Tv licence - i dont own a tv..

Musicman2006

I live on the top floor of an apartment complex and have been getting a rake of highly threatening letters from an post telling me why I MUST have a tv licence ...... Only thing is - i dont own a tv.

Should i let them take me to court and wait until the end of a lengthy trial before the judge asks for my closing statement, to which ill reply "yes, just one minor point....i dont own a fvcking tv!"?

Cill Dara Abu

Whats all you're furniture pointed at?

Musicman2006

The wall..

The Internet Explorer

That's fairly sickening to be honest.

Same as all bills, ignore them until they send the red ones.*


*Probably bad advice

Morag

Doesn't matter if you have a pc/mac/smart phone then you can watch rte programming off the website and so you have to have a tv licence.

seanybiker

Anything that can receive transmission is counted I think. Do you have a radio?

MrStuffins

Do you own a radio? if so, you need a tv license.

In fact, come to think of it, you can receive FM radio on your phone. So you probably need a TV license for that too!

Chris P. Bacon

TV licence fella knocked at my friends door a while back,he said "have you a licence for the telly" my friend says "i dont have a telly","oh you dont,well why is there an aerial on your roof",to which my friend replied,"just because i have milk in the fridge it doesnt mean i have a cow out the back",and closed the door in his face.

Musicman2006

ronoc wrote: »

Same as all bills, ignore them until they send the red ones.*


*Probably bad advice

Even when i get a red one - what should i do? Just buy a licence for a tv i dont have?!

coolmoose

Sharrow wrote: »

Doesn't matter if you have a pc/mac/smart phone then you can watch rte programming off the website and so you have to have a tv licence.

This is not correct.

You do not require a television licence to watch television on your computer or mobile phone. However, you do require a licence if the computer is used together with any other apparatus to receive a signal.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/media/tv_licences.html

EDIT: Pretty sure the need for a licence for a radio set was abolished (it was, 1972), only the TV licence remains.

flutterflye

Nah, that's ridiculous..
I wouldn't get one in your position.
There again, I can live with the shame, can you?

TheZohanS

Musicman2006 wrote: »

Even when i get a red one - what should i do? Just buy a licence for a tv i dont have?!

Fill out the declaration on the form stating that you don't have a TV. That's it, no drama.

ted1

You say you don't own one, is their one in the apartment.

MrStuffins

Musicman2006 wrote: »

I live on the top floor of an apartment complex and have been getting a rake of highly threatening letters from an post telling me why I MUST have a tv licence ...... Only thing is - i dont own a tv.

Should i let them take me to court and wait until the end of a lengthy trial before the judge asks for my closing statement, to which ill reply "yes, just one minor point....i dont own a fvcking tv!"?

To answer your question, let them chase you as much as they like, then in the end just tell them "I DON'T OWN A F*CKING TV!!!"

2 Miles From Narnia

I'm the same, no TV and get regular letters about the licence. I take offence to their assumption of guilt, and the tone of the letters. I ignore them all, as I'm not doing anything wrong and I don't feel that there should be an onus on me to prove my lack of a possession just because I'm in a statistical minority.

emanresu

Sharrow wrote: »

Doesn't matter if you have a pc/mac/smart phone then you can watch rte programming off the website and so you have to have a tv licence.

No, You only need a TV licence for a computer if it has a TV tuner. You do not need a licence to watch TV programmes on the internet.

seanybiker wrote: »

Anything that can receive transmission is counted I think. Do you have a radio?

No, You do not need a licence for a radio.

Greentopia

MrStuffins wrote: »

Do you own a radio? if so, you need a tv license.

Really?? I had the TV inspector guy call to my door last year and he asked if I have a licence, I told him no and he never asked if I have a radio or PC.
I told him he could come in and look around if he liked as I had nothing to hide-I really don't have a TV-and he declined and went on his way.

Do you have any source for your claim to need a licence for a radio? I'd be interested to read it. Not being smart assed-I really would

Greentopia

emanresu wrote: »

No, You only need a TV licence for a computer if it has a TV tuner. You do not need a licence to watch TV programmes on the internet.



No, You do not need a licence for a radio.

Now see that's what I thought too! why would you need a TV licence for something that has no TV tuner.

Temptamperu

But you have either a laptop or a pc or a smartphone that can get RTE.ie and the player or the radio channels.

