TV License Enforcement Process!?

[tom6195]

Hi,

 

The flat which I am currently sharing (with a friend who is a serving officer in the army and I am sort of house sitting for him) recently started receiving letters from the TV license folk.

 

They first sent one letter in August to say that they have been writing to the 'Legal Occupier' and have had no reply so the property was being investigated. I ignored this letter as it was nonsense, it was the first time they'd written to us and besides I do not watch or record live tv despite owning a tv set which is used just for netflix and games from my ps3.

 

They wrote to us again this October, this time saying as we've not yet replied they are moving to the final stages of their investigation and the matter has been handed to the local enforcement division. Apparently, they can apply for a search warrant from the court to gain access to the property (which would be very difficult as I live in a huge block of apartments and am currently the only person staying in the flat but also work 8-6 and am away most weekends so would be unable to let anyone in anyway).

 

I'm now both concerned and annoyed, as I don't want some random bloke knocking on my door asking to look inside my living room nor do I want to be taken to court.

 

Can someone please advise on what to do?

 

Thanks

[Stigman]

Hiya,

 

Ignore, the letters (currently a rotation of 4 at the moment) are computer generated rubbish, as you are not watching live TV & via online catch up, netflix, watching dvd's etc. then you do not need a licence.

 

If anyone ever turns up, refuse to say your name and tell them to leave your property, they have no powers, they like people to think that they have some special enforcement power & they can gain access to your property, question you etc.

If anyone turned up at your property and asked you to be let in so they can inspect your kitchen for toasters, would you let them in?

Exactly, refuse to give your details and tell them to leave your property or you will call the Police for Harassment & Tresspass.

 

You will keep receiving these letters every 4 - 5 weeks, best thing to do when one comes through the post is a guessing game of which stupid threatogram is in the envelope.

 

I get these letters and no one has ever visited in over 2 1/2 years here at our current property.

 

Stigman

[reallymadwoman]

If you search the forum for threads on TV licensing

you will see that the letters are part of a standard series

which apparently goes right back to the beginning if you ignore them all.

 

 

There is a remote possibility someone will turn up on your doorstep

but if they do you are perfectly entitled to tell them to leave

- they have no authority whatsoever to enter your home

and you are not obliged to answer any questions

and most certainly should not sign anything.

 

I know from experience that telling them the property is empty/unoccupied/

does not have a tv/is a figment of their imagination has no effect whatsoever

and actually seems to encourage them to send more letters.

 

 

Ignore them.

 

 

If you do not watch live tv you do not need a licence, end of.

[nohope]

Or just go on to there web site and fill in the do not need a licence option and you won't hear from them again for about 2 years.

[Consumer dude]

Ignore and use letters for wallpaper..

[tom6195]

Just an update to this:

 

Received another letter last month, starts with:

 

"Dear sir/madam

 

You have not responded to our previous letters. We want to ensure you have the information you may need before a hearing is set at your local court".

 

Right, now I'm a little worried however there has been no inspection in between this letter and the last one. How can they possibly threaten me with a court appearance when they haven't even come to check whether or not I am indeed watching "live TV" as they put it.