If you have any questions about a visit from one of our enquiry officers, a prosecution case or payment of a court fine, this page has answers to some of the most common questions. It may be useful if you have received a:
Our enquiry officers will explain why they are visiting, be polite, courteous and fair, and abide by our rules of conduct.
If you allow an officer to enter your home, the visit is normally very quick. The officer simply takes a brief view of the main living areas to verify whether or not television receiving equipment is installed or in use.
When necessary, they will complete a record of interview and ask for a signature to confirm that the notes taken are an accurate account of that interview.
They will also make sure the person being interviewed knows what the consequences may be of watching or recording live TV programmes on any channel or device, or downloading or watching BBC programmes on iPlayer, without being covered by a TV Licence.
TV Licensing can only enter your home without your permission if authorised to do so under a search warrant granted by a magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland). They will only do this when they have reason to suspect an offence is being committed. TV Licensing will be accompanied by the police when executing a search warrant.
Enquiry 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 (i.e. informed them of their legal rights, including that they have the right not to answer any of the questions). This is in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 or the Scottish criminal law.
An officer will make a written record of the interview and an individual has the right to refuse to sign the record or to ask for corrections to be made if they believe that it is not accurate.
When our officers visit a property they will:
TV Licensing uses various measures to ensure that officers are fulfilling their duties appropriately; this includes assessing the feedback received from people visited. If a complaint is made about an enquiry officer’s conduct, we will investigate and, depending on the outcome of the investigations, take appropriate action.
Find out more about making a complaint
A vulnerable customer is someone whose personal circumstances have a significant impact on their ability to buy or manage a TV Licence. This could be an illness or other condition. Anyone who is interviewed under caution is asked whether there are any personal circumstances they would like to make us aware of.
All TV Licensing enquiry officers receive specific training on how to respond appropriately to customers who report a disability when they visit an address or exhibit behaviour that could be indicative of a hidden disability.
Please call the number on the letter you have been sent or email visit@tvlicensing.co.uk.
Find out how we investigate and prosecute TV Licensing offences:
TV Licensing Prosecution Code (PDF 548 Kb opens in a new window)
Côd Erlyn Trwyddedu Teledu (PDF 588 kb yn agor mewn ffenest newydd)
More help and information if you’re struggling to pay.
To pay a court fine, please contact the appropriate court for your region. You will find the number on the letter you have received from the appropriate authority.
We know that some customers find paying the licence fee difficult. If you are struggling to make your payments see how we can help.
Please contact the court using the details on the letter you have received from them. Unfortunately we can’t provide you with a number as letters are sent by individual courts not TV Licensing.
You can pay your fine in full by phone using the National payment line or online.
To pay you’ll need your account number and Division Code which you can find on the Notice of Fine you received. Please also have a valid credit/debit card to hand.
England: 0300 790 9901
Wales: 0300 790 9980
Go to www.gov.uk/pay-court-fine-online (opens in a new window).