TV License

leedsfan88

Hey i've just got an notice of legal proceedings about my TV License,

My TV License is in date until August 2010, and i just rang them up and they said they made a mistake and i need to purchase one, or else face a day in court.

The License was purchased September 2009 and valid until August 2010.

What can i do? Can they make me pay to fine even tho its in date?

sexdwarf

This doesn't make any sense. How can it be out of date if you bought it in September '09?

leedsfan88

I don't know that's what i said, but the license name has changed from my mother to me since the last license

biko

AH -> Consumer Issues.

sexdwarf

The TV licence covers the house though so it shouldn't matter whose name it's in. If you're living in a house with a valid in-date TV licence I can't see how they can take any kind of legal action against you.

NuMarvel

Did they say what mistake they made? E.g. did they somehow give you a licence without making you pay?

The only thing I can think of is that you are paying by direct debit and for whatever reasons the direct debits haven't gone through to them.

Wazdakka

It's all part of a new field of research in TV licence collection.

It's called a Quantum licence.
Your TV licence can be both in and out of date at exactly the same time.

It's all very exciting but it has of course made fee collection a bit tricky,
That is why there are now Quantum licence inspecters...

They have a really spiffy uniform and theire job is to issue fines to people who's licence might be in date at the same time as having obviously expired,

I think all this info was published under the famous government funded science paper, "I can't believe they're paying for this crap... Lets see what we can get away with"

syklops

Talk to a lawyer but it sounds like a cock up on their side. I would say go to court and have the lawyer take them apart.

Feck them.

NuMarvel

Wazdakka wrote: »

It's all part of a new field of research in TV licence collection.

It's called a Quantum licence.
Your TV licence can be both in and out of date at exactly the same time.

It's all very exciting but it has of course made fee collection a bit tricky,
That is why there are now Quantum licence inspecters...

They have a really spiffy uniform and theire job is to issue fines to people who's licence might be in date at the same time as having obviously expired,

I think all this info was published under the famous government funded science paper, "I can't believe they're paying for this crap... Lets see what we can get away with"

That's what we get for voting Mr Schroedinger in as a TD

OP - Is the address on the TV licence the same as where you're living?

sexdwarf

OP is it a summons you got or a 'last warning' big red letter? If its not a summons I'd go down to the local post office with my valid licence and the letter and ask their advice. If it is a summons you'll still have to go to court but just bring your licence with you and tell them that you're clearly covered for the year.

Cabaal

Ifb you have a license in date don't go buying a new one, what I would do is record the next call you make where they suggest you do then I'd leave it go to court and produce the valid license and the recording.

The recording showed you made them aware of the issue but they failed to resolve it and wasted the courts time bringing it to court, I'd then seek costs for a lost day of work as well as transport as you had to go to court.

sexdwarf

NuMarvel wrote: »

That's what we get for voting Mr Schroedinger in as a TD

Lol!

Xcellor

It's because they have heard all the excuses and none of them work. Duh...

Fey!

If you let the license lapse and then renewed, they backdate it to whenever you let it lapse, despite not being able to prove whether or not you had a TV for that period.

ie. License from Jan 2006 to December 2006. Renew in June 2007 to May 2008.

They then send you out a letter saying that your new license, despite the date on it, is only good to December 2007.

Aroun March 2008 you start getting threatening letters from them, saying that you have no license and owe fines.

You renew in June 2008 to May 2009.

Another letter arrives telling you that your new license expires in December 2008, despite the date on it.

And so on...

seagull

They'd get a letter stating I had no TV between the expiry and the renewal, and it's up to them to prove otherwise. If they are unable to prove it, I'm sticking with the original expiry date.

calex71

Fey! wrote: »

If you let the license lapse and then renewed, they backdate it to whenever you let it lapse, despite not being able to prove whether or not you had a TV for that period.

ie. License from Jan 2006 to December 2006. Renew in June 2007 to May 2008.

They then send you out a letter saying that your new license, despite the date on it, is only good to December 2007.

Aroun March 2008 you start getting threatening letters from them, saying that you have no license and owe fines.

You renew in June 2008 to May 2009.

