TV Licence Investigation

[Wannabe2017]

Apologies if this has be raised before.

I have received a letter today stated that we're under investigation and to expect a visit from the TV Licence people, I think this is due to us declaring we didn't need a licence. Which we don't.

What are my rights here? Can I refuse entry? Can I record them if I answer the door. I don't have anything to hide but don't feel comfortable letting in a stranger, I've also read/seen videos of how intimidating they can be. I'm usually alone here with DD during the day and feel quite vulnerable.

[SantanicoPandemonium]

write to them and say you've removed their implied rights of access and they're not welcome at your home. If they then show up, just don't let them in.

You're perfectly within your rights to film them - have a look on YouTube, there's loads of videos of people telling the licensing to sod off!

[RataSum]

You don't have to let them in, we've been license free for years, don't even have arial points, we get them letters every so often, we just bin them.

[Eatingcheeseontoast]

Have a look under enquiry officer here
www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/foi-administering-the-licence-fee-AB20

Write to them again as well.

[Eatingcheeseontoast]

If you let them in once to have a look that should be the end of it. But you don't have to let them in.

[RibenaMonsoon]

We're the same. We live off amazon Prime and netflix. Usually they can detect if a household is watching BBC. If they can't then it shouldn't be an issue and they shouldn't need to come round and "investigate". I always wondered how many other people do this. Perhaps BBC are concerned they will lose revenue over time and are using scare tactics now.
But absolutely don't let them in if you aren't comfortable. They don't have rights to your home

[maxybrown]

We had this a while ago. He tried loads of underhand tactics before he told me who he was (unfortunately for him the only words that came out of my.mouth were, who are you?) I said am I required to speak to you? He said do you want to speak to me? I said no thank you! And he left. We then got a letter saying thank you for informing us that we have no right to enter your property or some such thing.

If they came to the new house I don't think I'd even say that much to be honest.

[x2boys]

how do they detect if a household is watching BBC? I do have a license rarely watch BBC but anyway what do they use to detect you are watching tv?

[MacarenaFerreiro]

Understand why you would want to refuse entry.

But why would you want to record them? That's just weird.

[RataSum]

Nothing, if they could detect they wouldn't be paying people to knock on doors, the detection vans are just myths.

[FauxPasadena]

" But why would you want to record them? "

For evidence of their aggression etc. Have seen lots of YouTube vids where they are refused entry and keep trying to force their way in with threats.

[MacarenaFerreiro]

Still think it's weird. You just say "sorry, you're not coming in" and close the door. Then if they harrass you, call the Police. What are you gathering evidence for? So you can get together with other people who aren't paying their licence either and grumble about how awful it is?

All this filming and posting to YouTube is attention seeking. All a bit student-y and anti-authority and "look at me I'm so clever getting one over on these nasty tv licensing people".

Just refuse entry, be polite and act like a grown up. If you are not watching terrestrial TV or iPlayer than you are doing nothing wrong.

[x2boys]

i always thought detector vans were bullshit about time they did away with tv licenses.

[EpoxyResin]

I thought you had to have a licence these days if you watched any "live" tv, not just the BBC? But that's by the by.

OP you also don't have to admit to being the homeowner/resident, in which case they can't ask that you let them in. Just ask them who they are (they'll be shifty), tell them you can't help them (with no further explanation), then close the door.

[SixtiesChildOfWildBlueSkies]

@maxybrown - did he not even show an identification card? Shocking bullying tactics.
We have not had a TV for several years, nor do we watch iplayer/catchup etc. However, since the iplayer loophole was closed last year we have had several -threatening- letters from the license people stating that a visit is imminent.

What a WASTE of money on their part.

I don't sell alcohol, but don't get pestered into buying a license to sell.
I don't sell food, but don't get pestered into buying a license to sell that either.
I've never had a dog, but until 1987 when the general dog license was scrapped, I never got pestered about that too.

I could go on....... but you all get what I'm saying, shame they don't!

[Voice0fReason]

Usually they can detect if a household is watching BBC.

Please tell me how you think they would do that!

OP, tell them they cannot come in and by all means record them.

[AtlantaGinandTonic]

I think - I would have to double check but I didn't want to read and run - that a license is required to watch BBC iPlayer now, both live and on demand. It changed recently.

[SkyBluePinkToday]

I believe only Customs have the right to enter your house without either a warrant or your permission. Just close the door on them and forget about it.

[AtlantaGinandTonic]

Well said, Sixties.

[JustMumNowNotMe]

Epoxy yes its any live TV, not just BBC channels. Also if you watch any BBC programme on Netflic,Now TV, Amazon Prime.

[GabsAlot]

has the iplayer loop[hole been officialy closd?

i thought they hadnt brought that in yet and its still only live tv

[AtlantaGinandTonic]

Here's the link about having to need a license for iPlayer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/tvlicence

I've always wondered what happens if you're out and about and watching on a phone!

How on earth they would prove you're using that and not another streaming service though...

[Spam88]

iPlayer rule has definitely come into force now, but JustMum it only applies to BBC iPlayer, not BBC programs on Netflix etc.