Sorry dude your fecked.

Bullseye1

Next up will be having to buy a license for each tv.

MrStuffins

Greentopia wrote: »

Really?? I had the TV inspector guy call to my door last year and he asked if I have a licence, I told him no and he never asked if I have a radio or PC.
I told him he could come in and look around if he liked as I had nothing to hide-I really don't have a TV-and he declined and went on his way.

Do you have any source for your claim to need a licence for a radio? I'd be interested to read it. Not being smart assed-I really would

Nope. I always just presumed you needed one but reading the link on the last page from Citizen Information it's apparent that one isn't required for a radio.

Greentopia

Temptamperu wrote: »

But you have either a laptop or a pc or a smartphone that can get RTE.ie and the player or the radio channels.

Sorry dude your fecked.

No, I checked it out on citizensinformation.ie and it states:

"You do not require a television licence to watch television on your computer or mobile phone. However, you do require a licence if the computer is used together with any other apparatus to receive a signal."

Now quite what they mean by 'any other apparatus' is not clear but I assume they mean an aerial.

I have no aerial on my phone or laptop (:D) so therefore presumedly the OP, like myself, need no licence so he's in the clear.

paddyandy

It's ten years since i bought a tv license and i was getting reminders for a while after the last one expired.I've had no tv for quite a long time BUT I WAS STILL GETTING reminders.I wrote a letter telling them what i thought of tv and invited them to pay me a visit at any time..."i will not hesitate to let you in but you will not find a tv in my home" which is true.Those letters are very rare now and i wont refuse them entry.I detest tv to put it very mildly.Nothing in history has done anything remotely like the damage the tv has done.They have'nt got the staff in dublin and they yelp a bit but people have been taken to court.Let the frs in if they have proper I.D.I would imagine they will have instruments to identify you and what station you're watching.Their Office is very close to Cleary's in O'Connell st dublin.I get sky live free on the net plus rte player for the few items i'd watch.I have enough nonsense on the net do i need more?

Daithi 1

You dont need a license. Any information you give them is completely voulentary. MUST is a derivitave of MAY.

You might use your tv for dvd's only, computer games etc.

You are not obliged to answer any questions they have.

You CAN charge them admistration fee's for taking up your time. Say 100 euro for any letters recieved.

See this video and search "tv license inspector" on youtube for more...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPwNgIsH9BA

UnkieKev

Temptamperu wrote: »

But you have either a laptop or a pc or a smartphone that can get RTE.ie and the player or the radio channels.

Sorry dude your fecked.

eeeeeeeeh no?

he still doesn't own a television, PC's can not receive television signal, nor smart phone (except the cheap china iPhone Tv's)

Greentopia

MrStuffins wrote: »

Nope. I always just presumed you needed one but reading the link on the last page from Citizen Information it's apparent that one isn't required for a radio.

Hah, I just checked that site out too. Seems I'm definitely within the law too so.

starbelgrade

You're missing out OP.

My Left Foot is on RTE 1 now. And Telly Bingo will be on later.

MrStuffins

Daithi 1 wrote: »

You might use your tv for dvd's only, computer games etc.

You still need a licence as you own a device capable of receiving a signal.

Cill Dara Abu

MrStuffins wrote: »

You still need a licence as you own a device capable of receiving a signal.

Even a mobile phone?

emanresu

Greentopia wrote: »

No, I checked it out on citizensinformation.ie and it states:

"You do not require a television licence to watch television on your computer or mobile phone. However, you do require a licence if the computer is used together with any other apparatus to receive a signal."

Now quite what they mean by 'any other apparatus' is not clear but I assume they mean an aerial.
...

A television tuner, which is a circuit board that can be fitted into one of the slots inside a computer.

Daithi 1

MrStuffins wrote: »

You still need a licence as you own a device capable of receiving a signal.

Thats what they'd have you believe. There is no law requiring a license for owning a tv

MrStuffins

Cill Dara Abu wrote: »

Even a mobile phone?

Haven't you been reading the thread? This has been covered

If your household, business or institution possesses a television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal, you are required by law to have a television licence. Even if the television or other equipment is broken and currently unable to receive a signal, it is regarded as capable of being repaired so it can receive a signal and you must hold a licence for it.

