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TV licence: Can inspectors visit your house and what are their rights?

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The TV licence fee has been increased for 2021, meaning it now costs £159 a year to watch television in your home.

The fee pays for the BBC – so even if you just watch iPlayer or online shows via BBC Three , you’re not exempt from the fee.

While old-fashioned fears about mysterious figures in vans searching for errant households are a figment of the imagination, TV licence inspectors are a very real thing.

Find out what to expect if a visiting officer comes to your door.

Can TV licence inspectors visit your house?

Inspectors can visit your house, although you’re likely to receive a letter before this point.

You can refuse to let an inspector in, but this might lead to them getting a court order – which means they would be allowed to enter by law without your permission.

According to the TV Licensing service, letters are sent to all homes that don’t have a TV Licence , and may get ‘progressively stronger’ if no reply is received.

The service takes into account the possibility that people may have forgotten to pay, or simply don’t watch television .

However, if the letters are ignored, inspectors may come to investigate the situation.

What happens when a TV licence inspector visits your house?

If an inspector visits your home, expect them to look for evidence of a television set up – and ask you about whether you use catch-up services like iPlayer.

They will check for TV-receiving equipment, and ask for a signature from you, confirming their notes.

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Visiting officers may interview an individual they suspect to have committed an offence under the Communications Act 2003, but only after they have cautioned that person.

The visit is likely to be quick, and they should ‘avoid threatening or intimidating behaviour’.

What are the rights of a TV Licence inspector?

TV Licence inspectors can’t visit your house when you’re not present unless they have a warrant from a magistrate (or a sheriff in Scotland).

In these cases, the visiting officers will be accompanied by the police.

In most cases however, the inspectors will show you two forms of ID on your doorstep, and enter the property only when given permission.

They have to ‘respect people’s rights to privacy and confidentiality ’, but they may wear a body camera during the process.

MORE : How much is the TV licence fee in 2021 and what happens if you don’t pay?

MORE : Simon Cowell ‘working on a few TV projects’ as X Factor’s future remains uncertain

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What To Do When The TV License Inspector Calls

The rules around TV licensing are old-fashioned and more complicated than you might imagine; in some cases, you need a license even if you don't have a tv, and in other cases, you can have a TV and not need a license. The key to deciding which camp you fall into is whether or not you watch terrestrial content as it is broadcast. If you do, the chances are you need a license. But in this age of catch-up, on-demand and Netflix, it's more likely than ever before that you can stay in touch with civilisation without needing a tv license at all. The TV License, currently set at £145.50 for colour and £49 for black and white (we said it was quite an old-fashioned system), is there to fund the BBC.

The beeb outsources the collection of the fee to third-party companies, including Capita. This, combined with the fact that one historically doesn't have a choice about whether to pay for the BBC, is why a lot of people object to paying the license fee. To be fair to the BBC, that £145.50 does include all live, online and radio content, so all told, it's not a bad deal, especially if you attend any of the free events, such as performances by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

However, you can consume all of that lovely, lovely content without necessarily requiring a license. If you have a television set but it cannot receive live broadcasts, you don't need a license. So, if your TV isn't connected to an aerial, digital or cable service, you don't need a license. You may wish to pay for one anyway since you are still using BBC content, but you don't need one. Similarly, if you don't own a TV but do use iPlayer, radio and online content, you don't need a license, provided you don't watch live broadcasts from any terrestrial broadcaster, not just the BBC.

You don't need to buy a TV License if...

• * You don't own a TV set and don't watch live terrestrial TV broadcasts.
• * Your TV is used solely for watching catch-up and on-demand content.
• * You are over 75. You still need a license, but it's free.

You do need to buy a TV License if...

• * You watch live broadcasts of any type on any device.
• * You record live broadcasts of any type on any device.
• * You pay to watch TV as it is broadcast, for example, pay-per-view boxing.

