TV license

Jamie and I finally have tv at home. We applied for a tv license, but he told me that we'd have to pay £30 a month until the end of the year, then next year it would be £9. Why are we paying for earlier this year when we couldn't even get tv? Wouldn't we pay for what we're going to use?

For some weird reason when you first get a license they make you pay it over 6 months (i think)  instead of 12, that's why you're paying a higher rate this year.

I've never heard of that before.  TV licenses aren't tied to the calendar year or fiscal year; if you take out a new license at any time it will be valid for 12 months from issue and should cost the same amount no matter what,

It sounds as though TVL might be trying to get you to pay for both a new license  and backdated charges to whenever the last license for your address expired.    It definitely needs querying.

No they get you to pay for a year in advance, but for your first license you pay it over 6 months:

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/waystopay/directdebitintro.jsp#link2

Hmm.....

I was just searching the TVL website to check and found that page too.   Looks like another change they've slipped in at some point.

It's been like that for a few years I think.  I always pay in full up front, otherwise it's too confusing!

I have no experience of the installment plan either, nor of the TV savings stamps scheme.  If you want a collection of intimidating TVL letters, I can certainly help out though!   

Could we stay on topic please?  This is a question about payment plans for TV licences.  Not yet another opportunity to rant against the Government.  I'm fairly sure there are other forums out there for such things.

Sorry, I must admit that I tend to see red a little whenever the subject of TVL is mentioned. 

More to the point at hand, if you are setting up a direct debit arrangement just keep a careful eye on the amounts being taken from your account to be sure that they are the correct amounts and at the correct times.  Incorrect and double charges are not unknown.

Isn't the tv licence for the residence?  It seems to me when we paid ours, we were told to wait until the renewal was sent.  Then we paid in full for the next year.  We had the option to pay monthly, quarterly or annually.  I paid it all in one whack.  It was £125 or so.

Isn't the tv licence for the residence? 

Yes.  The license can be transferred to a new address when moving, but if someone moves out without canceling or transferring, then the house will still be covered until that license expires (although strictly speaking you should have the piece of paper so that it can be produced upon demand).

I have a really stupid question.  Are you supposed to have a piece of paper that says "this is your tv license" ?  The reason I ask is this...
The house I'm renting is owned by a friend.  She moved in with her partner but cant sell the house as she bought in under some Housing Excecutive Scheme where if she sells it before a certain time period has lapsed she has to pay a penalty.  She was on a payment plan for the tv license at the house i'm living in and said she wasn't going to transfer her license as her parter already had a license for his residence and if we wanted we could just take over the payments on hers to save us getting one (didnt have one as we had come here from Dublin).  When it was up for renewal we got a letter with the next years payment schedule and we've been paying on it.  But, it just dawned on me yesterday that if anybody came to the door, we only have that piece of paper with the schedule and my reciepts that I save when I go to the Post office to make payments.  Do they issue you an actual document?

Are you supposed to have a piece of paper that says "this is your tv license" ? 

Yes, there is an actual license which shows the address, issuing stamp, and expiry date.  It will also indicate whether you're licensed for color or monochrome reception.

In theory you could be asked to present the license.   In practice, so long as the TVL database shows your address as having a valid license in force the chances of anyone actually asking to see it these days are pretty slim.   

Yes, you either have a handwritten one if you pay for it over the counter, or if you do it online or by phone they send you a printed one in the post. I would get it changed into your name to be on the safe side.

Thanks