TV Licence - ALL TV licence discussion/queries in this thread.

Capt'n Midnight · 29-04-2017 8:04am

gizmo81 wrote: »

However, I just wondered An Post don't read the residents of regular mail but because he accessed an An Post service they were able to use this data.

Is this a legitimate practice?

An Post have get a tenner out of the licence fee.

They have been using the names on post sent to the address since the 1980's so wouldn't be surprised. And if it's buried in the terms and conditions or in law somewhere there's no comeback. To give you an idea , Cablelink and RTV rentals used to have to send the names and addresses of their customers in so they could check they were paying a TV Licence.

elperello · 29-04-2017 10:40am

Sorry if this has been answered before, I'm not a regular here.

An old pre-Saorview tv can't receive a signal without a Saorview or satellite box so do you need a licence if you have one in the house?

Fred Swanson · 29-04-2017 1:29pm

This post has been deleted.

elperello · 29-04-2017 1:33pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Thanks for the info.
Why is that when there is no signal it can pick up?

ps. just teasing it out I actually have a licence

Fred Swanson · 29-04-2017 1:35pm

This post has been deleted.

elperello · 29-04-2017 11:10pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

But is there anywhere in Ireland that still has an analogue signal?

Fred Swanson · 29-04-2017 11:15pm

This post has been deleted.

elperello · 30-04-2017 4:47pm

Thanks again for bearing with me.

I looked up the Broadcasting Act 2009 Section 140 and found this -

“ television set ” means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction with it) and any software or assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus;

I suppose that's that then. They appear to have it covered and even though your TV can't receive a signal on it's own you still need a licence because it will work in conjunction with a satellite or Saorview box.

I think it's a bit harsh. It's a bit like if there was still a radio licence and they insisted on you having a licence for an old Medium Wave set.

Sam Russell · 30-04-2017 10:07pm

elperello wrote: »

But is there anywhere in Ireland that still has an analogue signal?

The Virgin cable has an analogue signal. Even if you do not have Virgin, the set has a tuner, and you are required to have a license. As far as I am aware, no court has been asked to determine if an analogue only TV does not need a licence. You could try and be the test case.

Sam Russell · 30-04-2017 10:09pm

elperello wrote: »

I think it's a bit harsh. It's a bit like if there was still a radio licence and they insisted on you having a licence for an old Medium Wave set.

Actually, and old MW set would have LW and RTE still broadcast on that (for the time being) so if radios needed a licence, such a set would need one.

elperello · 04-05-2017 11:51pm

Sam Russell wrote: »

The Virgin cable has an analogue signal. Even if you do not have Virgin, the set has a tuner, and you are required to have a license. As far as I am aware, no court has been asked to determine if an analogue only TV does not need a licence. You could try and be the test case.

I didn't know that Virgin signal was analogue but I presume you'd need a Virgin apparatus as well as the telly to receive the broadcast. I just think that if someone has an old telly in the house but no way of getting a signal they should not need a licence.

Ah I won't be bothering the wigs over this, my tilting at windmills days are over!!

elperello · 04-05-2017 11:53pm

Sam Russell wrote: »

Actually, and old MW set would have LW and RTE still broadcast on that (for the time being) so if radios needed a licence, such a set would need one.

I meant a MW only set.Sloppy comparison on my part.

elperello · 04-05-2017 11:56pm

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/tv-licence-fee-wont-apply-to-pcs-laptops-and-tablets-788265.html

Whatever about ancient radios and tellys it looks like we won't need a licence for the laptop.

Sam Russell · 05-05-2017 6:32pm

elperello wrote: »

I didn't know that Virgin signal was analogue but I presume you'd need a Virgin apparatus as well as the telly to receive the broadcast. I just think that if someone has an old telly in the house but no way of getting a signal they should not need a licence.

Ah I won't be bothering the wigs over this, my tilting at windmills days are over!!

If you have Virgin BB, all you need to do is put the cable directly into the aerial input of the analogue only TV and tune it and you will be able to watch 16 or so channels inc RTE, BBC, ITV, TV3 and Ch4.

So yes, a TV licence is required.

ct5amr2ig1nfhp · 09-05-2017 6:59pm

12.5million and only 40 inspectors? How on Earth is it costing that much to collect? Ffs.

brightspark · 09-05-2017 7:21pm

Lucca Brief Gargoyle wrote: »

12.5million and only 40 inspectors? How on Earth is it costing that much to collect? Ffs.

