What rights do TV License officers have?

[Mr.P]

You are well within your rights to instruct a TVL "inspector" to leave in what ever manner you feel appropriate. They have no right of entry without a court issued warrant. They will not get one purely on the basis that you had a licence in the past or that you currently own a TV.

 

I get an endless stream of their threatening missives posted through my letter box. Don't even bother opening them now and just add them to the pile. Only had one visit in the last two years, refused to answer any questions and didn't confirm my name. He eventually left with his tail between his legs, and I've not had anything from the courts.

 

If you get any more letters from TVL, you could write "RTS" or "Return to sender" across the front, even if it is addressed to the "Legal Occupier". Quite a few people I know of do this, not that it has any effect on the TVL harassment.

[Mr.P]

My one and only encounter:

 

Loud banging on the door almost as if he thought he was the police or something.

Door thrust open (outwards), nearly hitting him in the face.

"Are you Mr.P ?"

"Who the b**** ***l are you ?"

"I'm from TV Licensing, here is my ID"... Waving something in the air that might have been a credit card.

"And ?"...

"Do you have a TV ?"

"That is really none of your business."

"Do you watch TV ?"

"Silly question..."

 

A few more inane and leading questions followed, each time countered with a "None of your business" or "no comment".

 

Eventually, he asked if he could come in, and was told quite firmly, NO.

"Why not ?" came the next question.

"Health and safety. You are not wearing the appropriate clothing, nor am i willing to accept liability if you injure yourself."

 

Tail dropped, and end of conservation.