TV Licence - will they get a warrant?

espritlibre87

I don't have a TV licence - my partner and I only watch Netflix or DVDs. I have of course declared this to the licensing company.

Today we made the mistake of answering our door (we live in a block of flats so assumed it was a neighbour) to a licensing inspector wanting to check out the property and asking whether we own a TV. I stopped him and said we have the right to refuse him entry. He agreed and said that they would then get a warrant and come back. I stupidly confirmed my surname when he asked "is it still ....?" and I'm kicking myself for it.

I know the licensing company like to use threats to frighten people into buying a licence. Do I need to be concerned that they will genuinely execute this warrant? The reality is I don't need a licence, I don't watch TV illegally, and on that basis I should have "nothing to fear" but I have read enough stories of inspectors tricking people into 'confessing', or coming up with not-entirely-true statements to 'prove' the person needs a licence, that I am not happy with anyone coming to inspect my home trying to catch me out.

On a side note, when we first moved into the property (a new build) there were 8 months worth of letters to "The Occupier" threatening investigation, stating that an investigation had now been opened, repeat until insane. It was absolutely ridiculous. Nobody was living in the property before us anyway, and they'd essentially duplicated the same letters over and over in increasingly threatening terms. So this partly makes me think they're full of hot air, but equally they have confirmed my name (I know, I'm an idiot for being caught out) and I'm worried that then gives them grounds to execute a warrant. At that point do I lose my rights? I've done nothing to give them reason to believe I'm watching TV illegally (refusing entry to my home should not be grounds for suspicion in my opinion, it's my home and I have the right to do so)

McKneff

Why are you so bothered. If you wre genuine then nothing they can say will 'catch you out' if you stick to only the truth.

espritlibre87

Unfortunately it's well-documented that that isn't the case at all (aside from the simple fact that I have a right not to allow people into my home without reasonable evidence, which they do not have!) There are countless accounts, some caught on video, of inspectors claiming they have evidence because the occupant has a laptop, has a smart TV with BBC apps installed (which cannot be uninstalled), in one case plugging in the receiver for the TV and then stating that as the occupant could receive live broadcasts they needed a licence. It's expensive and time-consuming fighting those legal battles.

Xbigman

Search Warrants are very rare. About 150 a year compared to the 180,000 people prosecuted for watching live TV. Most search warrants are issued against those who are abusive, violent or have withdrawn the implied right of access. Even if a warrant is issued TVL have a policy of not forcing entry so the worst that can happen is that they might turn up at an inconvenient time and confirm you do not require a TV licence.
Admit nothing, sign nothing, stay polite.

If you haven't already done so cut off any aerial lead and put freestanding decoders away in a cupboard somewhere. Then don't worry.