I'm guessing it costs money to send out each reminder (I've been guilty of forgetting to pay until a third reminder lands on the doormat).

Also processing each payment probably has an additional cost.

Elmo · 10-05-2017 5:56am

brightspark wrote: »

I'm guessing it costs money to send out each reminder (I've been guilty of forgetting to pay until a third reminder lands on the doormat).

Mmmm lets just think of what economies of scale a Post Office might use to send out reminder letters!

Dodkrake · 10-05-2017 4:04pm

Hi all,

I recently moved to Ireland and just recently got a letter from an post about the TV license in the place I live. I did some digging through local law on this and have a couple of questions that you may be able to get back to me on. First, important data on my case:

1. I live in a Room in a temporary accomodation Hostel. It's somewhat of a shared house but we're on monthly contracts and you can actually let for a couple of weeks if you wish.

2. Nobody in the shared accomodation got the letter but me;

3. The letter had my name claiming that the whole house was not on the records for a TV License.

My question is related to a) am I liable to pay TV license in a shared house with 30 other people when I'm not even an actual tenent? I'm living in something closer to an hotel than an actual house or apartment and b) how did they get my address? Is it not a breach in Irish data protection? I'm registered in Revenue, Welfare and my bank with this address but I never provided my data to post. My mail mostly goes to my work address as well because it's more convenient.

Thanks for your help.

PS: I do have a TV with Freeview connection and I'm not claiming that I refuse to pay this, but I don't see how fair is it that I've been here a couple of months and have to pay TV tax on shared accomodation where most people own a TV and nobody got notified.

PS2: Personal opinion, it's ridiculous that I have to pay "RTE Tax" to watch netflix and play PS4, but law is law!

Johnboy1951 · 10-05-2017 4:24pm

It is a licence to posses a device or devices covered by the licence.
You posses a TV then you pay the licence.

Why do not not already have a licence if you are not refusing to get one?

Dodkrake · 10-05-2017 4:30pm

I'm not sure you fully read what I mentioned. I'm in an hostel, temporary accomodation. Also, the full house is shared by about 30 people, some that have been there for more than 2 years and haven't got a notification for a TV license. Finally, they have my name, which breaches the Data Protection laws in Ireland as I never provided an post with my details. Why would I need to have a TV license in this particular case? That's what I'm trying to understand. Also, since my license would cover the whole house, why do I need to pay for it when everyone else has got a TV and no notification on it?

Edit: Called the services, the house has got a TV license so I don't need to pay. The owner pays it and it covers the whole area.

Johnboy1951 · 10-05-2017 5:00pm

Dodkrake wrote: »

I'm not sure you fully read what I mentioned. I'm in an hostel, temporary accomodation. Also, the full house is shared by about 30 people, some that have been there for more than 2 years and haven't got a notification for a TV license. Finally, they have my name, which breaches the Data Protection laws in Ireland as I never provided an post with my details. Why would I need to have a TV license in this particular case? That's what I'm trying to understand. Also, since my license would cover the whole house, why do I need to pay for it when everyone else has got a TV and no notification on it?

Edit: Called the services, the house has got a TV license so I don't need to pay. The owner pays it and it covers the whole area.

I guess you are sorted then.

Fred Swanson · 10-05-2017 5:19pm

This post has been deleted.

shivermetimber · 15-05-2017 6:37pm

How do the TV licence record office / an post get your name to address a declaration letter to you personally at an address?

Fred Swanson · 15-05-2017 7:25pm

This post has been deleted.

shivermetimber · 15-05-2017 7:54pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Surely getting info by those means violated data protection of some kind?

STB. · 15-05-2017 10:29pm

shivermetimber wrote: »

Surely getting info by those means violated data protection of some kind?

https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Guidance-Note-for-Data-Controllers-on-Keeping-Personal-Data-Obtained-From-the-Electoral-Register-Up-to-date/872.htm

Are you on the electoral register ? checktheregister.ie

If not well.....they wouldnt, would they ? Nah...:pac:

shivermetimber · 15-05-2017 11:02pm

STB. wrote: »

https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Guidance-Note-for-Data-Controllers-on-Keeping-Personal-Data-Obtained-From-the-Electoral-Register-Up-to-date/872.htm

Are you on the electoral register ? checktheregister.ie

If not well.....they wouldnt, would they ? Nah...:pac:

Surely not :pac: Yeah, I'm on the register.

