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by nicky0 2307 days ago
Never let a TV license inspector into your house, do not talk to them and never sign anything they ask you to sign. Simply say no thanks and close the door. No matter if you think you have nothing to hide. Do not communicate with them at all. All prosecutions are based on people signing "confessions" after letting inspector into their house. Non-communication is the best approach when you genuinely do not need a license.
1 comments
arethuza 2307 days ago
"Never let a TV license inspector into your house"

Or you could just pay the license fee - which I am happy to do given the quality of content I get from the BBC.

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nicky0 2307 days ago
It's good that you enjoy the BBC's content, I'm aware that many do.

One may love BBC's programmes, or one may not hate them — that is irrelevant. If you watch any TV at all then legally you must buy a license.

The issue is whether you and I should be compelled by government, under threat of criminal prosecution, to pay for the BBC whether we consume its content or not. (As you know even watching commercial TV requires a BBC license, and it is a source of stress for the legally license free to ensure that one does not accidentally infringe when legally using a TV for other purposes.)

My comment was just practical advice for for all those who legally choose not to purchase a TV license yet remain pursued by the BBC with their threatening letters, cards through the door, inspectors etc.

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michaelt 2307 days ago
I've filled out the no-license-needed form [1] for five different homes, every time the letters have stopped and I've never been visited by anyone.

If what you want is the letters to stop, IME filling out the form will prove more effective than strict non-communication.

[1] https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/t...

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nicky0 2306 days ago
They only stop for 2 years and then you have to fill in the form again like a good little boy. That's not the end of the world. The BBC says jump we say how high — fine. But the presumption of criminality (you have read the letters they send, right?) and the fact that you have to proactively contact an organisation on a regular basis to make an agreement with them that you DON'T want to be a customer of theirs, just to avoid being harrased and accused on a monthly basis, is absurd.
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