Don't give in to TV licence pressure
IF YOU own a television set a licence is required when it is used to receive or record programmes during the time they are broadcast to the general public. Like it or not they are the rules, writes Maffi.
If you don't use a television in your boat as mentioned above then you don't need a licence. Neither do you need a licence if you have a television in your boat but also have one at home that is licenced. Even simply educated people could work out that if you have no need for a licence then you don't have to buy one.
Reasoning out of the window
At that point all reasoning goes out of the window. Once the TeleVision Licensing authority (TVL), a private company, realise you don't have a licence, whether home or boat, and have your permanent mooring address they will start sending you threatening abusive letters demanding you get one. This stems from a weird thinking process that says no one can live without television. Now if you have purchased a television or in some cases even so much as a scart cable, you will have been asked for your address.
The tone of the letters are intended to convince evaders that they should buy a licence. Unfortunately if you are innocent you may find the accusatory tone very rude. TVL are also in the business of bending the truth about what are your responsibilities as an ‘unlicensed' property owner.
Should TVL write to you, you can do one of two things. You can write by return stating that you have no need for a licence and will not be requiring them to bother you anymore. Or you can throw the letter in the bin.
Option 1—Responding:
You are not legally obliged to respond to any of its licence reminders. People do respond because they think the letters will stop. They will not. Silly boys! You as an upstanding British Citizen are considered to be a liar, and will be required to prove, to its satisfaction, that you do not have a television. TVL will expect you to allow them to visit your house or boat to prove what you say is the truth.
Is it any wonder that non-television viewers such as myself despise TVL. Trying to do the right thing seems to put you in a position of being untrustworthy. Given that you don't have to reply it is accusing you of being a liar insisting that they come and inspect your property, just to check.
Refuse entry
It can ask you as many times as its likes but you have no legal duty to let them do that unless they have a lawful search warrant (this is very unlikely). If they do come calling you should refuse them entry, even if they are accompanied by a police officer. Of course your refusal does not stop the irritating letters.
Should you let them in this doesn't stop the letters either. About every six months it will send you a letter asking if your circumstances have changed.
Also by responding you are giving TVL information it does not have to have—your name for example, which they could potentially use against you.
Option 2—Ignoring:
This is the better option. There is no need for TVL to contact you at all, and we should all make a stand against the underhand tactics employed by TV Licensing. Don't buckle and give in. Companies like TVL are exactly why George Orwell wrote 1984.
You are under no legal obligation to respond to any letters from TVL. If you don't use receiving equipment you are not committing any offence. TVL are trying to intimidate you. Indeed there are instances of people without televisions buying a licence to stop the harassment.
More accusing
Its letters will increase in delivery and be more accusing. Eventually after several months of ignored letters, it will send an ‘Enforcement Officer' to your property. These have no legal right to enter your home, no matter whether house or boat, unless they have a search warrant (which they wont). You should refuse to let them in. They will tell you all sorts of lies to pressure you into giving them access, but understand this they have no right of access!
Don't give them any information. Simply say you don't have to talk to them and close the door. If you are quick off the mark take a picture or video the visit. They may ask you not to take their picture or run the video. They may even tell you it is illegal to take their picture, but of course they are on your property, you are the King. You can even photograph any police officer, this also is not illegal.
Withdrawn right of access
If after several letters it looks like it may be sending someone around to your boat, should it have a permanent mooring, or your house you can write to them informing them that you have withdrawn their implied right of access to your property. This stops them even opening the gate—should you have one.
Please don't be taken in by these people. They are simply collectors. If you have nothing to collect they have no business with you. If you give in on this what will be next?