Elmo · 15-05-2017 11:10pm

shivermetimber wrote: »

How do the TV licence record office / an post get your name to address a declaration letter to you personally at an address?

In any case its called the EirCode. All properties can be located.

Dear Household,

We note that a TV licence is not present at this EirCode address!

Regards,

Fred Swanson · 15-05-2017 11:12pm

This post has been deleted.

Elmo · 15-05-2017 11:19pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Just one more thing ....

Please reply to this notice with your name!:rolleyes:

McHardcore · 23-05-2017 8:40pm

So the TV licence inspector called around yesterday evening at 8pm.

I answered the door to a man in trekkies and was first shown an ID, was told who they were, and was asked "Do you have a TV at this address"?
I said no, and he went back to looking down at his papers. Meanwhile Netflix is blaring out of the sitting room. He said that he saw that we didn't have a licence registered for this address. While he was still looking down, he asked me what my name was. I said "no" and proceeded to close the door.

Anybody know what their next move after that typically is?

PraxisPete · 23-05-2017 8:47pm

McHardcore wrote: »

So the TV licence inspector called around yesterday evening at 8pm.

I answered the door to a man in trekkies and was first shown an ID, was told who they were, and was asked "Do you have a TV at this address"?
I said no, and he went back to looking down at his papers. Meanwhile Netflix is blaring out of the sitting room. He said that he saw that we didn't have a licence registered for this address. While he was still looking down, he asked me what my name was. I said "no" and proceeded to close the door.

Anybody know what their next move after that typically is?

He'll probably call back. No name no game for them.

naasrd · 24-05-2017 12:31pm

McHardcore wrote: »

So the TV licence inspector called around yesterday evening at 8pm.

I answered the door to a man in trekkies and was first shown an ID, was told who they were, and was asked "Do you have a TV at this address"?
I said no, and he went back to looking down at his papers. Meanwhile Netflix is blaring out of the sitting room. He said that he saw that we didn't have a licence registered for this address. While he was still looking down, he asked me what my name was. I said "no" and proceeded to close the door.

Anybody know what their next move after that typically is?

Nothing more will happen. They're onto the next road the next day with a new list. You're under no obligation to answer any questions let alone open the door to them.

runawaybishop · 24-05-2017 12:43pm

naasrd wrote: »

Nothing more will happen. They're onto the next road the next day with a new list. You're under no obligation to answer any questions let alone open the door to them.

If the inspector thinks he has evidence there is a TV then they will attempt to get a name and issue a notice. Even if they didn't hear a TV they assume everyone has a TV unless you make a statement otherwise. The difference between the 2 here is that the inspector has good reason to believe there is a TV so they will step up the procedure. It'll still be slow though.

Fred Swanson · 24-05-2017 2:09pm

This post has been deleted.

McHardcore · 19-06-2017 8:18pm

McHardcore wrote: »

So the TV licence inspector called around yesterday evening at 8pm.

I answered the door to a man in trekkies and was first shown an ID, was told who they were, and was asked "Do you have a TV at this address"?
I said no, and he went back to looking down at his papers. Meanwhile Netflix is blaring out of the sitting room. He said that he saw that we didn't have a licence registered for this address. While he was still looking down, he asked me what my name was. I said "no" and proceeded to close the door.

Anybody know what their next move after that typically is?

So I have an update for you guys. Last week I received a letter from An Post in an post titled to "The Occupier".

It is titled "SEARCH WARRANT NOTICE".

"Dear Sir/Madam A Television Licence Inspector visited the above address in order to ascertain if there was a Television Set on the premises under Section 146 (4) of the Broadcasting Act 2009*. The Inspector received no co-operation when visiting the premises. In such circumstances such as those where an Inspector has grounds to believe that there is an unlicensed television set / apparatus on the premises he/she is authorised to obtain a Search Warrant to assist his/her enquiries under Schedule 2 Section 8-1 of the Broadcasting Act 2009*........"

