WIBU to not let the tv licensing inspectors in?

[RevoltingPeasant]

DH and I have never had a tv, and we periodically get the letters threatening to come around, fine us, throw us into a dungeon etc. No one ever actually has come to the house.

Today when we got back from work there was a note through the door saying they'd been to look around and as we were out, they'd come back.

I have already let them know we don't have a tv. I don't really like the idea of some total stranger wandering through my house, especially going into bedrooms, which I guess they must do as lots of people have tvs there. Also, I'm not the sort of person who's scared of "strange men" but it seems to me it would be so easy for someone to create a fake id and then try to gain entry to,the house. I wouldn't really fancy letting someone in for these reasons.

They may not come back, but if they do, WIBU to refuse entry? Is this illegal? Or would you let them in?

@TurquoiseDragon

Bugger. I normally manage to spot the Zombies.

Me too

Regardless of it being a Zombie, I don't think everyone knows about the licences for over 75s. My dad did, but an uncle didn't.

I had one of these charming individuals visit me once, a really rude bully. We had purchased a small portable for the bedroom, filled in the forms in the shop etc and because they couldn't find our DD paid licence on their system he came round.

He bullied my then teenage daughter into fetching me out of the bath and going to the door. When I found out what it was about I was not impressed. He started threatening me with all sorts in a really nasty fashion and in the end I sent him away with a real flea in his ear. I am law abiding and understand they have a job to do, but his behaviour was appalling.

Going by his attitude and the nasty threatening letters they send out (I've owned a vacant property in the past) they are a national disgrace.

Oops.

I understand you say you are law abiding, the how do the inspectors know that?? They can't tell the difference between who is telling the truth and who isn't. So they assume it's guilty until proven innocent? They just can't believe someone could be happy without a tv. My SIL has lived in her current home for 25 years, and still gets people coming round and saying "we know you don't have a licence". Yes, that's because I DON'T HAVE A TV!!

ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE ZOMBIE

@Talkinpeace

OP You may not have a TV, but do you ever watch live TV on a laptop, phone, wii or other device as if you do, you need a licence

if you only watch iplayer and dvds you are OK, but anything live and you have to cough up

You actually do need one for iplayer. I set it up on my tablet for me but my son who lives on his own doesn't have a tv so I let them know by email, unfortunately I used the same email address for both things. They sent a shitty email to him via my email to say "we know you've been watching iplayer you need a license" er no he doesn't. They sent someone round who fortunately he didn't let them in but he was scared, he is a vulnerable adult. I rung them and i'm not proud but I was very forceful and we haven't heard from them since. Bastards.

License should come out of general taxation.

No. It should be optional and those who want to watch the BBC pay for it by subscription. Why should people who don't watch the BBC subsidise those that do. You want it, you pay for it!

@RevoltingPeasant

DH and I have never had a tv, and we periodically get the letters threatening to come around, fine us, throw us into a dungeon etc. No one ever actually has come to the house.

Today when we got back from work there was a note through the door saying they'd been to look around and as we were out, they'd come back.

I have already let them know we don't have a tv. I don't really like the idea of some total stranger wandering through my house, especially going into bedrooms, which I guess they must do as lots of people have tvs there. Also, I'm not the sort of person who's scared of "strange men" but it seems to me it would be so easy for someone to create a fake id and then try to gain entry to,the house. I wouldn't really fancy letting someone in for these reasons.

They may not come back, but if they do, WIBU to refuse entry? Is this illegal? Or would you let them in?

Tell them you are shielding, and they can go whistle.

There was,nt a pandemic though seven years ago when the Op started their thread @Newjez....

Unless they have a warrant op just say "no thanks" and close the door.

I've been threatened with a warrant for the past 5 years lol 😂 I don't need a tv licence. We are over a barrel for pretty much everything on this country so fight the power when you get a chance !

You can refuse entry, unless they have obtained a warrant to search.

" How do I know if a visiting officer is genuinely employed by TV Licensing?

When our officers visit a property they will:

    Prove their identity by showing their two-part TV Licensing ID cards.
    The first part of their ID card will display the TV Licensing logo, a passport sized photograph along with the visting officer’s first name. The ID card will also show the expiry date along with their unique six-digit card number.
    The second part of their ID is a separate card which contains the officer’s photograph and name to indicate that this person is authorised to engage in TV Licensing investigations.
    If you request it, the officer will provide you with our telephone number: 0300 790 6071. You can then call this number and have TV Licensing verify the visiting officer’s details by providing the officer’s unique six-digit card number. The Customer Service advisor will guide you through the rest of the verification process."

A lot of people these days will have a tv and not need a license, or vice versa. Its a completely outdated model.

You do not have to let them. You let them onuq you do not have a tv and they are harassing you. They cannot demand to come in. You should complain really OP.

You. Not onuq or whatever that was

1. They dont have detectors to detect tvs.
2. No you don't have to let them.in, they can ask, just say no. They don't have a warrant.
3. Paying the government tv channel fee is old fashioned if you don't watch or record live TV or the government/bbc channels. Not paid it on years.

ZOMBIE THREAD

Do what my DM did (DM thinks TV rots your brain, and is no particular fan of the BBC.) Inspector knocks on door and asks if they have a TV.

DM says, "No, we don't have a TV. Would you like to know why?"

Apparently the bloke had met her type before, murmured, "No, that's fine," and fled down the garden path!

This used to happen years ago when I was first married, we never had a TV by choice in those days.
Every year we'd go through the rigmarole of writing back to say we didn't own a TV and then they'd turn up at the door. I always let them in (although we watched them very carefully) - I used to think it quite funny when they had to give up and concede there really was no TV hidden somewhere in the house.
It all stopped when we finally had children...we got a TV....

Nah they can't come in without a warrant. I lived in house shares in my early 20's and never bothered with a licence and they would knock but as it was a flat I would never buzz them in.

ZOMBIE THREAD!!! ZOMBIE THREAD!!

I understand you say you are law abiding, the how do the inspectors know that?? They can't tell the difference between who is telling the truth and who isn't

You could say this about anything though. Should we just start allowing random police officers to check our homes whenever they knock on the door because 'how can they know we aren't breaking the law inside'?