Many people have cancelled their TV licence and are not keen to renew it with the cost having risen this year. On April 1 of this year, the cost of a TV licence jumped up by £10.50, bringing it to £169.50 annually, while the price of a black and white TV licence rose by £3.50, from £53.50 to £57.
If you don’t want to pay for one, there are certain rules you must follow. And if licensing inspectors suspect you’re falling foul of these, they may turn up at your property. Here’s everything you need to know.
What powers do TV licence investigators have?
If you receive a letter informing you that you don’t have a licence and you ignore them, TV Licensing says “the tone of the letters progressively becomes stronger to encourage a reply. Sometimes a stronger message is required for people to comply with their legal obligation. The address will also be listed for a visit from a visiting officer to enquire about the licensing requirements.”
If the letters still go unanswered, a visiting officer may come to your property to see whether or not a licence is required with the “aim of the visit” being to “enforce the law and enable TV Licensing to remove premises which do not require a TV Licence from their enquiries”, allowing them to look at other properties which may require them.
Can a visiting officer request access to my home – and can I refuse to let them in?
TV Licensing explain that a visiting officer should explain the purpose of their visit, remain polite, courteous, and fair, and adhere to the code of conduct. But it’s important to note that they do not possess a legal right to enter a person’s home without a search warrant.
If you deny them entry, the officer may conduct the visit at the door. But if you ask them to leave the property, they must do so immediately. If the occupier allows entry, the visit typically fast with the officer doing a brief inspect the main living areas to see whether or not you are using a television.
The Communications Act 2003 imposes an obligation on the BBC to issue TV Licences and collect the licence fee. The BBC must ensure this to make sure those who need to pay do so, and forcing the law on those who evade paying it.
What you need to know is that when it comes to the law, “visiting officers do not have any legal powers to enter your home without a search warrant granted by a magistrate – or sheriff in Scotland”. It adds that you do not need to let them enter your home. However, if visiting officers are denied access, then TV Licensing reserve the right to use other methods of detection.”
TV Licensing may also request a search warrant from a magistrate, – or a sheriff in Scotland. However this action is considered a last resort and is only pursued when a senior manager and a legal advisor agree that there is substantial reason to suspect an offence has occurred.
What is the Visiting Officer code of conduct?
According to TV Licensing, when their Officers visit a property they will:
- Show their ID card. If requested, they’ll also give you a telephone number so you can call and confirm the details on their card
- Explain why they’re visiting
- Be polite and fair
- Follow all laws, regulations and policies
- Not use threats. Or any intimidation
- Respect your right to privacy. And confidentiality
- Enter your property only when you give permission, unless a search warrant has been issued
- When necessary, complete a record of interview. And ask for your signature to confirm that their notes are correct
- Make sure the person being interviewed knows what may happen as a result of watching or recording any live TV or BBC iPlayer without a TV Licence
- Stop the visit if you ask them to leave, unless a search warrant has been issued
- When necessary, use detection equipment or apply for a search warrant if they believe that someone at the property is committing an offence