Another letter arrives telling you that your new license expires in December 2008, despite the date on it.

And so on...

That's incorrect, at least in my case. I let mine lapse last year in may and it was October by the time I got around to renewing it, the license still says May 2009 to May 2010

txt_mess

calex71 wrote: »

That's incorrect, at least in my case. I let mine lapse last year in may and it was October by the time I got around to renewing it, the license still says May 2009 to May 2010

Yep that what I got the renewal on my licence was from the date it expired. What the post office person told me at the time was to switch the licence to my wife's name and then it would be issue from the date bought instead of back dated to the expiry. Didn't at the time as my wife wasn't there and not a fan of forgery of signatures.

faceman

Presuming the address on your license is the address for where the legal proceedings was issued to, reply in writing to the relevent body detailing you have a license. evne if it does go to court, you are covered because you have a license. Nothing to sweat about.

cojomo2

can they send a summons to an address, without knowing the name of the occupier?



Also, if they catch you for not having a license can they charge you 3 years back (assuming that address has no record of having a license for the previous 3 years) even if you have a lease showing you only moved in 3-4 weeks ago?

Thanks

leedsfan88

i have the license, its in date so my attitude now is feck them and their letter i'll pop into citizens advice on Friday and asked them

Shelflife

leedsfan88 wrote: »

i have the license, its in date so my attitude now is feck them and their letter i'll pop into citizens advice on Friday and asked them

Op does the licence have your address on it .ie the same address that you are living in at the moment?

Fey!

calex71 wrote: »

That's incorrect, at least in my case. I let mine lapse last year in may and it was October by the time I got around to renewing it, the license still says May 2009 to May 2010

txt_mess wrote: »

Yep that what I got the renewal on my licence was from the date it expired. What the post office person told me at the time was to switch the licence to my wife's name and then it would be issue from the date bought instead of back dated to the expiry. Didn't at the time as my wife wasn't there and not a fan of forgery of signatures.

Obviouly both of your experiences have differed to mine.

leedsfan88

Shelflife wrote: »

Op does the licence have your address on it .ie the same address that you are living in at the moment?

Yeah the same address

anotherlostie

leedsfan88 wrote: »

Hey i've just got an notice of legal proceedings about my TV License,

My TV License is in date until August 2010, and i just rang them up and they said they made a mistake and i need to purchase one, or else face a day in court.

The License was purchased September 2009 and valid until August 2010.

What can i do? Can they make me pay to fine even tho its in date?

I think you need to ring again and if you get the same answer, ask to speak to their supervisor. What they said to you makes no sense, tbh.

jimoc

I'm afraid having a valid up to date TV licence will not save you.

After all, as the man says :
'We've heard all the excuses, and none of them work'

leedsfan88

jimoc wrote: »

I'm afraid having a valid up to date TV licence will not save you.

After all, as the man says :
'We've heard all the excuses, and none of them work'

ha ha

anotherlostie

jimoc wrote: »

I'm afraid having a valid up to date TV licence will not save you.

After all, as the man says :
'We've heard all the excuses, and none of them work'

Might have been funny if someone else hadn't got there 10hrs before you.;)

jimoc

anotherlostie wrote: »

Might have been funny if someone else hadn't got there 10hrs before you.;)

Thats what my wife meant when she said I was slow!!!

wmpdd3

calex71 wrote: »

That's incorrect, at least in my case. I let mine lapse last year in may and it was October by the time I got around to renewing it, the license still says May 2009 to May 2010

I was late buying mine, it was up in August,but I didn't buy it until Dec and I as delighted to see the new one said valid till Dec 2009 but a few weeks later i got a letter saying that their records showed that my liecence is only valid until August.

This has to be the issue, I agree it's confusing but it's clear the post office isn't hooked up the TV section in real time.

Strange you didn't get the almost daily reminders though when they thought your liecence was up.

Shelflife

wmpdd3 wrote: »

I was late buying mine, it was up in August,but I didn't buy it until Dec and I as delighted to see the new one said valid till Dec 2009 but a few weeks later i got a letter saying that their records showed that my liecence is only valid until August.

This has to be the issue, I agree it's confusing but it's clear the post office isn't hooked up the TV section in real time.

