Applying for a search warrant... what do they need?

[subaqua]

They truly are bombastic, prior to not having a tv,I had a black and white tv (and of course b&w licence) they were always questioning me about that too....
After a while I needed a video recorder as I was studying with open uni - because a video recorder is "capable" of recording in colour, they informed me I needed a colour licence....
Out of sheer stubbornness - and a refusal to give them my hard earned dosh - and at probably more expense than a colour licence...I got the video recorder converted to recording in black and white, and the associated paperwork to legally accompany it.
I truly don't understand the "warmth" that the beeb appears to invoke in some people, they're a money making machine, just like te rest

now thats a brilliant act of defiance

 

[TreeHuggery]

now thats a brilliant act of defiance

stubbornness is pretty more accurate ;-)

 

[Plax]

Wow, I've clearly had it easy. I haven't had a TV licence for several years. I have never, ever had a threatening letter from them. All I get is one letter every three years to remind me to make another declaration or to buy a licence. I just make another declaration online. Never had a visit either. I have no TV aerial or SKY dish but I have a TV I use for watching Netflix/Amazon and playing console games.

If they did harass me though, rather than just invite them in for a cup of tea and a quiet life, I think I'd be rather inclined to make things really difficult for them. I don't see why I should automatically be presumed guilty just for being in the minority.

 

[MontyVeda]

They truly are bombastic, prior to not having a tv,I had a black and white tv (and of course b&w licence) they were always questioning me about that too....
After a while I needed a video recorder as I was studying with open uni - because a video recorder is "capable" of recording in colour, they informed me I needed a colour licence....
Out of sheer stubbornness - and a refusal to give them my hard earned dosh - and at probably more expense than a colour licence...I got the video recorder converted to recording in black and white, and the associated paperwork to legally accompany it.
I truly don't understand the "warmth" that the beeb appears to invoke in some people, they're a money making machine, just like te rest

wouldn't it have been easier to get a video player?

 

[TreeHuggery]

wouldn't it have been easier to get a video player?

It was many moons ago when the open uni programmes were aired on bbc2 at 2 o clock in the morning....so nope...well it might have been easier just to stay up late.... video player wouldn't have been any use

 

[S.Giles]

I have had plenty of fun with TV Licensing over the years. When they ask if they can come in and search my property, I answer that of course they can...short pause... so long as they have a warrant to do so. Rules is rules after all. The ball is then in their court and they just stand there for a moment looking frustrated. I remember one 'officer' (who looked more like a hapless student doing a summer job) saying "Don't you think that's a bit..." as I closed the front door.

After one visit I called the local court to find out what they needed to do in order to get a warrant. Apparently a 'warrant hearing' has to be held prior to a warrant being issued. In my experience this doesn't happen, it being easier to go and bully someone else. Plus, they know that your TV will be in Timbuktu by the time they come back.

IMO, anyone who lets them in should be fined twice, once for not having a TV license, and once for being an idiot.

I now live abroad, so TV Licensing is just a sweet memory. Ah, the good old days :-)

 

[Drago]

The process of getting a warrant is easy.

Pock a quiet time - mid morning is good - and ask then see the Clerk, or whatever they call them now. Flash your ID, explain you need a warrant under whatever aft you want and ask if there's a Magistrate free. You'll usually have a short wait, then you'll be ushered in to the courtroom, asked to take whichever oath, and then present your case. You may or may not then be asked a few questions by the Magistrate, and that's it. I've never not had one signed off. This idea that it's somehow difficult or onerous or some kind of hassle is a bit of a myth.

When I got my first flat one of my neighbours got caught with no licence (and a TV). They were quite generous In thought, gave her 48hrsntongo buy one and they'd leave it there. She didn't, and got fined about 4 times the cost of the licence, and still had to but a licence anyway. What's that all about?

 

[S.Giles]

It may not be much hassle to get a warrant, but it's too much hassle for TVL to bother doing it if my experience is typical.

 

[Drago]

More likely Johnny Spottybum on minimum wage from the agency has never been asked to do anything other than knock on doors.