TV licence visit officer today. 23 Jan 2008 (merged threads)

browserd

I herd a loud heavy banging on my front door today, I spoke through my locked front door, who is it please. A male voice replied TV licence. I replied with AND? He replied I want to check your premises for a TV please and I have right of entry. I replied do you have a Magistrates Search Warrant thats within six months old? He replied NO, I replied then you donot have right of entry and go away. I then proceeded to make a coffee, he banged again several times, I ignored him.

I remember reading on this forum that if you donot have a tv or if you have a tv and you dont watch tv shows, you donot need to let anyone in to view your settop without a warrant? Am I correct?

I could have easily let him in, as I have nothing to hide, however I thought to my self, why should I, why should I let any official in my property to look round without a legal search warrant? Its my choice and I didnt want to give him entry.

I really created this thread for advice really, did I do the right thing in not giving him access?

And one thing that concerns me, he lied about gaining entry, isnt this against the law? When I think, I should have asked for his name and i.d and reported him for lying to gain access, I will be more aware next time.

Smirch_This

They use various tactics to try and get in. Ignore them. Don't even let them in if they have a magistrates warrant. If they return accompanied by a police officer with adequate ID, ask to get the warrant confirmed by telephone yourself, then let them in and show them around. Just give them stick first to let them know that their bully tactics are not welcome. Offer them a cup of tea to wind them up when you let them in and tell them the toilet doesn't work if they ask.

I used to have a video monitor (no tuner facility) and they gave me stick for months, even turning up at 11:30pm and banging on the door to try and catch me out. Now I have kids so a TV is an unfortunate necessity.

thehairybuilder

tee hee
Smirch is absolutely correct , they have no right of entry to your home whatsoever .
One of my colleagues has been getting the `knock knock` hassle for years and although he doesn`t have a TV therefore nothing to hide he has never let them over the door .
I`m sure he wrote to them after last visit demanding £100 for the hassle and asked if he could visit them at home to check if their gutter needed cleaning or something equally ridiculous
:beer:

browserd

too right I will. I called the number on the card he left, the advisor also stated he has legal entry. I asked for her name and then proceeded to say, you are supplying information that is incorrect and there for your bullying tactics will not be taken, i then went onto say your lying to me, the infomation you have given is a lie, I am going to report you and make sure you take a retrain within your job as clearly you have no idea, I then went onto say I will report you to traiding standards for also supplying fake info, she went silent and when she finally did speak, she had a nervous tone. Oh a felt so proud LOL LOL LOL

moonrakerz

Well done ! 10 out of 10.

Write to your MP and tell him what happened. I wrote to mine about these cowboys and he has now written to the Chief Executive of TV Licensing asking for an explanation !

browserd

Cheers moonrakerz, thehairybuilder (laughs at name) smirch this, thanks for the helpfull replys and moonrakerz soon as i finish typing this a letter is been sent to my MP. Thanks guy's

evilgoose

Ive just bought a house that needs alot of renovation and a TVis the last thing on my mind - I've got no problem with TV licencing or paying for a licence - when I get a TV i'll get one - but they've really wound me up with their constant letters - I phone get told all operators are busy then it cuts me off.
The inspector is welcome to call round - maybe the loud banging will help knock the black mortar off! lol

hewhoisnotintheknow

is it me or is it just easier to let them in proove you have not got one and let them get on with their job rather than wasting their time when they could be catching real evaders?

evilgoose

i've tried ringing them many times to inform them of my details for the 'new occupier' letters - I can never get through to them, if refers you to their website and then just cuts you off. I've tried the website and you can do anything without a licence number - which I dont have or need. there is no section (which I can find) for people without a TV.
I have no intention to waste their time - even though they seem intent on wasting mine.

hewhoisnotintheknow

evilgoose wrote: »

i've tried ringing them many times to inform them of my details for the 'new occupier' letters - I can never get through to them, if refers you to their website and then just cuts you off. I've tried the website and you can do anything without a licence number - which I dont have or need. there is no section (which I can find) for people without a TV.
I have no intention to waste their time - even though they seem intent on wasting mine.

Have they been to your house and been allowed in?

Stephen_Leak

browserd wrote: »

I called the number on the card he left,

Whats the number?

I would love to call them to complain about a non-existant visit. As they won't be able to find anything on their records, you can then escalate the complaint to cover this as well.

With my training and 28 years experience in telephone customer service, I know techniques that could get anyone to say or do something wrong, which would then actually justify a poor attitude/call handling complaint against them.

Once you've got them to mis-handle the call, the original "complaint" becomes irrelevant.

PS. I now have a place of my own, and no television or any other "equipment, which can receive or record live television broadcasts". There is now an online "No licence required declaration" on their website, which I have dutifully completed. Now, let the fun begin. I've been looking forward to this.