It's Sky's policy to request payment before speaking to you.
It is quite normal to pay past your cessation date (as billing continues as normal during your notification period - including the month in advance).
The following bill will generate a credit to the point of cessation.
It's your responsibility to return equipment, see here: https://www.sky.com/help/articles/return-or-recycle-sky-equipment
Ensure you keep proof of posting.
Whilst isn't what you want to hear you need to settle the outstanding payment and return the hardware (or you will be charged a non-return fee). Once your account is in credit you can request it to be returned to you. You may also incur late payment charges and missed payments reported to your credit history.
I am just another Sky customer and my views are my own even if you don't like the answers
