This morning, I received a charming letter informing me that enforcement officers would visit my property next week. My crime? I don’t have a TV licence. Because I don’t watch live TV or use BBC i-Player. I do not need a TV licence because I only watch Amazon Prime, Netflix, and YouTube.
Currently, a TV licence costs £169.50 a year in the UK and is a legal requirement for anyone who watches or records live television broadcasts or uses the BBC iPlayer service. But how we watch TV has changed significantly since the BBC’s heyday. The backlash against the corporation and the choice of many streaming services has led many people to stop watching live TV.
You need a TV licence if you:
Watch or record live TV broadcasts
This includes any live channel, not just the BBC. You also need a TV licence to watch live broadcasts on platforms such as Sky, Virgin Media, Freeview, or online live streams.
Use BBC iPlayer
You will need to be licensed to watch any content on iPlayer. This includes live broadcasts, catch-up television, or on-demand content on the app or website.
You do NOT need a TV licence if you:
Watch non-BBC catch-up or on-demand services
This includes services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and other non-live streaming services.
Only watch DVDs, Blu-rays, or play video games
If you are watching DVDs [or Blu-rays or you use your TV to play video games, you don’t need a licence.
Only listen to the radio.
You don’t need a licence to listen to radio; ironically, that includes BBC radio.
Criticism of TV Licensing Enforcement
The TV Licensing authority, which collects the TV licence fee, has been criticised for its aggressive tactics. Videos on social media show interactions with licensing officers, many of whom refuse to believe that the householder doesn’t need a licence. These tactics have led to allegations of bullying.
This situation is made worse because enforcement officers work on a commission basis, so it is in their best interests to collect as much revenue as possible. When someone is incentivised to collect money, they are likely to be much more aggressive than someone in a salaried position.
TV Licensing has also been accused of:
Sending Frequent Letters
TV license will target any household in their database that is showing as not being licensed. Therefore, households that do not have a TV licence will receive repeated letters from TV Licensing, sometimes on a monthly basis. These letters typically warn of potential fines and court action and say that the recipient will receive a visit from enforcement officers. The nature and tone of these letters can be very frightening.
Household Visits
TV Licensing officers can visit homes to check if a licence is required. They don’t have the right to enter your home without permission or a warrant, but their visits often feel intimidating. They might pressure you to let them in or give them information. You do not have to let a TV licence officer into your home unless they have a warrant. They rarely get warrants which need to be issued by a court.
Threatening Legal Action
TV Licensing letters and visits often stress the repercussions of not having a licence, including fines of up to £1,000. This can be scary, especially for older people or vulnerable groups. TV Licensing takes nearly 1,000 people to court every week for not having a licence; a high proportion of these fall under the vulnerable classification.
Targeting Vulnerable Groups
There have been reports of TV Licensing targeting vulnerable groups, such as older people or those with disabilities. Of the nearly 1000 people prosecuted each week for not having a TV license, around 70% of them are female.
Responding to TV Licensing
If you do not need a TV licence, know your rights when dealing with TV licensing.
You can inform TV Licensing that you do not require a TV licence. This can be done online on this page, by phone, or by post. Once you’ve told TV licensing, you should not receive further communications for a period (usually two years).
Know Your Rights
TV Licensing officers do not have the right to enter your home without permission or a warrant. You do not have to let them in or provide any information. The BBC has refused freedom of information requests to declare how many warrants have been issued for not having a TV licence in the past 5 years. Nevertheless, it is likely to be very few indeed.
Record Any Interactions With TV Licensing
Try to keep a record of any letters or visits from TV Licensing. If you need to make a complaint, you will have a record of all relevant dates and times.
Seek Help
If you feel harassed or bullied, you can get help from Citizens Advice. You can also complain directly to TV licensing.
While you need a TV licence to watch live television and use BBC iPlayer, you do not need one for other types of viewing. In light of the recent scandals that have hit the BBC, 500,000 people cancelled their license fees last year. The number of licensed households in the UK is just under 24 million.
Have you had issues with TV licensing? Let us know in the comments below.
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