Getting a TV licence refund - another scam!

Cornucopia

Simply tell them that you are ceasing to watch TV & iPlayer, rather than leaving the country - that's the simplest way. It is not an offence to do this, as long as any viewing you do is actually covered by a valid Licence (which is quite likely given that only whole quarters are refunded).

In terms of what they want - it's tenancy-related stuff, and it's evidence of an end to the need for a Licence that has already happened.

almillar

So, what more evidence do they want?

They told you in their email:

A final water or council tax bill, end of a tenancy or rent agreement for your previous property; or
Proof that you have sold your previous property
any other documentary evidence which would confirm the date the licence was last needed.

And asked you to get in touch if you're having trouble providing evidence.

dr_bluestone

I am similarly trying to obtain a refund as I am barely at my property and do not watch TV when I am there.

It doesn't seem right that the maximum refund we are entitled to is 3 months without formal 'evidence' that the property is no longer used (my license is paid up to the end of 2017).

I guess the rules are made strict to avoid floodgates opening for people (like me) claiming that even though I have a property I don't watch TV.

Finally, I wonder why is there so much agression and angst in the MSE forums ... I would have thought we'd be helping each other out rather than appearing to get irritated.

Cornucopia

If you are (illogically) being asked for evidence that you are no longer watching/recording TV broadcasts or using iPlayer, then that is not correct.

Please can you confirm that this is what you have been told by TVL, as I would like to investigate further.

dr_bluestone

Thanks for the reply.

I'm being asked for evidence that I no longer am at the property.
See the evidence required link below:

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/refunds-and-cancellations/apply-for-a-refund#evidence

I still own the property (but it's not unfurnished and hence I'm paying council tax) and hence can't provide any of the evidence requested. Consequently, even though I'm not watching TV etc and am due a refund of 5 months (I requested a refund at the end of July), I will probably only get 3.

Cornucopia

Ah, okay, I misread and thought it was the new property that they are hassling you over.

I would suggest that you simply tell them that you are no longer watching broadcasts at that address. They should not then require proof.

I appreciate that this is still far from ideal as an official process.

kristeva

Hi all

I need to purchase a TV license but I'm probably only going to be living here for 6-8 months. What's the best method of applying with regards to cancelling later? If I set up a direct debit can I cancel easily, anytime, and without having to provide evidence of what I'm going to do or where I'm going, or should I just buy a yearly license and not bother claiming anything back to avoid any stress?

Cheers.

Cornucopia

kristeva wrote: »

Hi all

I need to purchase a TV license but I'm probably only going to be living here for 6-8 months. What's the best method of applying with regards to cancelling later? If I set up a direct debit can I cancel easily, anytime, and without having to provide evidence of what I'm going to do or where I'm going, or should I just buy a yearly license and not bother claiming anything back to avoid any stress?

Cheers.

It doesn't make a great deal of difference, assuming you have the funds to pay the full fee up front. If you do that, then you'll need to contact TVL when you want to cancel and they will refund you the unused portion, to the next whole month.

If you pay by DD, you'll pay double instalments for the first 6 months. Those excess payments will be refunded when you cancel.

In both cases, you'll need to tell TVL that the reason you are canceling is because you are ceasing to watch TV and ceasing to use iPlayer. If you don't do that, they will probably ask for proof of your reason for canceling, which may be inconvenient to provide.

kristeva

Cornucopia wrote: »

It doesn't make a great deal of difference, assuming you have the funds to pay the full fee up front. If you do that, then you'll need to contact TVL when you want to cancel and they will refund you the unused portion, to the next whole month.

If you pay by DD, you'll pay double instalments for the first 6 months. Those excess payments will be refunded when you cancel.

In both cases, you'll need to tell TVL that the reason you are canceling is because you are ceasing to watch TV and ceasing to use iPlayer. If you don't do that, they will probably ask for proof of your reason for canceling, which may be inconvenient to provide.

Thanks. And basically if I pay for a 1 year license up front and I choose not go for any refund I can just let it expire without having to contact them again? I'm thinking it's easier to pay for a year up front rather than an on-going DD because whatever happens the license will run out after 12 months, regardless of whether you choose to claim a refund for anything owing or not, and that's the end of it.

Cornucopia

kristeva wrote: »

Thanks. And basically if I pay for a 1 year license up front and I choose not go for any refund I can just let it expire without having to contact them again?

Yes, it will produce a stream of letters whilst the address remains unlicensed, but there is no legal or financial liability.