Legal help anybody

[Murphman]

My son is the 'lead' tenant in his rented house, 4 students. The house has an old TV in the corner, they genuinely don't ever watch it and the landlord was supposed to remove it but didn't, you can guess what happened next?

 

They initially received a letter from TV licencing saying no further action would be taken and then today he received a summons, he's lost the letter so it's not looking good. The fear is he gets a criminal record, there are currently proposals backed by Chris Grayling that criminalisation for non payment of TV licences ceases and it becomes a civil matter.

 

He's studying law next year and is absolutely terrified this could affect an application. also. if the law is change does anybody know whether this is likely to be retrospective?

 

He's scared to death something so trivial could f*ck up his career, quite frankly I share his fears.

[PhilM]

What proof do the licensing people have that there's a requirement for a TV license in that household? Has anyone official seen the TV? If not, surely he or the landlord can just remove the TV and then there's no case.

[cymrococh]

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/how-to-tell-us-you-dont-watch-tv-top12

 

There's usually something you can do between the summons and the court case actually happening i.e. getting in touch with tv licensing and paying for it, or trying to get them to find proof of the No Licence Needed Declaration.

 

I'm pretty certain we got a summons when we moved house and I didn't update my address, the mrs went mental but I just phoned them up and sorted it out.

 

The uni should have a free advice service, he should speak to them as well.

 

What proof do the licensing people have that there's a requirement for a TV license in that household? Has anyone official seen the TV? If not, surely he or the landlord can just remove the TV and then there's no case.

Owning a tv doesn't mean you have to have a license, as the link above shows.

Edited February 26, 2015 by cymrococh

[Cobs]

speak to the tv license people - explain the situ and if necessary offer to pay it.

 

If there was a letter sent it should be on file at their end.

[Falconhoof]

When you phone up and offer to pay, you will probably find things are a lot less frightening than it looks in a letter.

[PhilM]

Owning a tv doesn't mean you have to have a license, as the link above shows.

 

No, but it's presumably the grounds by which they've issued Murph's boy with a summons.

[surf]

Least amount of hassle: pay the bill

Slightly more hassle: pay the bill, tell the landlord to reimburse you as it's his fault

Lots more hassle: tell TV licensing that the property is owned by landlord and he's responsible for the bill. this will depend on there being a contract between murph's son and TV licensing. If he's paid invoices before for example this won't work

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

When you phone up and offer to pay, you will probably find things are a lot less frightening than it looks in a letter.

 

Aye - they don't want to go to court anymore than Murph's bin lid does really

[cymrococh]

Least amount of hassle: pay the bill

Slightly more hassle: pay the bill, tell the landlord to reimburse you as it's his fault

Lots more hassle: tell TV licensing that the property is owned by landlord and he's responsible for the bill. this will depend on there being a contract between murph's son and TV licensing. If he's paid invoices before for example this won't work

The occupier is responsible, not the landlord.

 

A bit of googling reveals that even if it did go to court, there will be a tv licensing representative outside who will accept payment (+ court costs) before it actually goes before the court.

[cymrococh]

http://tv-licensing.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/tv-licence-summons-what-to-do.html

[New York Red]

Once you have it sorted, make sure your boy throws the tele through the landlords windshield.

 

It's the right thing to do.

[Murphman]

The occupier is responsible, not the landlord.

 

A bit of googling reveals that even if it did go to court, there will be a tv licensing representative outside who will accept payment (+ court costs) before it actually goes before the court.

 

Just got in and haven't had a chance to look at this properly (The reds are on in a minute) but THIS is logical and thus it makes me happy. Cheers Cymro.

[Ibby]

The fact they just had a TV in the house wouldn't make your son liable. Someone must have opened the door to a TV licence investigator and gave your sons name.

[Murphman]

The fact they just had a TV in the house wouldn't make your son liable. Someone must have opened the door to a TV licence investigator and gave your sons name.

 

Yes, his idiot flat mate let the fella in, he asked who's name is on the tenancy agreement and that was that. I think he's in sh*t. The question is, will this have any impact on his career if he applies to a law practice. Also, if the amendment goes through parliament to make this a non criminal act (and I think it will) would this apply to those already 'nicked' under the old rules?

[cymrococh]

By far the easiest thing to do would be to phone up asap and pay whatever TV Licensing think they're owed.

[Cobs]

By far the easiest thing to do would be to phone up asap and pay whatever TV Licensing think they're owed.

Exactly

 

And no, Murph I doubt it would be retrospectively applied and yes it may affect his law applications.

 

Pay the money !

[cymrococh]

If he's found guilty then at the very least he will need to declare it on any applications and any CRB checks. I imagine it would be looked at more favourably than a DUI offence or something, but it's still hassle he doesn't need.

[Murphman]

Chaps. I don't think just paying the money is the answer or I'd do it. These are CRIMINAL proceedings not the county court.

[Nathan Explosion]

Have he/you contacted them to find out what the actual options are? Seriously, do it.

[Murphman]

Have he/you contacted them to find out what the actual options are? Seriously, do it.

 

I'm going to ring them as soon as I can find a number to call. This could take a while,...

[Cobs]

0300 790 6165

 

ffs

[Stanley Leisure]

 

I'm going to ring them as soon as I can find a number to call. This could take a while,...

0300 790 6165

 

About 8 seconds.

 

Oh, just seen that Cobs did it earlier. My point remains.

Edited February 27, 2015 by Stanley Leisure

[Stevie H]

Jesus Murph.

[Hassony]

Once you have it sorted, make sure your boy throws the tele through the landlords windshield.

 

It's the right thing to do.

What has the landlord done wrong here?

[Swan Red]

The TV being in the house doesn't seem to matter