Duplicate payments for Television licence

Newnoel

So my son and his gf have been sharing a flat and all bills for the past couple of years. With one of them being furloughed, they have gone through their bills and it transpires that both of them have been paying for a TV licence for the flat during that time. They have a single television in the living room, and an iPad each for iPlayer etc

The TV licencing customer service team have closed all phone and on-line interaction, due to Covid-19 so there is no one they can speak with.

Two questions:

1) Should they just cancel their direct debit for TV licence monthly payment for one of them? This article seems to suggest this is their only option:

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/experts/article-8196939/I-need-cancel-TV-licence-website-says-cancel-Direct-Debit.html

2) Can they reclaim past duplicate payments?

pphillips

If you have two licences at the same address you may be able to claim a refund
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ260

Marvel1

Going forward I suggest you a joint account soley for household bills.

Newnoel

pphillips said:

If you have two licences at the same address you may be able to claim a refund
https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ260

Thanks for this - it looks like they can reclaim the licence fee for the past couple of years. Need to print out and post off a form.

Can anyone advise on the question on whether to cancel their direct debit for TV licence monthly payment? 

[Deleted User]

Newnoel said:

Can anyone advise on the question on whether to cancel their direct debit for TV licence monthly payment? 

It's not recommended to cancel any Direct Debit until you have formally cancelled with the recipient. Unless you are in severe financial hardship, wait until TVL can acknowledge your cancellation. 

DCFC79

How on earth did it happen ?

Did they not communicate with one another and decide who pys what ?

Only got themselves to blame, in future they decide who pays what or as advised get a joint account.