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Why am I still getting these letters ?!

81 replies

teletubbyy · 17/03/2026 15:19

I filled in the declaration form in December when we moved to our new home. I literally watch YouTube for the kids, bing or Miss Rachel etc and not the live stuff. And on the evening we watch Netflix or Disney+.
I think it’s terrible they use scare tactics. Should they not be leaving me alone since I’ve filled in the declaration form?! I have major anxiety and do not need to be worrying some blokes going to turn up on my doorstep demanding I let him in.

Why am I still getting these letters ?!
OP posts:
XDownwiththissortofthingX · 17/03/2026 18:19

The "no licence required" thing is just yet another sham, and nothing more than a tool they use to ascertain who, precisely, is living at an unlicenced property.

They send all mail to "the legal occupier" until such time someone responds and confirms the details of who, precisely, "the legal occupier" actually is. From then on they will harass the individual in no different a way to they harass all unlicensed addresses, but with the difference that now they have a specific, named individual, they will likely appear on the doorstep asking for that person by name and subjecting them to the "can I just come in to check..." crap.

Some people are lucky and the declaration seems to prevent the letters for a year or two, but far more are reporting that they never once saw hide nor hair of a Capita employee until shortly after they filled out the declaration.

As always, the best approach to communications from Capita, whether it's in the form of a letter or an appearance in person, is to completely ignore and rebuff any attempt at communication and correspondence from them whatsoever.

Do not acknowledge or respond to their mail fishing attempts, do not converse with them on the doorstep, do not identify yourself, and for god's sake don't entertain any request to enter your property unless they are presenting a warrant, which is vanishingly unlikely to happen if it's their first in-person attempt to gain access, because no Magistrate or Sheriff in the UK is going to issue a warrant simply because Capita suspect you might be watching TV.

ProudAmberTurtle · 17/03/2026 18:12

I got one today saying the investigation had now reached its final stage and I would have to explain myself to an enforcement officer.

Given that I cancelled the licence fee in 2017 and they still haven't worked out my name - I'd like to know what's been going on in this investigation for the last nine years.

BunnyLake · 17/03/2026 18:09

teletubbyy · 17/03/2026 18:04

Interesting. I know I could just let them in but I think, well why should I?! Why should I be intimidated in my own home, I’m autistic and freak out when my mom or friends come to visit, let alone having a total stranger turn up! The declaration should be enough.

Don’t let them in! They have no right to enter without a warrant (and there’s no reason for them to have that). We don’t have Netflix knocking on the door demanding to know why we’re not subscribed to them. These people can just fuck off.

shellyleppard · 17/03/2026 18:09

@BunnyLake all sorted now

BunnyLake · 17/03/2026 18:06

shellyleppard · 17/03/2026 16:58

@4wardlooking the last time I used the iPlayer was over a year ago. The inspector asked why I cancelled the licence and I explained it's not good value for money anymore. The TV mainly gets used by my sons for the playstation

You don’t owe these people any explanations.

Don’t let them in your house.

teletubbyy · 17/03/2026 18:04

Pemba · 17/03/2026 17:54

If you look on YouTube, videos by people like Chilli John Carne and Black belt barrister explain how to deal with these people if you get a visit.

You just say 'not interested thank you' or if you did fill in the 'No licence needed' declaration you could say 'I have filled in the declaration, goodbye' as a pp suggested. They have no right of entry, unless they go to court to get a warrant which is really rare.

The reason you shouldn't let them in is because they have been known to lie, and say that people admitted watching live TV. Some of them will do this because (it is believed) they get bonuses for each license sold, also for each prosecution. And they are basically sales people. So best not to engage, don't give them your name, engage in conversation and especially don't sign anything. They could add stuff above your signature later.

All this pre-supposes that you don't in fact watch or record live TV channels or use BBC iplayer. If you do you should get a licence obviously. But it's no good just thinking 'i have nothing to hide' if you are legally licence free, because a lot of them are out to trip people up.

Interesting. I know I could just let them in but I think, well why should I?! Why should I be intimidated in my own home, I’m autistic and freak out when my mom or friends come to visit, let alone having a total stranger turn up! The declaration should be enough.

OP posts:
BunnyLake · 17/03/2026 18:03

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 16:24

If she uses a TV set whether she watches live or not, she does need one!

That is not true. You can own a hundred tv sets it doesn’t mean you have to buy a licence. They’re basically just monitors. It’s what you watch on that monitor that counts.

Pemba · 17/03/2026 17:54

If you look on YouTube, videos by people like Chilli John Carne and Black belt barrister explain how to deal with these people if you get a visit.

You just say 'not interested thank you' or if you did fill in the 'No licence needed' declaration you could say 'I have filled in the declaration, goodbye' as a pp suggested. They have no right of entry, unless they go to court to get a warrant which is really rare.

The reason you shouldn't let them in is because they have been known to lie, and say that people admitted watching live TV. Some of them will do this because (it is believed) they get bonuses for each license sold, also for each prosecution. And they are basically sales people. So best not to engage, don't give them your name, engage in conversation and especially don't sign anything. They could add stuff above your signature later.

All this pre-supposes that you don't in fact watch or record live TV channels or use BBC iplayer. If you do you should get a licence obviously. But it's no good just thinking 'i have nothing to hide' if you are legally licence free, because a lot of them are out to trip people up.

Charlize43 · 17/03/2026 17:47

This is the BBC isn't it? Bloody disgusting!

It's about time the BBC TV Licence was abolished and a subscription service introduced for those who want it.

These harassment and intimidation letters are appalling! And for what? So someone like Huw Edwards can blow £30K on pics of teenage boys wanking?! Most of us can't even afford to heat our houses and struggle to keep up with all these bills. No wonder so many women have to resort to going on that Only Fannies site. God knows what I'll do when I retire...

