Why we're here:
This blog is to highlight the unjust persecution of legitimate non-TV users at the hands of TV Licensing. These people do not require a licence and are entitled to live without the unnecessary stress and inconvenience caused by TV Licensing's correspondence and employees.

If you use equipment to receive live broadcast TV programmes, or to watch or download BBC on-demand programmes via the iPlayer, then the law requires you to have a TV licence and we encourage you to buy one.

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Resources

A TV licence is only required for those properties where equipment is used to receive television programme services. Anyone that doesn't require a TV licence should be able to live without unnecessary stress and inconvenience caused by TV Licensing's correspondence and employees.

It is for these legally-licence-free people that we provide these free resources. Please download them and help to spread the word.

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Documents:
  • TV Licensing WOIRA Letter: Use this letter to remove TV Licensing's implied right of access to your property. If TV Licensing ignore your instruction and trespass on your property regardless, then they are liable to further action. Please read this post carefully before using this letter. Also be aware that TV Licensing has recently adopted a policy of refusing WOIRA instructions in relation to Scottish properties.
  • Watchdog Template Letter: Fed up of TV Licensing harassment, despite having told them you have no TV? Why not write to the BBC's Watchdog programme? After all, they love nothing better than exposing crooked organisations are rogue salesmen - unless of course it's their own!
  • TV Licensing Visiting Procedures 2021: The most recent copy of TV Licensing's goon handbook. Sadly this copy is redacted, as the BBC doesn't want to reveal too many secrets about TV Licensing's seedy little operation.
  • TV Licensing Ask Help Script: Idiot's guide that tells TV Licensing call centre staff exactly what to say when people call in.
  • TV Licensing Monthly Performance Packs: As carelessly released by the BBC without being fully redacted (read more). We have made all of the text the BBC thought it had hidden visible again. These documents contain a wealth of information the BBC and TV Licensing would really prefer you didn't know.
  • TV Licensing Terms Letter: Letter 1 of 3, which is to be used in conjunction with the information given in this post. Please feel free to edit the charges imposed, but you should ensure they are kept to a reasonable level. If you use this strategy please be sure to let us know TV Licensing's response.
  • TV Licensing Invoice Letter: Letter 2 of 3.
  • TV Licensing Letter Before Action: Letter 3 of 3.
  • Request for TV Licensing Search Warrant Deposition (Letter to Court): Letter 1 of 2: Anyone unfortunate enough to be subjected to a TV Licensing search warrant can request a copy of the information laid during the warrant application process. This letter needs to be sent in conjunction with the other letter.
  • Request for TV Licensing Search Warrant Deposition (Letter to TV Licensing): Letter 2 of 2: Anyone unfortunate enough to be subjected to a TV Licensing search warrant can request a copy of the information laid during the warrant application process. This letter needs to be sent in conjunction with the other letter.
  • LLF Community Response to Perry Review of TV Licence Fee Enforcement: In early 2015 the (then) Coalition Government announced that barrister David Perry QC would be tasked with a root and branch review of the system of TV licence enforcement. Several anti-TV licence campaigners, including the TV Licensing Blog, made this joint submission to the review.
  • TV Licensing Blog Response to Consultation on Decriminalising TV Licence Evasion, Feb 2020: Just as the title implies, these are our comments in response to this public consultation exercise.
  • Capita TV Licensing Court Presenters' Manual: Released in response to a Freedom of Information request in December 2017, this version of the manual reflects a lot of changes to Capita's prosecution process as a result of the introduction of the Single Justice Procedure.
Legal:
  • Statutory Declaration Form: Complete this form if you were unaware that TV Licensing were taking legal proceedings and the court has consequently convicted you in your absence. This is not all that uncommon. You will need to read the completed Declaration to a qualified person (usually a Magistrate or solicitor) who will act as a witness. The completed form should then be submitted to the court, who should overturn your conviction. TV Licensing may re-issue a summons for the same offence if your conviction is overturned in this way.
  • HMCTS Note Taking in Court: This letter, which was released via WhatDoTheyKnow.com, confirms the right for ordinary members of the public to take notes from the public gallery when they are observing court proceedings. If you plan on taking notes from the public gallery it might be prudent to print a copy and have it with you, as experience shows many court staff are unfamiliar with the rules.
  • Notice of Powers and Rights (UK version): This document explains the rights of the occupier in the exceptionally rare event that TV Licensing executes a search warrant at their property in England or Wales.
  • Notice of Powers and Rights (NI version): As above, but for search warrants executed at properties in Northern Ireland.
  • HMCTS Crown Court Manual (Section 32): This manual, available to all court staff, further reiterates a person's right to take notes from the public gallery.
  • ACPO Statement on Photography and the Terrorism Act 2008: This statement, released by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in December 2009, gives information about the law regarding photography/video recording of police officers, service personnel and public buildings.
  • ACPO Letter on Photography in Public: This letter, released by ACPO in August 2010, confirms the public's right to take photographs or video recordings in public places. It confirms that police officers have no right to ask members of the public to stop taking photographs or video recordings. It also confirms that police officers have no right to ask members of the public to delete any images taken in a public place, unless there is a court order to that effect.
    Please keep checking back for new and updated resources.
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