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TV Licence Refund - denied after account closed

For 3yrs I rented out a property as a holiday let therefore purchased a TV licence under the monthly direct debit payment scheme. This scheme requires 6 months advance payment which I duly paid.

In 2010 I changed to long term rents therefore cancelled the TV licence on the property as the tenant then became responsible for it. At the time, the TV Licence people told me to fill in a form to request my refund. I never got round to this and then forgot about it until someone reminded me recently. I contacted TV Licencing and they have informed me that they have closed my account because I had not reclaimed my refund within 2 years and they are now not able to refund me.

Surely this can not be legal? It is my money (£120). How can they close an account when it still has money associated with it? As far as I am aware there has been no contact from them to state that I have still not claimed my refund. Would gladly receive advise.... thx

Comments

  • Kurtis_Blue
    Kurtis_Blue Posts: 2,217 Forumite
    You need to apply for a refund within 2 years of the expiry of you licence, you did not.
  • dc14a wrote: »
    It is my money (£120).
    It WAS your money, but you gave away all rights to it by failing to apply for a refund within two years. All perfectly above board and legal.
    dc14a wrote: »
    At the time, the TV Licence people told me to fill in a form to request my refund. I never got round to this and then forgot about it
    It was you who were remiss and now you are paying the cost.
  • I realise that - what I don't understand is why they can hold onto my money. The money does not belong to them it belongs to me! And why 2 years? A bank doesn't take ownership of money if you don't use an account for a couple of years. What I am looking for is advise about what I should do to get my money back, thx
  • dc14a wrote: »
    What I am looking for is advise about what I should do to get my money back, thx
    The only way you could get back "your" money (it's yours no longer) is to go back in time and request a refund before the two year deadline passed.
    There is no similarity between this and money held in a Bank. You paid for a service which you didn't use. You didn't deposit the money.
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