Giving up the TV licence..

[Deleted User]

forgotmyname wrote: »

I pay by direct debit. So I assume 6 months in advance/arrears.

A monthly DD?

I wont let them in until they invite me around to their house for a cuppa though.

I still wouldn't even then, especially as you have children.

Why should I let a stranger in if they won't?

You shouldn't, even if they would.

Have they got any better these days or make accusations and threats still?

They've not changed at all.

Do I speak to them 1st or just cancel my direct debit?

Much as it annoys me say it, it may be as well to inform them as, if you don't, you will likely get Threat-O-Grams from a DCA called Iqor, as well as from Capita/TVL.

However, don't feel you need to explain or justify yourself.

macman wrote: »

You can't just cancel your DD: you need to make the declaration that you do not watch live TV at the property.

You do not need to make a "declaration".

Simply tell them you are cancelling the licence, and will be cancelling the DD forthwith.

You do not need to explain or justify yourself.

Once you have cancelled the licence, have no further dealings with them.

About 6 months after you cancel, the Threat-O-Grams will convert from being addressed to you in person, to being addressed to the "current/legal occupier".

Once that happens, do everything in your power to keep it that way, and to keep them in the dark about your status.

To that end, do the following:-

1. Don't respond to, or return, any communications from them.

2. Do not sign for any registered/recorded mail from them. Such mail won't be difficult to spot, as their postcodes are BS98 and DL98.

2. Do not speak to anyone you don't know, who visits your home. In particular, do not confirm you name or answer any questions about your TV status. Above all else, NEVER SIGN ANYTHING!

In simple terms, your letter box should be a black hole, into which TVL correspondence should disappear, never to be seen again.

Likewise, your home life should remain a closely guarded secret, of which TVL should be aware of nothing.

This policy has served me well, for over 4.5 years.

forgotmyname

Yeah its a monthly DD £12 or £14 ish?

If they call do i just say no thank you and close the door? Or i dont need one and shut the door?

Whats the issue with signed for mail? Sign M.Mouse?

I have read about not signing their paperwork which maybe dodgy and say i admit to watching TV when i do not.

Thanks.

EDIT: Looking in their website it says declaration... Please olet us know if you will still reside at the same address.

Is that a bad thing?

PintAndAPie

forgotmyname wrote: »

Yeah its a monthly DD £12 or £14 ish?

If they call do i just say no thank you and close the door?

I always ask for their ID first, just to be sure there is nothing else going on. When I've seen it I just tell them that I won't be answering any of their questions and say goodbye before closing the door.

forgotmyname wrote: »

Or i dont need one and shut the door?

You don't have to tell them that, or indeed anything, don't even confirm your name or that you are the home owner.

forgotmyname wrote: »

Whats the issue with signed for mail? Sign M.Mouse?

I've never been asked to sign for any mail from them, I'm not sure what they would be sending you that required this.

forgotmyname wrote: »

I have read about not signing their paperwork which maybe dodgy and say i admit to watching TV when i do not.

The paperwork they have is not dodgy, it is a legal document they will ask you to sign to confirm your guilt. You do not have to sign anything. The TVL operative should, before asking you sign anything, tell you that you are under caution. This will probably sound quite intimidating but it does not compel you to say or sign anything. Don't let things get this far, just politely refuse to answer any of their questions and close the door.

[Deleted User]

forgotmyname wrote: »

If they call do i just say no thank you and close the door? Or I don't need one and shut the door?

What's wrong with "GOODBYE"?

What's the issue with signed for mail? Sign M.Mouse?

It still confirms the property is occupied.

EDIT: Looking in their website it says declaration... Please let us know if you will still reside at the same address.

Is that a bad thing?

IMO yes.

The less they know about you, the better.

silverwhistle

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

2. Do not sign for any registered/recorded mail from them. Such mail won't be difficult to spot, as their postcodes are BS98 and DL98.

I suspect anyway that I'll never receive a registered post to The Occupier.:D What would I tell the postie anyway: "It's gone away"?

forgotmyname

I think im all clear but still confused about not signing any registered post.

Other than a eligible scribble what would that tell them? The house is occupied. No issues with that. As advised above. Goodbye and close the door is all they will get.

I did think of having the antenna cable by the door and offer to sell it to them as i no longer need it.

[Deleted User]

silverwhistle wrote: »

I suspect anyway that I'll never receive a registered post to The Occupier.:D What would I tell the postie anyway: "It's gone away"?

Just refuse to sign, and ask the postman to return it to TVL, marked "UNDELIVERABLE".