the Tv licence man just came round. i have just moved out of my parents and i set up a direct debit but aparently it didnt go through even though i wasnt notified. i wasn't even sent anysort of reminder. I thought i was covered but i wasn't. Now i am gonna end up paying two quarters in one go and have the possiblity of a fine? How likely or how big will the fine be? i am a full time student and work part-time. i am struggling with money as it is and this was a genuine mistake.
2007-06-29 04:28:56 · 16 answers · asked by Faerie Girl 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
i set up direct debit with the man who came today
2007-06-29 09:30:29 · update #1
100% YOU WILL GET FINED. BUT THEY WILL GIVE YOU PLENTY OF CHANCES TO PAY BEFORE THEY FINED YOU. USUALLY ABOUT THREE-FOUR LETTERS AND THEN COUPLE OF VISITS FROM INSPECTORS. AND THEN A FINAL DEMAND OF £1000.
2007-06-29 04:32:10 · answer #1 · answered by Kesh 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Very likely I'm afraid. You are in the doo-doo. Fine is certain if you're found guilty and it could be £1000, but all may not be lost. Read on and take heed. It may help.
Check your bank statements and see if the direct debit amount was taken correctly. You should be able to order one from your bank's cashpoint if you haven't got one already. You can also phone your bank to check that they have received your direct debit mandate form. Ask for a written confirmation.
If you can provide proof that you set up the direct debit then you have nothing to worry about.
As for nobody 'reminding' you that your direct debit hadn't gone through, they couldn't. The onus is on the licence payer to see that payment arrangements are made. If the direct debit mandate form that you filled in was not recieved by the tv licencing authority then they couldn't notify you of anything because they wouldn't know that you had applied.
However, if they had received the form and processed it correctly then it is their responsibility to Take the money From your bank account (pull it out) - it is not your responsibility to Pay it (push it out). The second (push) version is called a Standing Order. Get the difference? It's important.
If your bank has your direct debit details in time then you are in the clear. If not then I'm sorry but they always prosecute and you'll have to plea your case with the magistrate - be nice, dress well (yes, it does make a difference), be humble (that too, 'beaks' hate cocky students), be honest and have as much evidence in your support as possible with you on the day.
I believe you - good luck.
2007-06-29 04:52:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You won't get fined, unless they take you to court, if they do, the fine usually between £100 & £200.
Don't do a quarterly DD, do it monthly.
Did you invite the inspector in? They have no legal right of entry without a warrant. Was the TV switched on? If it wasn't, they can't touch you, it's not illegal to own a TV. Did you sign anything?
Have a look at the link below, it's got some very interesting and useful info.
2007-06-29 05:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by Paul D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on if the TV inspector believed you or not.If he did and you are bringing the payments up to date you may get away with it. On the other hand if he thinks you were sprucing him ,this direct debit thing,how long ago are you supposed to have arranged it,and how many monthly statements from your bank have you had where this could have been checked.He may report you for licence evasion .in which case the fine is up to the local magistrates. Probably about £200 plus the price of a licence.
2007-06-29 04:37:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
as long as it was a genuine mistake and you have given the TV man the direct debit details then this will be OK.
Even if you dont have a licence, they will usually give you a few days to get one before fining you so I wouldnt worry about it.
2007-07-01 23:18:31 · answer #5 · answered by Catwhiskers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm indignant by using the mere reality that we could consistently pay a television licence in basic terms for a handful of channels, whilst all the different channels do basically wonderful without. and that i'm very plenty adversarial to the extensive wages of specific bbc workers. i've got under no circumstances watched dancing on ice, or any of the different dancing shows or celeb shows! i'm bored to death with them!
2016-11-07 19:27:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get in touch with your bank and get the proof that you had set up the direct debit, if you had set it up there would be the agreement that you must have signed
good luck but you may get the chance to pay it up to date or be fined
you will have to be fairly lucky to get away with it
2007-06-29 04:40:43 · answer #7 · answered by suenic40 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had the tv man come round twice (oops! I'd been in hospital and couldn't pay it).I never got fined either time :)
If you have a good case they probably won't fine you x
2007-06-29 04:52:52 · answer #8 · answered by ¸.•*¨) Inked Barbie ¸.•*¨) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will get fined. Period. You are responsible for making certain the payment goes through. That excuse just doesn't fly with ANY judge. The fine will be about $1500.
2007-06-29 04:51:41 · answer #9 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have proof of the direct debit, then no problem. Complain to the bank they are liable for mistakes made by direct debits.
2007-06-29 04:33:27 · answer #10 · answered by MellowMan 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You shouldnt have declared you have a TV.
The licence fee is groundless,unfair and is used to fund the mouthpiece of the government who in return enforces collection if the fee.
The former director general of the BBC spent £1million licence fees landscaping the veiw from his office.
Is it fair that the other channels have to raise revenue with enterprise and hard work whilst the BBC collects its tax with threat of prison?
DONT PAY!
2007-06-29 04:43:29 · answer #11 · answered by private 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