Cancelling TV license

[GreyBasket]

Since moving house last year, I don't have a television or any intention of buying one any time soon.

The kids watched iPlayer so rarely and when they do, it's something like Blue Planet we end up buying a series pass for anyway. We haven't watched live tv in ages.

The only thing we do like is sport when it's big like the olympics, but it really doesn't seem worth it to keep paying for a tv license just for a once every 4 year thing. When it's next on, I guess we'll either watch it elsewhere or buy a license again and then cancel again.

My main worry though is people coming round to "check". What should I expect and what should I do if someone does just turn up on the doorstep? Should I refuse entry?

I sacked mine off years ago and just have Netflix and Prime.

I think somebody phoned up to check so I just answered their questions honestly. In ?6 years I’ve never seen a Licensing man, but once had a note through the door that they’d been round but I was out. They never came back.

@LividLaughLove thank you! But dammit, I didn't put a phone number down on the form as it said it was optional. That would have made more sense as I'd rather that than someone turn up.

Glad it hasn't been a hassle for you.

I filled in a form online. I get letters through the door every so often to say I need a licence, so I just go back online and fill in the form again on repeat. It's a bit of a pain but not a massive inconvenience

Thank you @nauseous5000. I did the same re forms.

So you haven't had a visit? That sounds good. I just want to know what to do theoretically as I have heard horror stories about paid for external contractors who are pushy on the doorstep and I don't want that!

We cancelled ours two years ago. I filled out a form saying I only had netflix and prime and got a letter saying I didn't need one and never heard from them again. Saving £14 a month in licence and about £30 on expensive sky or whatever else Amazing.
I do think you need to re declare every three or so years

I get regular letters telling me somebody will come round to check. They never have and I wouldn't let them in anyway, they have no authority whatsoever.

Thanks! Yes, I am now cross with myself I have been paying the last six months without needing to. But at least it can end now - and I have applied for a refund for the remainder of this license.

I won't let anyone in, and I'll tell the kids not to either. Hopefully nobody will bother though!

The people who come round are Capita.

They want to sell you a TV Licence and make commission on it.

They have no right of entry and no way of telling if you are watching live TV as opposed to streaming or DVDs etc.

You'll need to chase hard for that refund OP. They don't like to give anything back.
My mum's flat was demolished and she moved in with me temporarily. She was owed 6 months refund. They made her jump through an amazing number of hoops. They also force the elderly to go online and download forms as they don't accept letters.
I called when she got fed up with it. They said "we don't know that she isn't sitting in her flat watching TV". Despite showing a letter from the housing association that the block had been demolished 3 months earlier. Blood from stone...

We cancelled a few years back. They are bastards - would not give a full refund but only 'to the nearest quarter'. I am sure they deliberately make it hard to do this. Fill in the online form and you should not be bothered. I would not let anyone in my house, and they have no rights. We had to fill in a form again this year, but online and quick. I would not bother but DH insisted so that we would not get someone coming to the house. Will never pay it again.

We've not had a licence for over 5 years, never had a visit. We renew a declaration online every couple of years when they write and that's it.

If someone does turn up just don’t sign anything. Without your signature there’s nothing they can do. They can’t force entry or demand to be let in so just be firm and tell them you filled out the declaration and say goodbye!

We cancelled ours two months ago, we now just use the apps (and not iPlayer).

I've not had a TV license for a couple of years, just filled in the form and nobody has been round or phoned.

I've not had a TV license for about 8 years now I think, I fill in the form online once every 2 years to stop the letters, I've had one visit during that time and I told him I didn't need a license and shut the door.