Cancelling a TV License!!

Chlorine7

I ‘cancelled’ my tv license in July last year with the reason that I no longer watch TV. I still lived there but did not watch live TV. I received a confirmation email from them stating:

“Since you've let us know you don't need a licence, you won't receive any letters or emails from us for almost two years. We'll get in touch then to check whether your circumstances have changed”

I stupidly thought that this meant they understood that a license was no longer required by the property. So I cancelled my DD and expected a refund given that by July I would have paid the year in full.

I’ve now found out that they have sent me reminder letters saying I need to renew my license. I have just phoned them and they tell me that the license wasn’t cancelled, that they just noted that I didn’t need one. Not only have they contacted me a lot within two years they haven’t changed the status of the property and my account.

I spoke to their CS agent who told me they can’t assume that the property no longer needs a license despite me telling them I no longer need one and updating my details online.

Now to get a refund I have to go online and fill out a form and send it off with evidence of why the license is no longer needed e.g. bills, tenancy agreement etc. How exactly does that prove that I do not watch TV?? In fact, how do I prove that I didn't watch TV between July-Dec? I have attached a copy of their confirmation email instead.

Rant over :mad:

michael1983l

You don't have to provide them with any proof of anything, if they think you are watching TV the onus is on them to prove that you are. If I was you, I'd send them a letter stating clearly that you do not want or need a TV license and also send them a letter revoking their right to visit your property. Its pretty difficult to prove you are watching the TV without being able to knock on your door and see it or peer through your window.

wiogs

I think they have cocked up here.

You have confirmation from them that they agree with you that a licence is no longer needed.

There can be no evidence that a licence is not needed, just evidence that one is needed.

I would write and inform them of they date you told them and the date they replied stating that no licence was required.

As you already have confirmation of that they "should" refund you from that date.

hollydays

Idiots- ignore them

olias

Best thing I did was to cancel my licence. I just watch catchup now.

Olias

vikingaero

Don't speak to them. You will end up with operators who don't know their arris from their elbow

Email a letter of complaint and demand a refund to which they have to respond.

Tell them you won't fill in any online form, and that you will escalate the matter to the Head of Revenue Management and the BBC Trust.

Also tell them that writing to you in 2 years (to harrass you for another licence) is NOT an option and that you will treat the matter as harrassment and negligence. Tell them that in 2 years they can only write ONCE to make ONE appointment to visit to confirm a time and date to visit only on ONE agreed timeslot to ascertain whether a licence is needed - no other options. Tell them you will escalate the matter again to Revenue Management and the BBC Trust.

Of course this is costly for them but the more people who genuinely do not need a licence that do this will change the policies of a shi'ite organisation.

wiogs

vikingaero wrote: »

Don't speak to them. You will end up with operators who don't know their arris from their elbow

Email a letter of complaint and demand a refund to which they have to respond.

Tell them you won't fill in any online form, and that you will escalate the matter to the Head of Revenue Management and the BBC Trust.

Also tell them that writing to you in 2 years (to harrass you for another licence) is NOT an option and that you will treat the matter as harrassment and negligence. Tell them that in 2 years they can only write ONCE to make ONE appointment to visit to confirm a time and date to visit only on ONE agreed timeslot to ascertain whether a licence is needed - no other options. Tell them you will escalate the matter again to Revenue Management and the BBC Trust.

Of course this is costly for them but the more people who genuinely do not need a licence that do this will change the policies of a shi'ite organisation.

Why would you even bother making an appointment to let these people in?

They have no right of access.

michael1983l

Nobody should pay a License Fee, it is just funding a political mouthpiece for the government. We don't need the BBC or local news reporting with the internet being widely available these days. BBC Worldwide makes enough cash to fund its UK operations too.

sarahg1969

Just ignore them. You don't have to prove anything.

Timalay

Great, another TV License/BBC are evil thread.

wiogs

michael1983l wrote: »

Nobody should pay a License Fee, it is just funding a political mouthpiece for the government. We don't need the BBC or local news reporting with the internet being widely available these days. BBC Worldwide makes enough cash to fund its UK operations too.

Nobody need pay the licence fee if they do not require to.

It is not compulsory


Unless of course you watch live TV