TV Licence by direct debit confusion

[romeogolf]

For the first time we've decided to get a TV. We've opted to pay by direct debit and I set this up yesterday evening.

I'm a little confused at the payments, though. The licence is £147 and they plan to take £24.50 from the account monthly for the next 6 months. But then in month 7 the payment reduces to £12.25 and comes out monthly.

So to me, I'm paying for a year's licence in 6 months... and then immediately renewing. Should there not be a 6-month break before the lower payments start?



But also:

TV Licensing said:

You'll usually pay for your first licence within six months, in instalments of around £24.50 per month. (If we have to spread the cost into four or five monthly instalments, each payment may be slightly higher). From then on, you pay for your licences in 12 monthly instalments of around £12.25 - six before your licence is due and six after.

As I understand this part, it means I'm paying for my annual licence between now and October and this licence is valid until May 2018. But I'm pre-paying for my 2018/19 licence from November.

Starting to wonder if I should have just paid for it up front and got it over with...

[mcflurry]

The first year is paid up in 6 months.
You then have an ongoing payment. If you ever stop needing a licence, presumably you'd get the credit back?

[Sleepers]

I just phone up and pay annually. Means I don't need to give them e-mail address etc. If you ever cancel a licence, depending when you may not get all your credit balance back...

[Sleepers]

I just phone up and pay annually. Means I don't need to give them e-mail address etc. If you ever cancel a licence, depending when you may not get all your credit balance back...

[indestructible focus]

We pay quarterly which avoids giving them the extra money for their fat pensions.