Dosh dilemma: George has been ignoring TV Licensing demands – will it catch up with him?

George got in touch with a question many people may have wondered about.

He's been watching TV without paying for a TV licence. He knows he doesn't qualify for a free licence or a discount, and despite receiving repeated reminders, he still hasn't paid.

He wants to know whether anyone will actually do anything about it?

The honest answer is that nobody can say for certain what will happen in George's case. But if you're in the same position, the chances are that ignoring the problem isn't a good idea.

If you're watching TV without a licence when you need one, you're likely breaking the law and could face a hefty fine if you're caught.

Do you need a TV licence?

You need a TV licence if you:

• watch live TV on any channel, including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels
• watch live TV through pay-TV services such as Sky, Virgin Media or EE TV
• watch live TV on streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix or Amazon Prime Video
• use BBC iPlayer

It doesn't matter whether you're watching, recording or downloading programmes. The rules apply on any device, including TVs, laptops, tablets and phones.

How much does a TV licence cost?

A standard TV licence costs £180 a year.

If you only use a black-and-white television, a licence costs £60.50 a year.

You don't have to pay it all at once

If the annual cost is too much, you can spread the payments.

TV Licensing offers a range of payment plans, allowing you to pay:

• monthly
• fortnightly
• weekly

This can make the cost much easier to manage alongside your other household bills.

What could happen if you don't pay?

This is where George's gamble becomes risky.

If you're caught watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer without a licence, you could:

• be fined up to £1,000
• still have to pay for a TV licence
• face additional court and enforcement costs

In some circumstances, the offence could also result in a criminal record.

That's why ignoring letters and hoping for the best can end up being far more expensive than paying for a licence in the first place.

How could TV Licensing know?

Many people assume they won't get caught. However, TV Licensing has several ways of identifying properties that may need investigating.

A national database

TV Licensing keeps a database of around 31m licensed and unlicensed addresses.

This allows it to identify properties where no licence is registered and target enquiries accordingly.

Visiting officers

TV Licensing officers can visit addresses that appear not to have a valid licence.

If you tell TV Licensing that you don't need a licence, or claim that you already have one, officers may visit to verify the information.

Detector vans

TV Licensing says it operates detector vans capable of identifying the use of TV receiving equipment at specific addresses.

Whether you think that's likely or not, it's another reason not to assume you'll simply fly under the radar.

Who can get a free licence or discount?

You may not have to pay the full amount if you qualify for support.

Free TV licence

You can get a free TV licence if:

• you're aged 75 or over, and
• you or your partner receives pension credit

Half-price licence

You may qualify for a 50% discount if you're registered blind or severely sight-impaired.

How can you pay?

You can pay your TV licence:

• online
• by phone
• at a PayPoint location

Payment options include:

Direct debit

Pay monthly, quarterly or annually. Monthly payments are the most popular choice.

Payment card

Pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly at a PayPoint outlet.

One-off payment

Pay the full annual fee in a single payment using a debit card, credit card, cheque or postal order.

Struggling to afford your TV licence?

If you're finding it difficult to keep up with payments, don't ignore the problem.

Contact TV Licensing as soon as possible. If your financial difficulties are temporary, it may be able to work with you to arrange an affordable repayment plan.

The earlier you get in touch, the more options you're likely to have.

For help, call 0300 555 0300 or visit the TV Licensing website.

If you're in George's position, hoping nobody notices may feel tempting. But it's a risky bet.

A TV licence costs money, but fines, court costs and enforcement action can cost far more.

If you need a licence and haven't paid for one, sorting it out now is usually the safest and cheapest option.