Darren

House_Martin

If you do not watch any live scheduled tv or any BBC content whatsoever( so you or your partner do not watch the top ratings hits like Celebrity Come Dancing etc ) then invite the Capita employee in to see your TV set up.
You have pulled the aerial lead from the back of your TV or set- top boxes and detuned the Freeview I presume seeing as you claim to watch only appalling American rubbish only or have to mess about with catch-up TV on a very expensive mobile or broadband contract.
Talk is cheap ! claiming that you do not break the law is easy, prove it ! Invite Capita in to verify your "claim ".
All of a sudden, when asked to do this, householders then start bleating on about privacy!
In my job I have hard evidence that 9 out 10 people who claim to be legally licence free lol are in fact lying and just relying on Capita not getting past your front door in order to check their systems.
The BBC prosecuted a whopping 180,000 UK householders last year alone, who also "claimed " exactly the same as you. Funny how so many are just straight liars, just to save a paltry £2.80 a week for the best value for money in the UK .
OP, why do you state the phrase "trying to catch me out " If what you claim is an honest statement ? There is nothing to be "caught out " in the first place if what you claim is true.
In my unique job, getting behind the lies of so called "legally licence free " evaders I do encounter a few genuine people who can t wait to show me round their houses to verify their claims. I rarely take them up on it unless they insist because when they want to do that they are all correct and do not require a TV licence.
180,000 a year BBC prosecutions last year tells its own story that the UK is awash with licence evaders, and that is but the tip of a large iceberg.
These TV licence evading advice websites get a good living from their seedy websites I presume and some I admit who comment on them are probably true to their word
I will answer your question about warrants, so you can relax. NO the BBC/TVL will NOT take out a warrant. They cost too much money, more than the TV licence itself at approx £150 , plus another £100 at least for a locksmith .The BBC have been reported to only take out a few warrants a year, hopefully against the sort of people who run TV licence evasion websites
Capita do a brilliant job in forcing reluctant tightwads to pay their TV licence.
My views on people who claim to live legally licence free, an appalling phrase, is certainly justified because I get past the front door and see for myself the lies and claims going off in the homes of UK residents, so OP please drop the "privacy " claim and simply admit a Capita employee in to view your system.
He is vetted strictly,( as I am in my role ) and has a 100% clean criminal record. He carries his photo I.D. on full view so you can phone his office to verify , so you have no fear whatsoever in admitting this person for a few minutes to be hopefully free from any more visits from TVL.
Cue Cornucopia with his annoying line by line replies. He/She has been having an easy ride on this forum, backed by his several "so called LLF followers " with their quite vile comments about the "scum and the goons " who do a great job in unearthing the crims.
He will ALWAYS have his stock replies ready and will ALWAYS have the last word..Its an odd place for him to be commenting on this forum..Personally I do not think he should be on here "drumming up business " This forum is nt really about helping people save money on advice on TV licences. Lawful people do not need advice on TV licences or how to avoid paying for it. It is against the spirit of MSE
In my experience of many years on the job getting behind the front doors of people who not possess a TV licence, MOST of them do need one ! Ive seen it for years with my own eyes.

[Deleted User]

espritlibre87 wrote: »

I stopped him and said we have the right to refuse him entry. He agreed and said that they would then get a warrant and come back.

This just shows what scum they are, trying to scare you with baseless claims. Never ever let these lowlifes through your front door regardless of whether you're legal or not (especially if not )

They'll happily use these tricks with vulnerable and elderly people to try and bully them. If they won't leave phone the police.

Buzby

Viewers in Scotland are in a better position as there hasn’t been any licensing cases in the Sheriff Court for the last 7 years. Neither have any Warrsnts been applied for. Not the same holds true in E&W as Warrsnts for access are routinely issued, however FOI request for the number was refused. With one, the householder would be in contempt of court if entry was refused - if on their radar, then a warrant is possible,so just mak sure no off-air broadcasts are easily receiveable.

Xbigman

In my job I have hard evidence that 9 out 10 people who claim to be legally licence free lol are in fact lying and just relying on Capita not getting past your front door in order to check their systems.

Please supply this evidence then?

FYI not everyone who turns away Capita is an evader, and not everyone who turns down a smart meter is stealing electricity.




Darren

silverwhistle

House_Martin wrote: »

If you do not watch [SNIP] eyes.

Can I suggest you now wipe the spittle off your computer screen after that last rather unpleasant rant? You complain about vile comments, but aren't very pleasant yourself with all your similar wild accusations.

House_Martin

silverwhistle wrote: »

Can I suggest you now wipe the spittle off your computer screen after that last rather unpleasant rant? You complain about vile comments, but aren't very pleasant yourself with all your similar wild accusations.

Honest and truthful accusations after a decade of handing out TV licence reminders and entering the same premises to inspect utility meters
There is.nothing at all "wild "about my accusations .How would YOU know they are "wild " accusations, you have zero experience of how others evade the licence.You are just speaking from your own point of view. I visit hundreds and hundreds of TV licence evaders in any year, 200,000 thousand on average are prosecuted
The occupiers are not aware that I have a secondary duty so are relaxed and usually have the TV on when I read their gas and electric meters.
I say MOST are fiddling, say 9 out of 10 is my guess judging how many I see viewing normal live scheduled or BBC tV. and this is born out by the absolutely huge numbers that Capita snare and prosecute and they must only catch a small proportion of evaders. When Capita can trap 200,000 in a year its evidence of vast numbers are evading.
I have been doing TV licence reminders this week, virtually all the ones who needed a TV licence were viewing channels that need a licence.

RichardD1970

So you have just admitted, on a pubic forum, that under the pretence of reading gas and electric meters you are actually spying on suspected licence fee dodgers?

Wow. :eek: