Paying for parent's TV licence?

Rynox45

I posted this over in broadcasting but I get the impression it would fit better here. Not looking for legal advice because y'know, boards, but I'm concerned about having to hire a solicitor because I'm a student and I'm just trying to put together enough money to move out.

I got a statutory declaration form from the TV Licence Record Office stating there's no record of a TV licence at my address. I've lived here for about 10 years with my parents (I'm 20) and they don't pay their TV licence. I'm not sure why I'm getting this letter now or at what point I became a "customer" of the TV licence.

As far as I can tell this is their way of trying to get money out of this household by coming after me. I phoned the local Licence Record Office to ask about it and without asking for my name or address I was told that it doesn't matter who owns the house, I live there so I have to fill in the form and return it. I was also helpfully told that there was no need to ask the homeowner for the TV licence details. Okay...

If I fill out the form truthfully I'll be admitting there's a TV here and no licence. The thing is, it isn't my house and I don't own any of the TVs. If I fill out this form truthfully am I going to end up being fined for not having a TV licence? I've done enough research to know that I've never purchased or owned anything that requires a TV licence.

Basically what I want to know is this; if I truthfully fill out this form and state that I live in a house with a TV and no licence am I admitting liability, even though it's not my property and I don't own any of the TVs?

P.S. Yes, ideally the TV licence should have been paid for by the home owner. When letters turned up addressed to him, they went ignored.

ezra_pound

You don't have to own the house or TVs to be liable for the licence. If there's a TV in your house someone has to pay it. If they have your name then you better start playing ball.

CarrickMcJoe

They could be slowly getting you prepared for when you get the house left to you.

Graham

One of the householders just needs to go out and get a TV license, you'll find they don't care about the other stuff once that's done.

Rynox45

That's about what I expected. I have no problem with the TV licence but I wish it was less predatory. From my perspective it just seems like they realised they weren't getting anywhere with my dad so they came after me. As far as I know he hasn't had one since I turned 18 so it's baffling that An Post would just out of the blue decide I'm responsible for this.

Thanks for the input!

BattleCorp

If the OP doesn't own the house or any of the televisions, I fail to see how he could be responsible for the television licence.

He is a lodger there, no more, no less.

There is a big difference between An Post not caring who pays for the television licence and the OP being legally responsible for the licence.

Graham

BattleCorp wrote: »

If the OP doesn't own the house or any of the televisions, I fail to see how he could be responsible for the television licence.

He is a lodger there, no more, no less.

There is a big difference between An Post not caring who pays for the television licence and the OP being legally responsible for the licence.

Are you just guessing or have you found something that would exclude the OP as a member of the household?