TV Licensing
- Visits, prosecutions and finesLink for Visits, prosecutions and fines
- / Visiting Officer code of conduct
Our Visiting Officers’ code of conduct
When our Officers visit a property they will:
- Show their ID card. If requested, they’ll also give you a telephone number so you can call and confirm the details on their card
- Explain why they’re visiting
- Be polite and fair
- Follow all laws, regulations and policies
- Not use threats. Or any intimidation
- Respect your right to privacy. And confidentiality
- Enter your property only when you give permission, unless a search warrant has been issued
- When necessary, complete a record of interview. And ask for your signature to confirm that their notes are correct
- Make sure the person being interviewed knows what may happen as a result of watching or recording any live TV or BBC iPlayer without a TV Licence
- Stop the visit if you ask them to leave, unless a search warrant has been issued
- When necessary, use detection equipment or apply for a search warrant if they believe that someone at the property is committing an offence
If you need to make a complaint
We use lots of measures to make sure our Officers complete their work appropriately. This includes looking at the feedback we get from people who have been visited. If we get a complaint, we investigate and take action when necessary.
Find out how to make a complaint.
Rules that apply to a record of interview
Officers may interview a person they believe or suspect to have committed an offence under the Communications Act 2003. But only after they’ve cautioned them.
This is in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 in England and Wales. Or equivalent in other areas.
An Officer will take the details of the person being interviewed, ask to check the TV receiver and write down everything that’s said under caution.
The person being interviewed doesn’t have to let the Officer into their property and has the right to remain silent. They can ask to speak to a lawyer and can refuse to sign the record of interview. They can also ask for changes to be made to it if they disagree with anything before signing.