I had two letters in my post-box when I got home today, both of them from TV Licensing.
In case you aren’t aware reader, in the UK we have to pay an annual licence fee to own TV reception equipment. That licence fee is what is used to fund the BBC. TV Licensing is a trading name used by companies contracted by the BBC to administer the collection of television licence fees and enforcement of the television licensing system. Crystal?
So, back to my two letters.
The first letter was a strongly worded notice from TV Licensing with red borders, a red logo, and lots of bold type which reads as follows
Dear Owner/Occupier,
Our database lists this address as unlicensed. It is important you realise that it is now illegal to use television receiving equipment to watch or record TV programmes at this property, and this will remain the situation until is is adequately licensed.
Please respond by 19th March to avoid an investigation into your case by TV Licensing’s Enforcement Division. The consequences of such an investigation can be serious.
Ooooh, scary huh? The letter goes on to give me all sorts of information about how to get a licence or update a previous licence if I’ve moved.
The other letter is a somewhat gentler missive…
Dear Mr Twpsyn (name changed to protect the not-so innocent)
Direct Debit Payment Plan – This document confirms that we have a record of your licence.
Thank you for contacting us. Our records show that you have a valid licence which runs out [in a few months] and is being paid for by direct debit.
When your next licence is due you will receive a new payment plan together with your new licence.
So wtf is this all about? In one letter they tell me I have no licence and threaten me with all sorts of dire consequences if I don’t immediately buy one, and in the other one, sent to the same address, they are confirming the payment details I set up with them last year.
It really doesn’t inspire confidence in these agencies does it? If they’re chasing me to buy a licence that I’ve already bought then how many other people are getting needlessly hassled? How many people aren’t getting hassled when they don’t have a licence?
What a bunch of muppets.
