Legal Information

Understanding your rights regarding TV licensing in the UK.

Withdrawal of Implied Right of Access (WOIRA)

Under UK law, you have the right to withdraw the implied right of access to your property. This means you can legally prevent TV Licensing enforcement officers from entering your property.

A WOIRA notice is a formal notification to the relevant authorities that you have exercised this right.

TV Licensing Requirements

You need a TV Licence if you:

  • Watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV, on any channel
  • Watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, etc.)
  • Download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer - live, catch up or on demand

You do not need a TV Licence if you only:

  • Watch on-demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer
  • Watch DVDs or Blu-rays
  • Watch videos on YouTube (unless they are being streamed live)
  • Play video games

Your Rights

  • You have the right to remain silent when questioned by TV Licensing officers
  • You can refuse entry to your property to TV Licensing officers without a warrant
  • You can withdraw the implied right of access to your property
  • You cannot be forced to respond to letters from TV Licensing

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Laws and regulations may change. If you require specific legal guidance, please consult a qualified solicitor.