What to do if TV Licensing comes to your home

So you've double-checked and are sure you don't require a license, but you still get letters from TV Licensing. Some of the letters may threaten you with a visit from enforcement officers. You can safely ignore these letters if you are sure you don't require a license, or you can respond and advise TV Licensing that you don't require a license (there's a section on the enclosed form for that).

However, you may find that TV Licensing wishes to conduct an inspection. They make a big play out of their spy gadgets that let them check in on who is watching live tv. That's fine; they can do that all day long, but what they can't do is enter your home. Under no circumstances (even if you are illegally watching TV, not that we'd ever condone that) do you have to let inspectors into your home. A number of people have taken to recording enforcement office visits and posting the footage online to instruct others on how to handle similar situations.

The easiest way to get rid of a TV Licensing inspector is to tell them that you revoked their implied right of access. The implied right of access is there so that people with legitimate reasons to enter your property, such as delivery men or milkmen, can do so without fear of prosecution. Withdrawing this implied right confirms that you are not prepared to allow them into your home or to call at your door and that you've done your homework on your rights as an occupier.

They know that if they continue to visit your property after you've revoked their implied right of access, you will be well placed to sue for trespass and/or harassment. You can also do this by writing a letter to TVL, but to do so, you'll need to confirm your own name and address, which is not something everyone is comfortable with.

TV Licence Home Visits Are Back, In Pursuit Of Fee Evaders

The TV licensing inspectors, whose job it is to catch fee evaders, are now visiting homes again – following the suspension of their visits during the last lockdown.

The TV Licensing body normally employs visiting officers who are tasked with finding people who are legally required to pay the fee.

These visiting officers, upon agreement from the person living in the house, “take a brief view of the main living areas to verify whether or not television receiving equipment is installed or in use” (though safety restrictions have now been made – see ahead).

Earlier this year, we reported that those visits were suspended due to lockdown and covid restrictions – but we have confirmed with the TV Licensing body that their officers are making house visits again, in line with Covid restrictions and safety measures.

The TV Licence fee is used to fund the BBC, and currently stands at £159/year.  Anyone who watches the BBC live, or streams it via BBC iPlayer, has to pay the fee. 

Furthermore, if you watch any live TV from any broadcaster (even an international one) – you also need to pay the fee (See our full  guide on whether you need to pay the TV Licence fee  or not).

Failure to pay the TV licence fee is currently a criminal offence (though there have been ongoing talks about possible decriminalisation ), and evaders can end up paying a fine of up to £1,000 or even go to jail, in rare cases. 

What Are TV Licence Inspectors?

The TV Licensing body, along with Capita (a private contractor responsible for the enforcement of the TV licence fee), employ inspectors who are tasked with finding people who are trying to evade the fee.

In the past, they have also claimed to have sophisticated “detection” equipment, such as vans and handheld devices that, when in proximity to your house, can supposedly detect that you’re watching live TV (or the BBC via other means).

When an inspector visits your home, it’s up to the owner/tenant to allow the officer to enter the house, at which point the officer will take a look inside (searching for a TV), and will possibly interview the person who opened the door (depending on current pandemic restrictions).

The only case where an officer can enter your home without your permission, is when he is authorised to do so under a search warrant granted by a magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland). He will then also be accompanied by the police.

TV Licence Visit Safety Restrictions

As mentioned, these home visits were suspended during the UK lockdowns. Recently, however, they have returned – with some restrictions still in place.

A BBC spokesperson told Cord Busters that Visiting Officers have received comprehensive safety training, and are equipped with masks, gloves, sanitisers and wipes.

Additional new measures have been introduced to protect both staff and the customers, such as maintaining a 2-meter distance at all times and not entering people’s homes.

The BBC say they “will continue to follow government guidance to ensure that all visits are safe and Covid-secure”, which may also suggest in-home inspections will return at some point.

What About Home Visits For The Over-75s?

As we reported yesterday, there have also been enforcement changes with the Over-75s population, who are no longer exempt from paying the licence fee (unless they receive Pension Credit).

