TV License in the UK?

Question

I'v been very naughty and am concerned of the consequences.

Basically I'v lived in the same house for the past 9 years but never got a TV license. I want to redim myself and pay for it already £139.50 but my friend has told me that maybe because I didn't pay for one right away when I moved in, that the TV license company will penalise me the £1000 fine. I obviously can't ask them this,so could somebody please clarify this for me as I can't afford to pay the fine. I know I'm going to get hasled replys and "I know I should have known better!" But pelase, any proper answers would be much appreciated! Many thanks

Answer 1

The can only fine you if you admit to your offence, otherwise they wont know. If you say you haven't had a TV before they are unlikely to know any different and certainly couldn't prove anything. Once you pay this time you will be in the system and will have to pay forever

Answer 2

carry on not paying they obviously don't know you're there so why inform them when they get in touch with you just pay for a license.

Load of old c**p on bbc anyway

Answer 3

you should own up and accept your fate. You done the crime so accept the fine

Answer 4

I think TV license should be out outlawed like they were in Australia about 40 odd years ago after all the channels we see are FREE to air, so why is it needed to have a license except as money raising grab

Answer 5

just say u never had a tv they have to prove u did or say u just moved in

Answer 6

no you will not get fined for back years without a licence

(know this with experience)

but if you don't get 1 every year they will be in touch with u every year

and send a TV licence officer to check your address out

Answer 7

I suggest that you pay for a TV licence right away but be prepared to come up with a story to cover the last 9 years if necessary.  It's quite feasable that you have not had a TV until recently.  So if you have a second hand TV and you can say that you bought it for cash recently and you have no receipt then do this.  But if you have a fairly new TV then say you bought it from somewhere like Argos on from the Internet and claim that you have lost all of the receipts.  You probably won't be asked any difficult questions but be prepared with some plausible stories just in case.