Tv License Bull****

Moojuice

Just got a letter in the post demanding that I fill out a form declaring that I either have or do not have a TV license at the premises and if there is an Ariel or cable connection. I broke up with my girl friend back in may and the letter is addressed to her. This is where it gets complicated:

* She moved home straight away
* We signed a lease for the first year we were there but have not signed a new lease
* The license is in her name
* I am planning to move out in the next month or two
* The license expired at the end of June.


There is no way I am paying 152 squid for a license for the few weeks that I remain in the apartment, as I will then be expected to pay for one ion the new place. Also if I pay it what’s to stop them sending out another of these letters a year from now when I am not there? It will not be signed and sent in so does this mean that I could be prosecuted?

I don't know what to do. I cannot afford to pay for a TV license at the moment, never mind that it is only for the next few weeks. All I can think of doing is filling it out claiming there is no TV there and hoping an inspector does not call around before I leave. The license is in my Ex's name, if it was in mine I would do that but I don’t want to cause legal trouble for her.

I hate the ******s, I wish we had never got a TV license as once you are on the system there is no escape. Anyone ever got one of these Statutory Declaration letters before?

ixoy

The license can be transferred to the new address. It does seem that you have to pay for it though.

Jesus Wept

Biggest mistake I ever made (well not literally) was giving my name to the licence guy who knocked on the door.

Cheeky fúcker asked my name before even telling me what he was there about (and for some reason, I gave to him, I was a bit distracted that day).

egan007

All you have to do is tell them you are moving out and they will note that on the system

Mossy Monk

Get rid of your tv. Problem solved!!!

Moojuice

egan007 wrote:

All you have to do is tell them you are moving out and they will note that on the system

Good idea but the license was up at the end of June. Are they that understanding?

Hey Rigger what happened when you gave him your name?

BeardyGit

Pack up the TV and leave it with a friend who has a license....or your folks. Then, move into the new place and pay the license there instead.

ixoy

Gil_Dub wrote:

Pack up the TV and leave it with a friend who has a license....or your folks. Then, move into the new place and pay the license there instead.

Or avoid that hassle and get it now and change the address. From RTE's website:

What if I move house?
Let An Post know your new address so that your TV licence can be transferred. If your address is not that which appears on the licence then you are deemed to be unlicensed and may be liable for prosecution.

BeardyGit

ixoy wrote:

Or avoid that hassle and get it now and change the address. From RTE's website:

Or read the OP's post where he states he can't afford a license now....

Loadedscream

you can pay it evenly over the course of the year at NO extra charge, this may be of some help....dont know why everybody doesnt do it to be honest....you need to setup a direct debit but they were very good at switching it when i moved out last time....didnt overcharge me or anything...here are the details:

linky

you can pay it Annually, Bi-annually, Quarterly or Monthly just fill in the mandate form.

Moojuice

good cal. Ill look into it. It might be a solution.

ixoy

Gil_Dub wrote:

Or read the OP's post where he states he can't afford a license now....

Well boards would be a lot less interesting if everyone read everything correctly and didn't make silly mistakes

Dodge

I don't think you can pay for your first one by DD.

I'm fairly certain we had to pay the first year upfront.

byte

Yeah, you could be right there, as the mandate does require a Licence Account Reference number, which you wouldn't have unless you already had a licence.

Jip

Moojuice wrote:

and if there is an Ariel or cable connection.

Tell them neither but that you much prefer the crisp summer smell of Surf instead.

Quigs Snr

The letter was addressed to your ex. Send it back with not known at this address !

Washout

i gave my name and ended up in court...i was unemployed for the time and decided i wouldnt get a licence till i got a job... got a job immediatly got a licence and two weeks later i had a summons.

i went along....i tells ya they should give popcorn at court as it is rather entertaining day... my case was stricken out of court along with 50% of the other ppl...as it was like 4pm on a friday and the judge wanted to get home.

seeing the judges reaction to cases before me i was so relaxed cause i knew i wouldnt have a fine.

i would return to sender the letter u have though as it isnt in your name.

RRoger

I also got the letter but the story is I don't have a telly at all (I don't need it, the internet news suits me better)

I said to myself it's obvious "don't have the TV - don't pay the license"
However after few letters I got another one in which I have to declare whether my premises are connected to the communal aerial system.
I think I have smth like this despite I don't want it and can't get rid of it (it's built in the walls)


I read a lot of answers from people claiming "Want to avoind paying TV license? Get rid of yer telly!"

I've nothing against paying it if you actually have it an use it, but how come I am obliged to pay for the fact my house is physically capable of receiving the TV signal???
I don't have a TV, I don't use it, why would I pay for nothing?

I'd normally send a letter back with three "No"s in it but from the other hand I don't want to end up with €638 fine for Christmas! Does anyone have any experience in it? Money isn't a big problem but it is against my personal view on it, it's like paying Motor Tax if you don't have a car....

godtabh

Dodge wrote: »

I don't think you can pay for your first one by DD.

I'm fairly certain we had to pay the first year upfront.

The OP has already had one but it ran out so not sure if that applies

Lump

Moojuice wrote: »

Just got a letter in the post demanding that I fill out a form declaring that I either have or do not have a TV license at the premises and if there is an Ariel or cable connection. I broke up with my girl friend back in may and the letter is addressed to her. This is where it gets complicated:

* She moved home straight away
* We signed a lease for the first year we were there but have not signed a new lease
* The license is in her name
* I am planning to move out in the next month or two
* The license expired at the end of June.


There is no way I am paying 152 squid for a license for the few weeks that I remain in the apartment, as I will then be expected to pay for one ion the new place. Also if I pay it what’s to stop them sending out another of these letters a year from now when I am not there? It will not be signed and sent in so does this mean that I could be prosecuted?

