Why is it so difficult to achieve anything these days?

[Barmaid]

I moved out of my property a couple of weeks ago. OK, so my furniture is still there, some clothes and books etc but the valuable stuff (jewellery, TV, stereo, cats etc) is at my partners. Thought I should cancel the TV licence. Apparently, I need "proof" - ie a final council tax bill, a solicitor's letter etc. As I explained ad nauseum on the phone I DON'T HAVE ANY SODDING PROOF BECAUSE MY HOUSE IS STILL MY HOUSE I JUST DON'T LIVE IN IT!!!! (I will be renting it out in January)

I ended up losing my rag and telling them I would just cancel my direct debit and they could prosecute me and asked them to ensure they had a note of my conversation so I can bring that up in the impending court case.

Grrrr, bureaucracy just makes me so damn cross.

Sorry, not really a question, just a rant. Mind you, its put me in entirely the right mood for Tescos.........

[Bbbananas]

Yup - you will now overspend on wine and chocolate...

[Barmaid]

Absolutely Salla. I shall be home in half an hour with a reassuring chink chink.

[Bbbananas]

It always helps barmaid...always helps.

[LoftyLottie]

They are totally useless. My son does not have a television and kept getting letters about getting a licence. They zoom in as soon as a house is lived in by a new occupant. He phoned them but they said they wanted it in writing. Apparently they assume everyone has a TV unless proved otherwise. So the onus is on the house occupant to prove they haven't got a TV. He just ignored all the follow up letters and the final one saying they would prosecute if he did not get a licence and they were sending their 'inspectors' round. It all just fizzled out in the end.

[China Doll]

I have the same problem Barmaid. I've not owned a TV in about a year and I keep getting all sorts of letters from them. I tried to call but they don't work outside office hours and how do I prove I don't have a telly? Invite them round for coffee maybe.... Anway, I'm looking forward to my day in court. You're more than welcome to represent me to get your own back but I think my defence of 'I don't own a fecking telly!' is pretty robust :c)

[mccfluff]

get me a bottle of rose whilst your there please, oh and some cat food

[China Doll]

Mmmmm... Rose....

[mccfluff]

just a tiny seed China but it will grow......

[Barmaid]

I have bought wine. And chocolate. And prawns. I feel so much better.

China, would happily represent you. And I think as far as defences go, that ain't a bad one!!! lol, I told them on the phone that they are welcome to meet me at the property at a time of their choosing. But I shan't be providing coffee and cakes.

Lofty, its just typical of their bully boy tactics. So I have now cancelled the direct debit. I can't wait for this one to blow up, I am going to SO enjoy it (apart from anything else, ALL the local solicitors know I have moved out, reckons I shall call them one by one to give evidence in my defence).

[dothawkes31]

If you have moved out and noone is living there, your council tax should adjust to 50% as an unoccupoed property shouldn't it? Send the TV licence a copy of that ammended council tax statement

[SnakeEyes]

For the TV licence people to be happy you have to let them search your property every 4 to 6 weeks for the first few months. Then they come round every 12 weeks. Have fun.