No TV licence while house is empty?

itchyfeet1000

I have recently returned from a five month backpacking trip during which time my house was empty and my TV licence expired, I knew this would happen and my put my TV into storage in order to comply with all licensing rules only getting it out again when I had renewed my licence, on my return there were several reminders and I had received a visit from an investigator but all they would have found was an empty house with no telly.
Despite clicking on new licence and that day's date my new licence was backdated to the expiry of the old one, I emailed TV licensing and asked them to recify this and was asked for proof that the house was unoccupied, I replied I had no way of proving that I was not there and that they had to prove that I was to which I have had no reply.
I will write to the ombudsman but any tips as how to rectify this without going down this route would be appreciated.

stuhse

Send them a photocopy of the stamps in your passport ?  

itchyfeet1000

stuhse said:

Send them a photocopy of the stamps in your passport ?  

I did think about that but I did not leave the country for a week after leaving the house, I might do it anyway.

prowla

Well, doing it to make the point that you were indeed away rather than being called a liar would at least give some gratification.

Any credit card receipts?

Receipt for the storage?

Put the TV back in storage next time renewal is due and say you don't have one, just for the heck of it?

Cornucopia

Too late here, but I'd always recommend when cancelling a Licence, either permanently or for a temporary period, giving the reason that no live TV broadcasts and no iPlayer will be viewed.   

Using that reason means that TVL cannot ask for evidence (because there cannot be any).  

itchyfeet1000 said:

...I will write to the ombudsman but any tips as how to rectify this without going down this route would be appreciated.

Ombudsman?

Swipe

You did not need to put your TV in storage just because you had no licence while you were away.  

km1500

Yes they do backdate and the general consensus is to buy your licence in a different name to avoid this eg someone else living at the property.