h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is there anyone tell me a way to stop the british TV licencing sending me letters threatening me with fines. I have offered to make my property available, for a nominal entrance fee, for inspection to prove there is no TV reciever located here. They keep on writing to me and apologising in case I already have a licence but the idea that I might not have a telly is never mentioned.
Whoops I am ranting a bit there but, this really gets on my nerves.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.

I think they are probably a bit thick that way - rather like the gas people. They _did_ inspect the complete absence of a gas connection and gas meter and yet _still_ carried on trying to charge me for I gas I didn't have and didn't use. Some people/organisations are persistently incompetent like that - especially big institutions it seems. Eventually, after a few years, they stopped though. Otherwise the court case might have been rather amusing with them trying to show their non-existent evidence for a gas supply and gas consumption.

I work for a very large British government department. We waste a hell of a lot of time pursuing things that are a waste of time because:

1) The automated processes initiate things without the wisdom to spot the bleedin' obvious.

2) There are a lot of people who turn up to work and slavishly follow procedures despite the bleedin' obvious.

3) There are so many 'customers' that the bleedin' obvious goes unnoticed.

The rationale is that as a percentage of time/money/effort expended the bleedin' obvious wastes of time are so trivial that they don't matter.

It's frustrating for us and infuriating for the 'customers' but unfortunately there's not much will* be done about it.

I'd have thought that the onus was on TV Licensing to prove that you have a TV rather than you to prove that you don't.

Taking you to court costs money. If you're lying then you'll pay the costs. If they're mistaken then they'll pay the costs. It might be worth mentioning that the next time they're on your case.

I wonder how the BBC are going to rationalise people without TVs & licences being able to watch TV programs on line, such as the recent series of The Mighty Boosh & BBC news coverage etc?

Can of worms on the horizon...

*deliberate use of 'will' rather than 'can'.

Ring the number on the licence reminder, ask to speak to the supervisor & explain to her. I know it's a her

Keep records of everything and only contact them by means which you can keep a copy of. Then let them take you to court and try to prosecute.

An idea I agree. Having tried that I was told "There are many people who claim not to use a television reciever, our job is to catch and prosecute them."
In honesty that may not be an exact quote.
I responded to this, which felt accusatory, by requesting a visit at the soonest opportunity. Three and a half months later, I recieved the usual standard letter threatening huge fines and rubbish.
I do not have, want or watch television and feel sure there must be a way to prevent this offensive mail being sent to myself or anyone else who does not like being assaulted in this way. Any other ideas I will be grateful for.

Y'know, the local press love this sort of story... even the national press sometimes, but usually only during the slow season - a couple of months back for instance.

thank you SEF & BH my last reply was to granny weatherwax.
I don't expect to be prosecuted there is nothing to prosecute me for. The gas suppliers are obviously fools and all correspondence should deffinately ,be kept you will walk any court case. My question is more about the invasion of my privacy and why an agency like this should need, or be permitted to do this.

Mind you - even though you don't have a TV licence you are using a BBC resource... h2g2

Now you're talking my language. You think wait for what we in Cornwall call the silly season though.

And listening to Radio 4.

Don't feel guilty about using h2g2 and not paying for it. I don't pay, so why should you?

I also have to admit to not paying a brass farthing for the use of the BBC, but I live in Texas, so let's see 'em try that one on in court

I don't feel guilty about using: h2g2 ,radio 4 or local bbc radio free of charge; if there was a charge I would probably pay for at least two out of the three.
I am just looking for a way to remove my contact with intrusive, threatening mail.

There is a similar system of intimidation in place here in Ireland. The TV licence inspectors have the right to search your house for TVs.

And you have to pay the licence if you have a TV, even if you are in an area that can't receive the broadcasts of the national television company.

On the plus side , I suppose, at least you can't be forced to watch the rubbish.

You can also ignore them, chances are they won't do anything if you don't respond.
In my first year at Uni I lived in a hall or residence and the TV licensing people kept on sending demands to the communal bathroom.

These letters became increasingly intimidatory as, unsurprisingly, the bathroom didn't respond, but they reached a plateau and nothing happened. It was quite amusing really

That seems to be the only answer.
Guess what I got through my letterbox this morning (rhetorical question.)

My Ex Husband still suffers from this on occasion, although not since he invited the inspector in.

I think that first reply is right, and I resent the assumption that everyone has a TV, after all I would imagine there are many hootooers that don't!
But for users of televisions, it's worth pointing out how much it costs compared to Sky, or other digital options. We have Sky (against my better judgement!) and 99% of it sucks, the Ads come on every ten minutes and the news is presented for the barely sentient.
Much as I resent paying for a TV licence, I can't see an alternative.

Rant over.
I think you should invite the inspector in, next time they call, they'll probably leave you alone after that.

The Inspector has never called. Lived here three years I have. ('Scuse the welsh.) The Inspector has beeen invited to turn up at random and 'phone for admission.
Why does this letter not apologise to people who have no licence because they have no TV.
Thank you for your respondence.