Strange you didn't get the almost daily reminders though when they thought your liecence was up.

I would say that maybe you didnt use the renewal form and just bought a new licence?
if the renewal letter is scanned in the PO then it backdates it automatically.

Cabaal

Shelflife wrote: »

I would say that maybe you didnt use the renewal form and just bought a new licence?
if the renewal letter is scanned in the PO then it backdates it automatically.

This especially applys if its under the same name as the previous license as well,
next time perhaps use a new name

SJWicklow

Well you should have your actual TV license somewhere with the dates on it. Alternatively, find out how you paid for it? Did you use a credit card? You should have some bank statement or something somewhere to confirm payment.

dxhound2005

seagull wrote: »

They'd get a letter stating I had no TV between the expiry and the renewal, and it's up to them to prove otherwise. If they are unable to prove it, I'm sticking with the original expiry date.

If you were brought to court and asked under oath if what you said in the letter was true what would you answer?

deelite

leedsfan88 wrote: »

I don't know that's what i said, but the license name has changed from my mother to me since the last license

Did your mum get a Free TV Licence under the Social Welfare?

Del2005

dxhound2005 wrote: »

If you were brought to court and asked under oath if what you said in the letter was true what would you answer?

Why should it be up to them to prove what they had? It's An Post who are prosecuting so they should have to provide proof the they had a TV not the other way around.

Even if they did lie under oath, the only way they could be caught out is if An Post provided evidence that they did have a device capable of receiving a TV signal. How are An Post supposed to get that?

deelite

Del2005 wrote: »

Why should it be up to them to prove what they had? It's An Post who are prosecuting so they should have to provide proof the they had a TV not the other way around.

Even if they did lie under oath, the only way they could be caught out is if An Post provided evidence that they did have a device capable of receiving a TV signal. How are An Post supposed to get that?

We were living in our house for about 3 years or so with no licence - anyway the tv broke down and we hadn't a pot to pee in - so him indoors went down to the ESB shop (I know there all closed now) and got an interest free tv on the bill - which was heaven. Anyway about eight weeks later the man knocked looking for the licence. I've always had an inkling that An Post were able to get hold of records of who was buying a tv and were then able to look up on a system whether or not a licence was held there.

dxhound2005

Del2005 wrote: »

Why should it be up to them to prove what they had? It's An Post who are prosecuting so they should have to provide proof the they had a TV not the other way around.

Even if they did lie under oath, the only way they could be caught out is if An Post provided evidence that they did have a device capable of receiving a TV signal. How are An Post supposed to get that?

So now we have licence evasion, making a false declaration in writing and perjury. Courts of law are serious places and I would advise the OP not to follow this course of action.

aidan_walsh

Cabaal wrote: »

Ifb you have a license in date don't go buying a new one, what I would do is record the next call you make where they suggest you do then I'd leave it go to court and produce the valid license and the recording.

The recording showed you made them aware of the issue but they failed to resolve it and wasted the courts time bringing it to court, I'd then seek costs for a lost day of work as well as transport as you had to go to court.

IANAL but IIRC you have to advise them that you are recording the call if you are looking to use it in court, and they are within their rights to ask you to stop.

Cabaal

aidan_walsh wrote: »

IANAL but IIRC you have to advise them that you are recording the call if you are looking to use it in court, and they are within their rights to ask you to stop.

Yes by right you do have to inform them alright,

foggy_lad

We were living in our house for about 3 years or so with no licence - anyway the tv broke down and we hadn't a pot to pee in - so him indoors went down to the ESB shop (I know there all closed now) and got an interest free tv on the bill - which was heaven. Anyway about eight weeks later the man knocked looking for the licence. I've always had an inkling that An Post were able to get hold of records of who was buying a tv and were then able to look up on a system whether or not a licence was held there.

by law if you are a retailer selling the equipment that a license is required for you are obliged to provide the licensing authority with lists of your customers, all tv shops must send lists of addressess of anyone that buys a tv or vcr or other receiving equipment covered by the licensing laws

MunsterCycling

Cabaal wrote: »

Yes by right you do have to inform them alright,

Just say it so quickly at the beginning of the call like most CSRs and then you are covered.

@ foggy_lad: Just don't give them a real address, warrenty is through the receipt anyway

jimoc

foggy_lad wrote: »

by law if you are a retailer selling the equipment that a license is required for you are obliged to provide the licensing authority with lists of your customers, all tv shops must send lists of addressess of anyone that buys a tv or vcr or other receiving equipment covered by the licensing laws

So how does a retailer do this if someone refuses to give their name and address?

Curry's would use the 'its for your guarantee' excuse to get your name and address rather then telling you it was to pass to the licensing authority but my answer would always be 'my receipt is the guarantee, I'm not giving you my name and address'

Neil_Sedaka

I've often toyed with the idea of writing to them and telling them that I simply can't afford to renew my licence. Then ask them what I should do? Should I arrange to have a neighbour or relative mind my tv until I can renew the licence? Should I sell the tv etc?

Never did it though

Our man in Havana

Never give them a real name.

In the UK I always give them Gerry Adams, 1 Falls Road, Belfast.

alex73

leedsfan88 wrote: »

Hey i've just got an notice of legal proceedings about my TV License,

My TV License is in date until August 2010, and i just rang them up and they said they made a mistake and i need to purchase one, or else face a day in court.

The License was purchased September 2009 and valid until August 2010.

What can i do? Can they make me pay to fine even tho its in date?

??/??? TV licences run from Jan to Dec. If you buy in August it expired in Dec. .... you have to buy a new one for each calendar year.

Our man in Havana

Your wrong!

They run for until the end of the 11th month after the month of issue.

foggy_lad

MunsterCycling wrote: »

@ foggy_lad: Just don't give them a real address, warrenty is through the receipt anyway

when something goes wrong the shop will refuse to deal with you as you will not be the original purchaser and therefore will not have any statutory rights, many manufacturers also have a clause where they will only deal with the original purchaser for warrenty issues.

as for refusing to give a name and address afaik the shop must refuse to sell to you unless they get your name and address, they must provide details for every tv/vcr sold and saying it is for warrenty purposes is only to soften the blow as if they said it was to inform the licensing authority people would not shop there again:)

easiest way out of it is to buy/get a free tv off adverts:D

deelite

foggy_lad wrote: »

by law if you are a retailer selling the equipment that a license is required for you are obliged to provide the licensing authority with lists of your customers, all tv shops must send lists of addressess of anyone that buys a tv or vcr or other receiving equipment covered by the licensing laws

I vaguely remember a case a few years back involving Cablelink (NTL now) and they were not allowed to give names / addresses of customers....however I'm not sure what the case is now.

syklops

deelite wrote: »

I vaguely remember a case a few years back involving Cablelink (NTL now) and they were not allowed to give names / addresses of customers....however I'm not sure what the case is now.

I had a television in the house in Dublin that I used for DVDs for about 5 years and no license. Upgraded the telly and got in NTL(and bought a license). 2 weeks after the NTL was installed I got a document from An Post asking me to declare whether or not I had a television, and a license inspector called round to the house twice. I missed him the first time, the second time I was in and showed him the license and he went away.

I think An Post put the squeeze on NTL a few years ago.

I'd love to sign up for a cable connection and not have a television and wait to be fined and then sue both NTL for giving out my details, and An Post for wrongful doing.

91011

leedsfan88 wrote: »

Hey i've just got an notice of legal proceedings about my TV License,

My TV License is in date until August 2010, and i just rang them up and they said they made a mistake and i need to purchase one, or else face a day in court.

The License was purchased September 2009 and valid until August 2010.

What can i do? Can they make me pay to fine even tho its in date?

Back to the OP - you got notice of legal proceedings - not a summons.

These notices are sent out like confetti at a wedding.

You rang them and they accepted that there was a mistake. Probably best to write to them with the licence number and that will be the end of it.

dxhound2005

Over on the Satellite forums if you were even to hint at ways and means to avoid paying for Sky, Setanta etc you would be told you were stealing and could be banned. Here it seems OK to suggest ways and means to evade paying your TV licence. This is not aimed at the OP btw.