TV Licence

[jonsie]

So I have a dilemna....

This week I received a TV Licence in the post for a previous tenant. As she was over 75 she qualified for a free TV licence and it was an actual licence they sent.

The covering letter stated this was a licence for this property in which I'm living albeit in the previous tenant's name.

My home now has a licence. Does this mean that when the little van comes round, my property has a licence?

Will this get reissued every year?

Will I ever need to pay a licence fee?

Should I tell them he died 6 months ago?

Do I just say soddit and forget it?

Do I tell the licencing authority?

Do I tell them to backdate any fee to last November when I moved in?

Bear in mind that my circumstances changed drastically almost two years ago and now I could care less about falling foul of legislation.

What to do, what to do.......

[MI5]

I'm pretty sure you know

[jonsie]

I'm thinking i need to change my name by deed poll for various reasons so....

[sheepdog]

Er, you opened mail for someone else or was it addressed to "The occupier"?

Also you have about 6 months* before the TV detector database catches up with you. You know that bit about 'electoral roll' registration we keep mentioning to people wanting a contract....

Though it is run by Capita so depends on how desperate they are to make a profit to how quickly they send the people round. 

* not guaranteed

[jonsie]

So do they check the occupiers name or do they check if an address has a licence?

....and yes, I have sinned, I opened Mail addressed to someone else but it was either that or recycle it unopened.

[sheepdog]

From what I remember they cross-check various sources and determine if the address is currently occupied by the name that pops up as the latest occupant. Depends really on how ingrained you are in the system (electoral roll, utility bills etc).

You could sign the online form saying you don't watch TV: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence though just reading it, looks like your landlord is at fault for not telling them of the situation or its not written in your tenancy agreement so its passed by you. 

[jonsie]

I got to page eight of that link....ordered another pint!

[pgn]

You'd better get out the Peter Seller's Disguise Kit, @jonsie, so you look over 75 when the man in the little van knocks at your door... 

[Bambino]

Do you have a leesonce for this minkey?

And strangely enough, found this clip which features John Bluthal who sadly passed away today.

[dgilbert2]

Things always catch up in end, you know the right thing to do 

When my dad passed away they go to know somehow.