Can I make a claim for harassment against TV licensing?

stitex

I have a TV license but each year I change the name and license in my wife's name one year, my name the following just to p them off. They usually sent a couple of threatening letters which then stop. However this year they have sent one letter and now informed me of a date for them to visit my home, demanding access/ The usual threats of court action etc.They are so negligent that they have not even checked if we have a license at the address. I am considering suing them for the stress, trauma and harassment.

Martin_the_Unjust

Looks like TV licensing are beating you in your ‘P people off’ game.

penners324

Lodge a complaint with the ICO then issue court proceedings 

Cornucopia

The basic question of whether they can be "sued" for "harassment" is simple - no, not unless they go wildly off-track from their normal processes.  There's more than enough scope within the harassment legislation to exempt their basic approach and the courts will no doubt excuse a modicum of incompetence (especially with the provocation you have thrown in their direction).    

Whilst I'm no fan of their misleading letters, the key thing about them is that they are misleading - they do not generally make the kind of direct threats you mention - they are always couched in conditional and/or theatrical language.   On occasion, they will also contradict headline claims within the text of the letter.

If you want to make a difference, then make the relatively small changes necessary to not need a Licence.  You can then explore the various passive and active strategies to deal with their attempts at enforcement.

As a Licence-holder, there's not that much you can do that will cause them any problems.   You could issue them a Withdrawal of Implied Right of Access, and that may (or may not) cause them difficulties if their systems are not set up to handle such an instruction from a Licence-holder.

stitex

Thanks for all the replies. As my property has a license I will write and complain to the Culture Secretary in the first instance. In reply to Martin the Unjust. My strategy has worked and I have peed them off. I love trouble especially with officialdom, Shoud they turn up with a warrant I will not let anyone in without proof of full vaccination and  wearing a face mask and gloves.

jon81uk

stitex said:

Thanks for all the replies. As my property has a license I will write and complain to the Culture Secretary in the first instance. In reply to Martin the Unjust. My strategy has worked and I have peed them off. I love trouble especially with officialdom, Shoud they turn up with a warrant I will not let anyone in without proof of full vaccination and  wearing a face mask and gloves.

If they show up you just show them the license, no need to let them in at all.

You are going out of your way to make your life difficult. If you are paying for a license just keep it in the same name and keep paying and they won't contact you.

Rosa_Damascena

stitex said:

Thanks for all the replies. As my property has a license I will write and complain to the Culture Secretary in the first instance. In reply to Martin the Unjust. My strategy has worked and I have peed them off. I love trouble especially with officialdom, Shoud they turn up with a warrant I will not let anyone in without proof of full vaccination and  wearing a face mask and gloves.

I think you need a hobby!

prowla

Whatever happens, don't let them in.

Chris_English

stitex said:

I have a TV license but each year I change the name and license in my wife's name one year, my name the following just to p them off.

Play silly games, win silly prizes.