I moved to the UK a few years ago, I'm still really surprised with the state of TV here. Between this and things like "TV licence" - It's just an embarrassment really.
I'm working on renovating a property currently, have been for a year and a bit. It's uninhabited. There's no TV, no internet connection; just drills and saws. There isn't even running water.
I notified them that the property was unoccupied in response to their first letter, 18 months ago.
They said that they didn't believe me, and an enforcement officer would be over. One came while I was away and left a "I'll be back with bailiffs" note, and about six months ago, I had them show up on my doorstep with police in tow. The cops seemed highly bemused to have been dragged to a property which didn't even have windows at the time, never mind a bloody television. They left, he said not a problem, no more letters.
Since then I've collected about 15 more "we know you have a television!" letters from the doorstep there, and yet another note from a different visiting enforcement officer.
Based on this and a previous similar experience a decade ago, I can't help but conclude that they spend every penny they collect on arse-about-tit enforcement.
Whole system is daft.
So anyway, I kept getting letters from TV licensing. I called them up and told them to remove me from their database which they did. One year later the letters were back (except addressed to "The Occupier"). I get a letter every month with varying degrees of threatening outcomes if I don't contact TVL again. It pisses me off that a private company (it's managed by Capita) is allowed to send harassing letters like this despite being told not to.
I did once get a TVL "enforcement officer" come knock on my door. After he identified himself I politely told him that I didn't need to let him in (they have no powers) and that I wouldn't be confirming or denying if I have any TV equipment (you don't need to). At that point he just walked away. That was about three years ago so I'm no doubt due for another visit.
The last time I lived in the UK without a TV, it was in a fancy part of London.
We replied to the first letter, and never again heard anything from TV Licensing.