I don't know what to do. I cannot afford to pay for a TV license at the moment, never mind that it is only for the next few weeks. All I can think of doing is filling it out claiming there is no TV there and hoping an inspector does not call around before I leave. The license is in my Ex's name, if it was in mine I would do that but I don’t want to cause legal trouble for her.

I hate the ******s, I wish we had never got a TV license as once you are on the system there is no escape. Anyone ever got one of these Statutory Declaration letters before?

Maybe you should stop opening letters not addressed to you.

Tzetze

Check out the Television Licences Regulations 2005 in the Irish Statute Book.

It particularly states that;

“television licence” means a licence granted by the Minister under section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 ( No. 45 of 1926 ) to a person to keep and have possession of a television set (within the meaning of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1972 ) in a specified place in the State or in a specified vehicle, ship or aircraft.

Wireless Telegraphy Act 1972 wrote:

"television set" means any apparatus for wireless telegraphy designed primarily for the purpose of receiving and exhibiting television programmes broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction therewith) and any assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus

So it seems to cover anything capable of exhibiting television channels broadcast over the air, including computers with tv tuners (any assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus). If you don't have anything that can show broadcasted tv channels (as they are being broadcasted), you don't have to buy a licence.

The part in the OPs letter about an aerial or cable connected to the premises requiring a licence seems to be disputable. Neither can exhibit television images, and in the case of cable; that's necessary if you want a cable internet connection (and thus receive analog cable signals by default).

If I were you, and I definitely didn't have a tv set, I wouldn't pay it.

Mr E

Mad idea - pick up one of those new-fangled telemaphone doohickeys, AND ASK THEM!

RRoger

Mr E wrote: »

Mad idea - pick up one of those new-fangled telemaphone doohickeys, AND ASK THEM!

I wanted to do this in a first place but thought it's a bit like asking a car dealer is this car any good
They make money on it and I kinda predicted the "If I were u I'd pay it for the peace of mind" answer, but now I think it's silly - I'll give 'em a buzz tomorrow and let u guys know


@Tzetze: many thanks for the links and quotes, this clarifies a lot!
I guess the need of sending them a letter back with the aerial system questions is just their "aggresive marketing" so ppl get scared and pay it at last ("it's only 160, why should I bother?")

I know few ppl with no tellys driving new BMWs, I had it myself for a good while until it broke and I realised I don't actually miss it at all, and how incredible time waster it was! If I look for visual entertaiment I watch youtube vids on the web instead and if I want to see the match I go to the pub..I always hated watching the show with five 15mins ad breaks

Tzetze

Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 wrote:

the expression "wireless telegraphy" means and includes any system of communicating messages, spoken words, music, images, pictures, prints, or other communications, sounds, signs, or signals by means of radiated electro-magnetic waves originating in an apparatus or device constructed for the purpose of originating such communications, sounds, signs, or signals

the expression "apparatus for wireless telegraphy" means apparatus for sending and receiving or for sending only or for receiving only messages, spoken words, music, images, pictures, prints, or other communications, sounds, signs, or signals by wireless telegraphy and includes any part of such apparatus and any article primarily designed for use as part of such apparatus and not capable of being conveniently used for any other purpose

You may need to get the licence for your mobile phone!

RRoger

I rang them twice today and I got the autoreply "all the offices are extremaly busy at present. Please try again later"

I guess the Christmas mood is everywhere, will try contacting them next week

6th

You havent had a license since June and have been lucky to get away with it. Pay the license.

Saruman

Lump wrote: »

Maybe you should stop opening letters not addressed to you.

Was about to say just that

RRoger

RRoger wrote: »

I also got the letter but the story is I don't have a telly at all (I don't need it, the internet news suits me better)

I said to myself it's obvious "don't have the TV - don't pay the license"
However after few letters I got another one in which I have to declare whether my premises are connected to the communal aerial system.
I think I have smth like this despite I don't want it and can't get rid of it (it's built in the walls)


I read a lot of answers from people claiming "Want to avoind paying TV license? Get rid of yer telly!"

I've nothing against paying it if you actually have it an use it, but how come I am obliged to pay for the fact my house is physically capable of receiving the TV signal???
I don't have a TV, I don't use it, why would I pay for nothing?

I'd normally send a letter back with three "No"s in it but from the other hand I don't want to end up with €638 fine for Christmas! Does anyone have any experience in it? Money isn't a big problem but it is against my personal view on it, it's like paying Motor Tax if you don't have a car....

I remember an woman talking to Gerry Ryan about this a few years back. She had no television yet the house she was renting did have an aerial on the roof. She was ordered to get a licence for that reason alone - I think the landlord refused her request to have the aerial removed. As far as I remember she got a black and white licence to shut them up, though that's not an option anymore.

RRoger

I rang them today and was told no to worry about the letters (there was a note put on my address "no telly") so I shouldn't be bothered by An Post anymore
also about the TV License inspector, he may show up "some time at the year" to check what's the current status

Once I'll get the telly I have to pay the license right away (this is probably the most working solution for authorities, why not doing the check during the purchase and if someone doesn't have the license already, to put him on records and give him ie. 1 month to sort this out?)

oclugg

If somebody calls to your door and asks about a tv licence tell them you don't have a tv and close the door. You are not obliged to give any information out or let anyone in to your home. If they insist tell them you are bathing your baby son/daughter in the living room.

Padraig Mor

The letter was not addressed to you. Ignore it. They may eventually call to your door - then you can consider getting one.

Skinfull

Send the letter back marked "No longer at this address"
By the time they have gotten round to send out a new letter address to "The Occupant" or whomever you'll be gone. Feck it. dont make their job easy!