Jack_Bruce

Ernie I used this number from the UK this afternoon.  Got through first time, and all now sorted.  Although if EDF had replied to my letter to them (in French) responding to their registered letter, no phone call would have been necessary.  I never tried the email address. Reassuring to know that we will have electricity when we get to our house later this week (threatened with disconnection for non-reading of the meter, even though all bills paid promptly). Regards Pat (not Jack)

Dick and Mike (Michelin 79) Thanks for setting our mind at rest.  We will assume the poste recepteur is indeed the television set and not the aerial and will return the forms accordingly. Regards Jack and Pat

We have two houses in France, and last year the Tax d'hab included the TV licence charge for one house and did not include it for the other.  We wrote to the Bellac office and explained that although there was an aerial, we did not actually have a television.  We also paid the tax d’hab bill, less the amount of the television licence, and presumably that has been accepted for 2005.  We do not have a television as the other house, so had no problem there.   However, we have now received a form for each property in which we are required to declare that there is no aerial, nor other similar arrangement.  Unfortunately, both houses have aerials fixed to the chimney in each case, and far too high up to be able to remove them (although technically it’s too late now for this year anyway).  Does this mean that we will have to pay for two television licences, when we have no television at all?   The third declaration on the form seems to indicate that you can pay for a TV licence at your principal residence, with the implication that if you pay for it once, you will not have to pay again.  Would it be possible, legally, to use this option and choose one of the houses for the licence, rather than having to pay for two?   It is very irritating to think we might have to pay for something that we can’t actually use, but to have to pay for it twice …..!!!   Has anyone else been in this situation of being charged for a television licence because they have an aerial?  If so, did you manage to persuade the authorities not to make the charge, and how?  Any advice gratefully received.   Many thanks. Pat and Jack