BeeCucumber · 17/03/2026 17:24

These Capita employees have no right of entry. You do not even need to speak or answer the door to them. Put the letters in the shredder.

shellyleppard · 17/03/2026 17:17

@teletubbyy because I wanted them to see i didn't need a TV licence. Also my sons autistic and I'm trying to get him used to dealing with officials.

Vintageblueribbon · 17/03/2026 17:09

They've been doing this for years

As a child (in the 80's) I lived with my grandad

We didn't have a tv-until i was 12 ish and he finally got one (and bought a licence at the same time)

Every bloody friday,they'd show up,demand to be let in,poke about and leave while agreeing we didn't have a tv (its one of my earliest memories)

Rinse and repeat the following friday-and the one after etc

I think I mentioned this to my father (innocently-i was about 8/9 and this was 'normal') and he hit the roof

He wrote a letter,and I have no idea what was said but they never came back

Looking back it was disgusting-they hounded a frail old man and a young child-they certainly made out they had every right to come in and look around and grandad allowed it as we had nothing to hide

It's disgusting that they are still at it!

Pure scare tactics-id ignore them and not answer if they do knock

NippyNinjaCrab · 17/03/2026 17:09

teletubbyy · 17/03/2026 15:54

Well I hope if they do turn up I’m not due on my period because I tell you, the absolute rage I get 😆

You made me laugh so much there 🤣 I really want you to get a visit now!
Well I have a TV licence and now pay weekly, I have had 2 letters already saying my direct debit was cancelled and I have 10 days or I will have an enforcement visit. Wtaf. My payments are up to date, customer number and address is the same so somwthing went wrong with these idiots!

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 17:06

SpecialAgentMaggieBell · 17/03/2026 17:02

No! I have a TV, no aerial, no satellite. We don't watch live TV or iplayer. Netflix, Disney, YouTube and Apple. You can have a TV and not need a licence. It's 2026 all TVs are smart TVs now, there's no need to watch live TV.

Yeah, I learned that earlier today. But thanks!

teletubbyy · 17/03/2026 17:03

shellyleppard · 17/03/2026 16:53

I had a visit from the TV inspector yesterday. All she did was check when the BBC I player. Then logged me out on the iPlayer thing saying I did not have a license.
You can watch TV but not anything live. There is a bit online where you can do the no TV watched declaration x

This is good to know. Although why did you let them in?

OP posts:
SpecialAgentMaggieBell · 17/03/2026 17:02

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 16:24

If she uses a TV set whether she watches live or not, she does need one!

No! I have a TV, no aerial, no satellite. We don't watch live TV or iplayer. Netflix, Disney, YouTube and Apple. You can have a TV and not need a licence. It's 2026 all TVs are smart TVs now, there's no need to watch live TV.

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 16:59

shellyleppard · 17/03/2026 16:58

@4wardlooking the last time I used the iPlayer was over a year ago. The inspector asked why I cancelled the licence and I explained it's not good value for money anymore. The TV mainly gets used by my sons for the playstation

Fair enough.

shellyleppard · 17/03/2026 16:58

@4wardlooking the last time I used the iPlayer was over a year ago. The inspector asked why I cancelled the licence and I explained it's not good value for money anymore. The TV mainly gets used by my sons for the playstation

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 16:56

shellyleppard · 17/03/2026 16:53

I had a visit from the TV inspector yesterday. All she did was check when the BBC I player. Then logged me out on the iPlayer thing saying I did not have a license.
You can watch TV but not anything live. There is a bit online where you can do the no TV watched declaration x

If you were using BBC iPlayer without a license I doubt that will be the end of it. The inspectors will have targets to reach. You may find yourself with a hefty bill coming your way.

shellyleppard · 17/03/2026 16:53

I had a visit from the TV inspector yesterday. All she did was check when the BBC I player. Then logged me out on the iPlayer thing saying I did not have a license.
You can watch TV but not anything live. There is a bit online where you can do the no TV watched declaration x

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 16:53

teletubbyy · 17/03/2026 16:39

wtf ? You need a license just for owning a tv? Do the bbc own televisions now ?

I think it was just my mind-set from a young age that if you watched anything on the TV you had to pay for a license, but to be fair on myself, I did grow-up when there were only 4 channels to watch and therefore had no choice but to watch live.

The licensing company will take the view that everyone watches live tv at one point or another, so I’m pretty sure the letters won’t stop. They will probably try to gather evidence to take those that do watch live TV but have no license to court.

xanthomelana · 17/03/2026 16:49

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 16:24

If she uses a TV set whether she watches live or not, she does need one!

I think you need to have a read of the tv licence website before embarrassing yourself anymore.

teletubbyy · 17/03/2026 16:39

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 16:24

If she uses a TV set whether she watches live or not, she does need one!

wtf ? You need a license just for owning a tv? Do the bbc own televisions now ?

OP posts:
x2boys · 17/03/2026 16:38

4wardlooking · 17/03/2026 16:36

Well I’ve learned something new today! I love BBC iPlayer so I just carry on paying. Sounds the easiest option to be honest! I’d hate to be hounded about potential fines.

Once the declaration is filled in, I suppose the property is flagged as unlicensed and so the letters probably will not stop.

Well thats fine however many dont love the BBC or watch live TV
So they really do need to stop with their ridiculous scare tactics and not mske assumptions.

teletubbyy · 17/03/2026 16:37

malmi · 17/03/2026 16:32

You never watch iPlayer or CBeebies? Don’t believe you. Where you streaming Bing?

Edited

Do you work for them ? We watch it on YouTube ! And not any live services.
We used to have a tv license at our old property but it really bugged us as we just didn’t ever watch live tv, so when we moved I thought I’m not renewing it.

OP posts: