]

Thanks for the advice, but I'm happy to take my chances though as I don't intend to have any address, and I'm not going to be forced to by the requirement of a TV licence, If I'm wrong and get in trouble, then I'll have to suffer the consequences.

 

Is avoiding a TV licence any more, or less, acceptable than overstaying on VM's?

 

Boating > General Boating > CM'ers - hogging service

Julynian

Posted 25 March 2013 - 01:35 PM

 

Quote

 

but could they have a broken gear box and be waiting for a mechanic to fix it?

 

That's hardly an excuse, a boat can easily moved with ropes.

 

A the end of the day the boat simply shouldn't be there unless it's using services and that doesn't take very long let alone 4 days. it's bloody minded ignorance and inconsiderate. I personally wouldn't dream of doing the same and inconveniencing people, I behave the same when parking my vehicles lorries especially.

 

There's ample room to move this boat a short distance even if broken down to enable easier access for experienced or novice boaters. These are probably the sort of people I wouldn't want to speak to anyway and probably wouldn't take much notice if you did.

 

They clearly live in a world of their own.