I guess this is a continuation of scare tactics?

Fred Swanson · 19-06-2017 8:53pm

This post has been deleted.

styo · 19-06-2017 9:01pm

So, if you don't have a tv all good. If you do, at this point you'd be advised to get rid of it, because they have you.

If you watch Netflix to a tv you still need a license. The determining question is whether the panel was sold as a tv, and includes hardware to decode any form of tv signal, whether rte broadcasts it or not.

There are a new line of panels being sold by companies such as Vizio on the states that are sometimes called monitors or "tunerless TVs". You would not need to license these.

I have heard rumour of a case where an individual in a midlands court successfully defended an action where he claimed he did not need a tcd license for a tv as he had no connecting equipment capable of receiving a signal and passing to his tv, which was used solely as a monitor. But I've no concrete evidence that this is true.

So, if you have a tv, my advice is get rid of it.

Fred Swanson · 19-06-2017 9:06pm

This post has been deleted.

naasrd · 19-06-2017 9:17pm

McHardcore wrote: »

So I have an update for you guys. Last week I received a letter from An Post in an post titled to "The Occupier".

It is titled "SEARCH WARRANT NOTICE".

"In such circumstances such as those where an Inspector has grounds to believe that there is an unlicensed television set / apparatus on the premises he/she is authorised to obtain a Search Warrant to assist his/her enquiries under Schedule 2 Section 8-1 of the Broadcasting Act 2009*........"

The above is just waffle, bin it. Badly written waffle too.

naasrd · 19-06-2017 9:20pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Proves nothing. Try using the voting register as proof of address, indeed try voting with just polling card.

Fred Swanson · 19-06-2017 9:21pm

This post has been deleted.

styo · 19-06-2017 9:49pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

That sounds like the case I was told about. Its interesting because the advice provided by government on the legislation, and the advice provided to me by an post, is that if the set was sold as a tv, and sold capable of receiving the signal, then it must be licensed even if the set has been modified to be incapable of receiving a signal, the rational being that it could be returned to its original state.

Clearly though, this case puts doubt on that interpretation.

Do you have any further details? It would I suggest be worth putting this case to the licensing authority for comment. It either renders the position of the licensing authority incorrect, or its subject to appeal etc.

Fred Swanson · 19-06-2017 10:35pm

This post has been deleted.

westcork67 · 15-09-2017 2:58pm

Moved into a house and did not pay TV licence for the last couple of years - I have decided to regularise this and start paying but do not want to have to pay for the previous couple of years - if I go through the online process using first time purchase do they look back at previous years or are they just happy to get the money from me for this year and going forward

Elmo · 15-09-2017 3:02pm

Sorry wrong thread

ps200306 · 15-09-2017 3:10pm

westcork67 wrote: »

Moved into a house and did not pay TV licence for the last couple of years - I have decided to regularise this and start paying but do not want to have to pay for the previous couple of years - if I go through the online process using first time purchase do they look back at previous years or are they just happy to get the money from me for this year and going forward

If you do a "first time purchase" you are telling them that you didn't have a TV previously. They have no reason or evidence on which to question this if you haven't had any visits from a license inspector. When I bought my first time license (in a physical post office) nobody asked "and what about previous years" ... though the post master did say to me in a sly voice that there was no going back once they had your address, as if to suggest I should consider being a dodger.

gzckrg · 25-10-2017 9:02am

Hi all,

I had a letter (kind of a postcard actually) from tv licence inspector. It looks like a standard letter saying that they tried to visit me but they couldn't. I think TV set/satellite dish is observed box is marked on the letter. I am not sure about that because he marked a small sign below the box but not on the box. Also the letter was addressed to previous tenant, not to me but it's my address.

I live in an apartment at 4th floor and there is no antenna or anything in the balcony. I don't have any TV. There is only an NTL box on the wall. Not sure what it's for but it has two connections written TV and FM.

So my question is: should i reply them back saying i don't have any tv set, or do nothing since the letter is not under my name? Or do i actually need to pay tv licence fee?

thanks,

Fred Swanson · 25-10-2017 12:47pm

This post has been deleted.

gzckrg · 25-10-2017 12:52pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

it was just a plain post card with the information written on it. I didn't open anything.

TV Licence - ALL TV licence discussion/queries in this thread.

Comments