TV license issue

BPH

Firstly, sorry if this is in the wrong section. There are so many!

My previous tv license expired on the 31st December 2009. As I was leaving my owned property for 4 months on the 30th December 2009, I didn't renew. My Dad (licensed) borrowed my TV while I was away.

I returned yesterday to find a number of intimidating letters about renewing my license.

Today (5th May 2010) I start sorting out my affairs, including buying a new tv license.

I end up renewing my old one by mistake online, instead of buying a new one. So it runs out on the 31st December 2010, not in 12 months time.

I ring to explain, they said to put it in writing to apply for the expiry date to be extended, which I have done, and sent via recorded delivery.

Do you think they are going to extend it, or tell me something to get out of extending it?

I am guessing they will say that I should have informed them that I wouldn't have been in the property, and therefore it is my fault.

I am kicking myself for being honest and paying the full amount upfront. At least if I paid by installments I could cancel a direct debit.

Neither the tv license company, nor my bank say they can stop the payment. I paid via Visa debit card.

Does anybody have any experience/thoughts/advice on this?

Many thanks!

vikingaero

My Dad had this problem too. His Cathode TV blew up and he didn't renew his licence which expired the following month. As he was off for 3 months to HK he never renewed. When he came back at Christmas we bought him a new LCD TV and I bought him a new licence online which skanked him for the 3 months. I emailed them and they changed the expiry date.

BPH

For information, they will not extend it unless I can provide evidence to show I was not living there for the 4 month period in question.

Chimpofdoom

BPH wrote: »

For information, they will not extend it unless I can provide evidence to show I was not living there for the 4 month period in question.

If you caught a plane.. then ticket stubs/receipts for travel?

or Credit card/bank card statements? Just a thought

placido

Similar thing happened to me a long long time ago. My TV did break down and I actually did what you wanted to do (bought a new licence, a month or so after the old one expired).

I recall a neighbour telling me that someone "official" had visited my flat whilst I was out. I am certain this was someone from TV Licensing.

Soon after I got a very formal letter saying the "Secretary of State blah blah" had ordered the licence to be backdated to follow concurrently from the previous one.