Note: more pages about my dealings with the television licence can be found by opening the Stuff --> Rants --> BBC Television Licence menu on the left hand side of the page.

For a while now I have been one of the 2% of the population that doesn't, let me make that very clear doesn't, have a television. I know you are probably rather shocked by this announcement but it's true. I can only conclude that you must be shocked by this because it would seem that having a television is mandatory in the UK, at least according to the television licensing people.

My partner and I gave up television a number of years ago when we bought our first house. I would heartily recommend it to anyone not clinically addicted to television. We have both found that we have much more time now to pursue other interests. The only downside of not having a television is the constant barrage of threatening letters from the television licensing people demanding money for a television set you don't have. In our first house we politely replied to the first letter indicating that we didn't have a television and wouldn't be getting one, stupidly, thinking that would be the end of it. Roughly two months later we got another letter demanding payment. Assuming it was a mistake we replied politely again. Three months (or so later) we got another letter, this time demanding, payment or else. We phoned and wrote back this time. Roughly six months after that we received a fourth demand for payment which we took a large black marker to stating we didn't own a television and sent that back.

All went quiet then for a year until we got a reminder about buying a licence. Not meaning to be picky about this but we didn't have a television so reminding us to buy a licence seems pretty pointless. That letter was ignored and then each 6 months after that we got another letter demanding payment. About 18 months ago we moved house so we presume that property is probably now licensed.

When we moved into our new house we decided that we wouldn't put up with constantly replying to what are essentially extortion letters and vowed to ignore them. Well, a few days after moving in we received our first "reminder". It went in the bin. A month later we received a demand for payment - it to went in the bin. A couple more arrived each time either threatening a visit from the enforcement officers or demanding payment - they went in the bin (actually I think I started a fire with one). Around this time my partner cracked and replied to 3 or 4 of the letters indicating that we didn't have a television. Unsurprisingly the letters didn't stop and we have been receiving a threatening demand for payment roughly every 3 weeks including a number of recorded delivery letters (none of which we were in to receive since we both work full time so the neighbours accepted for us - I didn't think the post office did that on recorded delivery but that's another issue). So far I would say we have received around 20 to 30 letters, most of which threaten legal action and or visits by "enforcement officers"

Now, after about 18 months, we have received another, different, letter that is really reading us the riot act. This one is an "OFFICIAL WARNING" and indicates that we will be visited in the near future by enforcement officers that will take an interview "under caution" (I presume that is just to scare people as I thought only the police have powers to caution you) and in compliance with the the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (you can find this document for free on-line with a quick search). I am pretty annoyed by this. I can understand that they want to ensure the maximum number of people possible have a licence but I don't see why I should be essentially persecuted for not having a television. A quick search of the web indicates that I am not the only person that thinks this way. Rather worryingly it would seem that when these enforcement officers visit they will request access to search our property for illegal televisions. If we refuse it would appear they obtain a warrant and "kick the door down". Apparently warrants are issued automatically in this situation but I will try and verify that tomorrow with the citizens advice bureau.

The problem I have with the television licensing people is the guilty till proven innocent approach to licensing. I would be happy to reply once just after I have moved in to a new property if the letter is polite and comes with a pre-paid reply envelope. After all that would be only a slight inconvenience and I am not an unreasonable individual (well - I don't think I am). After that one reply I would expect to never be contacted again - I have told them my situation and will inform them if it ever changes.

Realistically, would you accept this type of aggressive behaviour from any other company? I don't think so. They are trying to bully people into buying a licence. I realize that there are many people out there that wouldn't buy a licence if they thought they could get away without one but whatever happened to having reasonable grounds before issuing search warrants? I am happy for them to come and park a detector van outside our house for the rest of time if they want but until they have some evidence of illegal television usage I don't see why I should grant them access or why they should be issued a warrant. I will try and keep this page updated with what happens from now on. I hope to write to my MP and get their views as well. I suspect that the MP will not be very interested as the BBC's ability to collect a licence runs out soon and so will become a non-issue.

Before you read on please let me make something very clear. I don't have a television and I never intend to have one. I am fighting for the right to be left alone. I am not fighting for the abolition of the television licence even though I feel that the television license is the wrong way for the BBC to acquire it's funding. If you own a television the law currently states that you must buy a license. If you feel that is wrong buy a license anyway and follow a peaceful protest path by writing to you MP and encouraging a change in the law.