You do not require a television licence to watch television on your computer or mobile phone. However, you do require a licence if the computer is used together with any other apparatus to receive a signal.

starbelgrade

MrStuffins wrote: »

To answer your question, let them chase you as much as they like, then in the end just tell them "I DON'T OWN A F*CKING TV!!!"

But they've heard all the excuses.

MrStuffins

Daithi 1 wrote: »

Thats what they'd have you believe. There is no law requiring a license for owning a tv

The Broadcasting Act 2009 says otherwise

Daithi 1

MrStuffins wrote: »

Haven't you been reading the thread? This has been covered

How would they know you have a broken tv in the attic ?

You could tell them....

Completely voulentary.

PseudoFamous

Daithi 1 wrote: »

You CAN charge them admistration fee's for taking up your time. Say 100 euro for any letters recieved.

How would one go about doing this?

Daithi 1

PseudoFamous wrote: »

How would one go about doing this?

A letter, stating any further corrosponsance will relust in charge of 100 euro charge for any letter that comes through your business box.

(letterbox to the layman ) :P

MrStuffins

Daithi 1 wrote: »

How would they know you have a broken tv in the attic ?

You could tell them....

Completely voulentary.

This isn't the point! If it's illegal for me to have Cocaine in my house and I don't tell the police I have it when they knock on my door, it doesn't mean i'm not breaking the law!

Daithi 1

MrStuffins wrote: »

This isn't the point! If it's illegal for me to have Cocaine in my house and I don't tell the police I have it when they knock on my door, it doesn't mean i'm not breaking the law!

Well no. If the police suspect you of having coke in your house they can get a warrent to search.
Same doesnt apply to TV inspector.

MrStuffins

Daithi 1 wrote: »

Well no. If the police suspect you of having coke in your house they can get a warrent to search.
Same doesnt apply to TV inspector.

What has that got to do with anything? You continue to miss my point!

Just because you're not required to tell them about your TV in your attic, doesn't mean you don't, BY LAW, need a TV licence!

Cill Dara Abu

MrStuffins wrote: »

Haven't you been reading the thread? This has been covered

Sorry miss

MrStuffins

Cill Dara Abu wrote: »

Sorry miss

BOLD!

Daithi 1

MrStuffins wrote: »

What has that got to do with anything? You continue to miss my point!

Just because you're not required to tell them about your TV in your attic, doesn't mean you don't, BY LAW, need a TV licence!

And you miss my point.

Who'd be f*ckin eejit enough to but a license for a broken tv in the attic ?

Say nothing, pay nothing.

Do what ya like Stuffins :pac:

Daithi 1

It's a law of conscious :pac:

Daithi 1

I am charged 500 euro. I dont wanna pay. The only way i must pay is if I voulentarily admit I should pay. lol

Do the math :pac:

ringadingding

Daithi 1 wrote: »

You dont need a license. Any information you give them is completely voulentary. MUST is a derivitave of MAY.

You might use your tv for dvd's only, computer games etc.

You are not obliged to answer any questions they have.

You CAN charge them admistration fee's for taking up your time. Say 100 euro for any letters recieved.

See this video and search "tv license inspector" on youtube for more...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPwNgIsH9BA

The guy in the Video is a prick IMO

Compton

ringadingding wrote: »

The guy in the Video is a prick IMO

the police are pricks IMO. shouldn't she be catching criminals?

police time management:

Donut Eating: 30%
General timewasting/slouching around: 40%
Annoying citizens: 25%
Dealing with crime: 5%

Daithi 1

ringadingding wrote: »

The guy in the Video is a prick IMO

Agreed, he probably didnt expect a complete noob. Theyre not usually so timid.

Still, point being. He has rights. She would have ripped apart someone who didnt know their rights.

Poor girl tho, bet she's a bit tougher now.

Cill Dara Abu

shblob wrote: »

the police are pricks IMO. shouldn't she be catching criminals?

She wouldn't catch much i'd say, she's like a frightened mouse in that video, she should have stood up to that overbearing wanker.

Daithi 1

shblob wrote: »

the police are pricks IMO. shouldn't she be catching criminals?

police time management:

Donut Eating: 30%
General timewasting/slouching around: 40%
Annoying citizens: 25%
Dealing with crime: 5%

This better explains the point.. VOULENTRY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlzIrJNyTec