TV Licence - search warrant

degzs

I have moved into a new house and yesterday evening i got a note saying that I was in the house and was uncooperative when the TV licence man called. I was in the house and the TV was on put I did not hear the door.
What does a search warrant involve and how long before the search warrant is issued? Not sure why they need a search warrant as he seen the TV in the window.

godtabh

What makes you think a search warrant is coming?

Peregrinus

Reply immediately and say that you are sorry you didn't hear the bell, and that they won't need a search warrant; you'll be happy to facilitate them by appointment. For good measure include a photocopy of your TV licence, and you'll probably never hear from them again.

Mr. Incognito

A search warrant will not be issued by a judge for a fooking TV licence.

Get real.

alexonhisown

Have you got a tv licence?
Unusual for them to call if you have one.

Even if they do get a search warrant, im sure it will be just a guard going into sittingroom to confirm if u have a tv or not

Stoogie

alexonhisown wrote: »

Have you got a tv licence?
Unusual for them to call if you have one.

Even if they do get a search warrant, im sure it will be just a guard going into sittingroom to confirm if u have a tv or not

Lol
They don't need a search warrant they know you have an apparatus capable of receiving a signal.
They won't get a search warrant.
If the op has just moved he may not yet have moved his tv lisence.

Wanderer78

alexonhisown wrote:

Even if they do get a search warrant, im sure it will be just a guard going into sittingroom to confirm if u have a tv or not

What a waste of gardai resources

degzs

The note says that a search warrant will be issued and I was thinking do they issue a search warrants for no TV licence . He was able to see the TV on in the sitting room.
Is the warrant needed to find the names of the occupants as they have no names for the house?
I do not have a TV licence as I have just moved in and the next step is to get a licence but just wondering about the search warrant and consequences.

Peregrinus

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

A search warrant will not be issued by a judge for a fooking TV licence.

Get real.

He will, if application is made to him under Broadcasting Act 2009 s.8, and the conditions of that section are satisfied. But in fact I think it's rare for application to be made, and (the boilerplate in the warning letter notwithstanding) it's unlikely to be made in this case. Degz says the inspector saw the TV through the window, and the inspector can give evidence to that effect.

Degz's question about how long it will take may not be motivated by his terror about the possibility of a midnight raid by an armed SWAT team lobbing stun grenades and shouting "Freeze! Assume the position!" Rather, he may be hoping to be told that the processes take many months, and he has plenty of time to avert the Iron Fist of Justice.

If they really wanted a warrant, Degz, they could get it very quickly. In most circumstances where you need a warrant at all you need it PDQ, and the process is set up to accommodate that. But, as you have already twigged, they probably won't be seeking a warrant in this case. If you are hoping for delay, this is not a good foundation for that hope.

Edups

degzs wrote: »

The note says that a search warrant will be issued and I was thinking do they issue a search warrants for no TV licence . He was able to see the TV on in the sitting room.
Is the warrant needed to find the names of the occupants as they have no names for the house?
I do not have a TV licence as I have just moved in and the next step is to get a licence but just wondering about the search warrant and consequences.

It's likely that they had been chasing the prior tentants for a while to no avail. Same happened with me. TV licence chaps and Gardai at my door looking for Hussan Husain or whatever the lads name was.. says I, do I look like a Hussan to you lads? Says he, no sorry do you know where he is

Tefral

Just get a TV licence and you'll hear no more about it.

alexonhisown

Ring tv licence people and explain you dont have one because you have just moved home and just say a family member died also and u have been so busy that you totally overlooked getting a tv licence, hopefully that will do the trick, and tell them you would like to set up a direct debit for a tv licence.

Good luck, im sure it will all be fine

Afollower

alexonhisown wrote: »

Ring tv licence people and explain you dont have one because you have just moved home and just say a family member died also and u have been so busy that you totally overlooked getting a tv licence, hopefully that will do the trick, and tell them you would like to set up a direct debit for a tv licence.

Good luck, im sure it will all be fine

Why would you feel the need to say a 'family member died'? It amazes me that lying has become second nature to so many people.

GrumpyMe

Well maybe that was the situation with that poster "alexonhisown".

Edups

alexonhisown wrote: »

Ring tv licence people and explain you dont have one because you have just moved home and just say a family member died also and u have been so busy that you totally overlooked getting a tv licence, hopefully that will do the trick, and tell them you would like to set up a direct debit for a tv licence.

Good luck, im sure it will all be fine

Or he can just tell them the actual truth? I moved in yesterday I'll organise the licence shortly. I don't think they'll come breaking down the door if you don't sort a license within 24hrs

OP, relax. No one's coming after you, the letter was likely not even for you, but the prior tenant, even if the address was empty, they'd still send out inspectors and that if the address was on their system as not licenced

dev100

I dread those twats. How does he know it's a TV in your sitting room? it could be a monitor and you are watching something on Netflix via your laptop or chromecast how is he or she to know !!! I know several lads who have banged the door in the face of these lads and got away with it. They just ignore them

It's all scare tactics

For security reasons some people don't open doors unless they know the person is calling . I don't id be happy if I found someone gawking in my window.

Just buy the license online and don't worry about it .

Edups

dev100 wrote: »

I dread those twats. How does he know it's a TV in your sitting room? it could be a monitor and you are watching something on Netflix via your laptop or chromecast how is he or she to know !!! I know several lads who have banged the door in the face of these lads and got away with it. They just ignore them

It's all scare tactics

For security reasons some people don't open doors unless they know the person is calling . I don't id be happy if I found someone gawking in my window.

You need a TV licence for any device capable of receiving television programming, that includes internet T.V. that covers, mobiles, iPad's, PC's etc

gizmo555

Edups wrote: »

You need a TV licence for any device capable of receiving television programming, that includes internet T.V. that covers, mobiles, iPad's, PC's etc

You are mistaken. It was precisely because the internet is not covered by TV licence legislation that Pat Rabbitte came up with the idea of introducing a household public broadcasting charge which everyone would have to pay regardless of whether they had a TV or not. Of course, given all the fuss about property tax & water charges, that idea has been long fingered.

In the meantime, you're obliged to have licence if you have "a television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal (using an aerial, satellite dish, cable or other means)". This does not include your PC or iPad.

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

dev100

Edups wrote:

You need a TV licence for any device capable of receiving television programming, that includes internet T.V. that covers, mobiles, iPad's, PC's etc

As what gizmo has said above . Which is correct

It's amazing how many people believe this.

In UK it's a fairer system you can have a TV in the house as long as you ain't connected to a receiver capable of receiving a TV signal via an aerial . You don't need a licence . Here if you had a broken telly or a telly not connected to anything you need a licence .

GM228

gizmo555 wrote: »

the internet is not covered by TV licence legislation

Although Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) is covered by the legislation.

Also as a side note, the Internet is actually covered by the current legislation, it's currently exempt however by the associated exemption order.

Robbo

Moderation: If this turns into one of those "angels dancing on the head of the pin" discussions about what contraptions are and aren't covered by the TV Licencing legislation as it stands, it won't last long.

Quick use of the search function will show up dozens of threads on that aspect, if you want to go down that particular wormhole.