Partner left, TV licence in his name, what do I do?

FunWithFlags

Hi everyone!

I've tried searching the TV Licence website for my answer but I don't know what to do about switching the TV Licence to my name or buying a new one.

From the googling I've done, it seems I have to buy a new one for the address in my name only. What happens to the one he has in his name? Will they think he's not paying it and come after him at my home? Does he need to cancel his licence? I paid a few times on my card with my name so will that affect me getting a new licence?

Any help would be appreciated because my brain is fried with all the stuff I've had to sort since he left! Thanks

scottishchick27

I'd give them a call and get a licence in your name, it's up to him to cancel his one.

retired2011

It is the address that is licensed not the person.

When does the TV licence for your address end?

Just wait until it ends then buy a new one.

fluffnutter

They won't know unless he tries to transfer the licence to his new address. In which case, I assume your address will then become unlicensed.

You can do a number of things:

1) buy a licence in your name (no doubt this would be the recommended advice).
2) wing it and hope his brain is as fried as yours and he forgets to transfer the licence.

Personally I'd do (2). It's an absolute myth that you'll be stung for an enormous fine if he has transferred the licence and they catch up with you. All you need to do is buy a licence as soon as they notify you. End of story.

FunWithFlags

It ends in December 2013 according to the letter I've found and we only paid one payment of £7 on it before he left. I don't really understand that either tbh because why would we pay that far in advance? It's confusing me quite a bit!

fluffnutter

retired2011 wrote: »

It is the address that is licensed not the person.

This is not strictly true. Students in halls need their own licences, lodgers may if they have no relationship with their landlord/landlady and tenants may need separate licences depending on the nature of the tenancy agreement.

fluffnutter

FunWithFlags wrote: »

It ends in December 2013 according to the letter I've found and we only paid one payment of £7 on it before he left. I don't really understand that either tbh because why would we pay that far in advance? It's confusing me quite a bit!

You pay six months in advance and six months in arrears usually. Are you sure you mean 2013? That means the licence is for more than 12 months.

Fire_Fox

He has agreed to pay by direct debit. If you do this you pay six installments before the license begins and six after it begins. He will either cancel his DD or transfer to the new address, at which point TV licensing will write to you.

FunWithFlags

I wish I understood money more, I still can't get my head around arrears.

If I go and buy a new one today and pay it monthly, would the licence in his name just end?

Sorry to ask such simple questions but I just cant wrap my brains around it

Fire_Fox

fluffnutter wrote: »

This is not strictly true. Students in halls need their own licences, lodgers may if they have no relationship with their landlord/landlady and tenants may need separate licences depending on the nature of the tenancy agreement.

It is the address/ household: students in halls or people in bedsits all have their own numbered/ lettered rooms and that is what they are getting licenses for. Person who pays for a TV license can have it transferred to their new address/ household or can request a refund for any unused quarters.

FunWithFlags

Fire_Fox wrote: »

He has agreed to pay by direct debit. If you do this you pay six installments before the license begins and six after it begins. He will either cancel his DD or transfer to the new address, at which point TV licensing will write to you.

We didn't pay direct debit. We did it fortnighly online using either my or his bank cards.