The BBC announced that the extended transition period is now over, and “reminder” letters will be sent to homes of those who haven’t settled their licence yet.

It remains unclear whether home visits for the over-75s will take place, and in what form exactly.

The BBC tells us that no visits have been authorised so far. However, in the autumn, the BBC will start implementing “customer care visits”, which are meant to “support older customers who require further assistance. 

“Customer care visits differ from enforcement visits, as they have been carefully designed for those who may require further assistance in making arrangements for their TV Licence, and they will be carried out by a specially trained customer care team.”

It remains to be seen how these visits will differ, in practice, from regular home enforcement visits.

You can find out more information about home visits on the official TV Licensing website .

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Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson on July 20 to be a sanctioned pro boxing match

Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on July 20 will be a professional boxing fight sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, the promoters announced Monday. The heavyweight bout, to be shown live on Netflix from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will take place over eight, two-minute rounds using 14-ounce gloves.

The result will affect their professional records. 

“Mike Tyson and Jake Paul signed on to fight each other with the desire to do so in a sanctioned professional fight that would have a definitive outcome,” Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in a statement. “Over the past six weeks MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) to sanction Paul vs. Tyson and we are grateful that we have gotten to this point.”

Tyson, 57, is one of the greatest boxers of all time. Once known as “The Baddest Man on the Planet” for his intimidating demeanor and ferocious knockout power, Tyson was the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.

Tyson (50-6 with 44 knockouts) has not fought since losing to Kevin McBride in June 2005. He will be 58 by the time he enters the ring, making him 31 years older than the 27-year-old Paul. It is the biggest gap in boxing history.

Paul (9-1), a social media star, made his professional boxing debut in 2020. He has since gone on to defeat the likes of former MMA stars Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz. His lone loss came to boxer Tommy Fury in February 2023.  

“It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight, I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard,” Paul said in a statement when the fight was announced in March. “Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons.”

The bout was dubbed a “boxing mega-event” by Netflix, which has expanded its live sports offerings in recent years.

Netflix has multiple sports documentary series including “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” “NASCAR: Full Speed,” “Tour de France: Unchained,” “Break Point” and “Full Swing.” The streaming company also broadcast the Netflix Cup — a golf tournament that paired Formula 1 drivers with PGA players — and a tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.

Greg Rosenstein is the sports editor for NBC News Digital.

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• Find a licence

You need a TV Licence to watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or other device as they're broadcast, and to watch on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer

Apply for this licence

Start now on the TV Licensing website

You need a TV Licence if you:

• watch or record live TV on any channel or service
• use BBC iPlayer

You may be able to get a free or discounted TV Licence if you’re 75 or over and get Pension Credit, or if you’re blind or in residential care.

You do not need a TV Licence to watch:

• streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus
• on-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
• videos on websites like YouTube
• videos or DVDs

How much it costs

A TV Licence costs £169.50 (£57 for black and white TV sets) for both homes and businesses.

If you live in a shared household

You need your own TV Licence if you have separate tenancy agreements and you watch TV in your own room.

You can have one TV Licence for the whole household if you either:

• watch TV in a single shared area
• have a joint tenancy agreement

If you’re living in university accommodation you’ll need a TV Licence to watch TV in your own room. Shared areas may already be covered by a TV Licence.

If you live at another address outside of term time, you can use its TV Licence while you’re at university on any device that’s:

• battery powered
• not plugged in
• not connected to an aerial

If your business offers overnight accommodation, for example a hotel, you need a TV licence for guests to watch TV in their room. A single TV Licence will cover up to 15 rooms or accommodation units.

Change or cancel your TV Licence

If you move home you can update your address on the TV Licencing website .

You can cancel your TV Licence or apply for a refund on the TV Licencing website.

Apply by phone

TV Licensing Telephone: 0300 790 6071 Minicom: 0300 709 6050 Find out about call charges

Fines and penalties

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you watch or record live TV without a TV Licence.

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