TV Licence not accepting payments

shyturtle

Hello

I'm having problems with TV licence not accepting any form of my payments (payment card, online payment and BACS). They have refunded me cheques. The only payment method I have not paid is Direct Debit. They have started to send me red letters of non payments and threatening to take me to court. What should I do?:(

Fosterdog

Do you have evidence of payment attempts and refunds/refusals? If you have proof that they have done this then you have nothing to worry about. Send them a letter stating exact dates you've made payments and when they refunded them, tell them you have the money to pay if they will let you know which method they will allow you to use.

Send it recorded delivery and keep a copy.

If they take you to court you can then prove that you have made reasonable effort to pay and the only reason you haven't is because of errors their end. I can't see any court ruling against someone for trying to pay, especially if you arrive at court with another cheque already made out to them to hand over in front of the judge.

viv0147

I pay for my TV licence by direct debit and have done for many years so I suggest you do it that way.

fluffnutter

You need to find out why they're not accepting payment. What happens when you try? You mention that your cheque was returned. Why? What other methods have you tried and what happened? Have you been able to pay successfully in the past for the same address?

There's clearly something going on which is preventing your account being opened/settled etc. Have you spoken to anyone about it?

shyturtle

You need to find out why they're not accepting payment.

What happens when you try?

I keep getting the money refunded as a cheque.:(:mad: Even though I agreed with the TV licence authority contract and was very keen to start making payments as soon as possible.

You mention that your cheque was returned. Why? What other methods have you tried and what happened?

I don't write cheques anymore (eco friendly)

Have you been able to pay successfully in the past for the same address?

Yes, but TV licence authority keep refunding me with a cheque!!!

There's clearly something going on which is preventing your account being opened/settled etc. Have you spoken to anyone about it?

Yes I have the CAB

Do you have evidence of payment attempts and refunds/refusals?

Yes I have documents to prove this.


If you have proof that they have done this then you have nothing to worry about. Send them a letter stating exact dates you've made payments and when they refunded them, tell them you have the money to pay if they will let you know which method they will allow you to use.

Yes, but why should I be pushed into making payments that may not be suitable to my financial circumstances?? I'm on a low income.....

Send it recorded delivery and keep a copy.

I will do so..

If they take you to court you can then prove that you have made reasonable effort to pay and the only reason you haven't is because of errors their end. I can't see any court ruling against someone for trying to pay, especially if you arrive at court with another cheque already made out to them to hand over in front of the judge.

Very true and I will be presenting some to the court new evidence to back my case.

mttylad

Why should the op "have" to pay by DD?

By DD the take more than a years worth of license fee from you.

IMO it's better to just pay for the entire year in one go, for the following year save up and pay it in one go again.

The TVl should accept all the forms of payment that the OP has mentioned.
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/payment-methods/

wealdroam

mttylad wrote: »

Why should the op "have" to pay by DD?

By DD the take more than a years worth of license fee from you.

IMO it's better to just pay for the entire year in one go, for the following year save up and pay it in one go again.

The TVl should accept all the forms of payment that the OP has mentioned.
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/payment-methods/

I pay once a year, like you probably do.
I make this payment by Direct Debit.
I am not sure anyone suggested a monthly direct debit, did they?

It seems to me that there is some sort of ongoing dispute between the OP and TVL, which the OP is yet to tell us about.

OP, have you paid fully for all previous years, or did you stop paying part way through a year for some reason?

paddedjohn

OP, tell them you don't watch tv any more so you don't want to buy a licence.

bod1467

Unless saying so would be a lie.

If you DO watch live TV (i.e. as it is broadcast - and this includes RECORDING live TV) then you need a licence. If you only ever watch catch-up TV or DVDs then you don't need one.

Note: Dave does not count as catch-up TV. :rotfl:

shyturtle

Hello All

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm sure you all mean well. I like to pay my fair share and without hassle.

mattyprice4004

I take it you kept the money they returned to one side, as it's obvious they'd want it at some point.

Just give them a call, tell them you have xxx outstanding you'd like to pay, ask how they can do it and work from there.