Not paying tv license

LegacyUser

A few months ago I moved into a house share. The lady that left transferred the bills that was in her name to my name. I didn't know she did this until the new year when I got the yearly bin calender and it was addressed to me. It seemed fair though.

My problem is that the tv license was in her name. Its due to be paid again in june so i dont know if she transferred it to my name. If you can even do that with a tv a license? Anyway I dont mind as its something that has to be paid.

My real problem is my housemate. She has already said it a few times that she wont be paying it this year. Her hours have been cut and the money is tight. But if the tv license is in my name, dont they continue to send you letters eventually threathening to bring you to court. I dont want this and I shouldn't be the one to pay for it because she can't afford it.

What do I do I do or say to her? Or should I move out and transfer it to her name and she can get the letters?

petethebrick

A TV license can be used for any address so I'm sure the previous tenant simply took it with her and registered it at her new address. So there is probably no TV license at your address.
No need to do anything until you get a letter, visit etc
Once you do you can decide to pay the license yourself and prohibit your housemate from using the TV or get rid of the TV.
But emphasis to your flatmate that if they want to use the TV at any time they must contribute to the licence

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

seamus

If the TV belongs to the landlord then tell the other housemate that you're going to tell the landlord to remove the TV since you no longer need it and don't want to pay a TV licence.

If she says that she wants the TV, tell her she has to pay her half of the licence or the TV's gone.

If it's your TV, then pay the licence and move it into your bedroom.

Neyite

You can download a direct debit form from An Post website - that way you pay something like 13.30 a month out of your bank - surely your flatmate can afford half of that - its cheaper than a pack of fags or a bottle of wine a month.

Look, I rarely watch the Irish channels, and it does bug me that the licence is such a rip off, but at 13 euro a month its better to swallow than a big €160 bill.

LighterGuy

Awkward situation....

first off, it needs to be paid. yes its a totally ridiculous tax we have to pay that goes solely to RTE :rolleyes: ... thing is tho. TV License inspectors are always on the hunt to do people. And a sudden tv license not being paid for this year just automatically puts a red flag on the house/flat etc :rolleyes:

Lets be honest too, if you paid for it entirely your flat mate would be watching tv. So its not on for you to pay it entirely.

Neyite said it best. a direct debit plan. She cant turn around and say she cant afford it. If she tries to keep up a stink just throw the facts at her... if it doesnt get paid and a tv is used you WILL be fined by tv inspectors at some point.

gubbie

I say get rid of the tv and if you're worried about having nothing to watch and you have a laptop you can always get an internet dongle for about €10-€20 a month

Poor Craythur

Make her pay up, OP. She uses it, she pays for it.

ABajaninCork

I'm on SW, have a TV, and pay the licence fee.

What I do is this: Every two weeks, I get two TV stamps (E4 each), stick them in my little book, and pay for the licence that way.

Why don't you suggest the same thing to your flatmate? Failing that, get rid of the set, and watch telly on the internet!

Belle_247

Just came across your thread and wondering what the result was? I'm in the same boat kind of, our license was due for renewal end of march and we haven't paid it, we've gotten 3 letters and I don't see us getting away with it, our lease is up end of september so even if we did, the tenants next year aren't going to pay our overdue tv license. My housemate is having none of it since the letters are addressed to the landlady who we've never met as we deal with an estate agent. I thought we could say we never opened the letters etc. but it says An Post/TV license on the envelope so don't know if that's going to wash. I'm just afraid we'll get a summons or something for non-payment and to this my housemate insists it's in her name so it's fine! It's driving me mad that I'm contemplating paying the whole thing and saying nothing since I figure 160e is better than a 1000e fine!

Taltos

From our Charter - please read it before posting in PI/RI as these forums are tightly moderated.

Dragging up old threads is a no no and we will close them.

Gave you your own thread here.