Help, my TV licence expired 6 months ago and I can't afford to bring it up-to-date

fergyxx

My TV license expired 6 months ago.

I have tried to contact tv licensing to request a payment card as I find it easier to budget by paying weekly amounts, and don't want another direct debit set-up on my account to incur bank charges if I don't have enough money in my account to cover it.

As my license has now expired, they require me to pay £112 upfront which I simply cannot afford at the moment. I worry as they have visited my property twice (when I wasn't home) and I certainly can't afford a fine of £1000 if they catch up with me.

Their call centre never seems to be open at the times I try to call and even when I do manage to speak to someone they are always very rude and abrupt, and do nothing to help or try and understand the position I am in.

I don't even know if they would give me a payment card with my account being so overdue.

Does anyone have any advice they can give me on this?

I was reading the article about how you may not need a licence if it's catch-up tv you watch, and whilst I could take the decision to never watch live-tv - but watch it on catch-up an hour later, I don't think I could commit to this long-term and would probably still end up being caught out if I did watch anything live as it is broadcast.

I live in a property that is owned by my aunt (who lives abroad). My brother moved in with me fairly recently, so I don't know whether to contact them and put the licence in his name or if he would still be liable for the outstanding balance.

fergyxx

Thanks. Have finally managed to speak to someone - apparently their DD dept close at 6.30 - hence my never managing to speak to anyone.

Anyhow, the person I spoke to was far more helpful. Took a one-off payment of £11.20 and sending me out a payment card so I can make weekly payments of £5.60. Far more affordable/convenient given my present circumstances.

I don't know why this option has never been suggested to me before. The last person I spoke to was rude, and demanding the full payment.

Anyway. Problem solved. Thanks anyway.

akamustang

Here is a tip for you, put aside an extra £2.80 a week into a savings pot, then next year pay the whole thing in one go.

This way it'll always cost you half as much in the future.

Alternatively don't watch live TV and you don't have to pay anything.

Cornucopia

I would ask them (if they haven't already done so) to confirm your payment plan in writing, and to confirm that they consider your account to be up to date without any arrears.

In addition to their surliness, they are also sometimes incompetent in their administration of people's accounts.

akamustang wrote: »

This way it'll always cost you half as much in the future.

To be clear, the installment schemes don't actually cost twice as much for the first 6 months, you are paying for a 12 month licence in a 6 month timeframe.