Tv licence - i dont own a tv..

gerrycollins · 03-09-2011 02:51PM

im going to put in my two cents here

When I lived in a house in dublin we got the usual letter from an post licence inspector. As did every other house in my neighbourhood. My wife got nervous and wanted to pay it straight away the following day.

I managed to hold her off for 6 months then we paid up a full year. in the mean time we had no communication from the inspectors.

1 week after getting our licence who pops out for a visit but the inspector!!!!. so nothing more from them for a year or so and one week after the renewal date out comes the renewal letters and possible punishment if we dont renew.

anyways its my opnion that they put these letters in peoples houses every so often just to scare people and its only when you first register an address then its in the system. The OP's letter could have come from the previous owners having a TV licence for their TV in that apartment or its just an mail campaign by An Post.

ps you need a TV licence for any device capable of recieveing a TV signal by any means(antenna or dish) inputted through a tuning device.probably been debated to death here

aN.Droid · 03-09-2011 02:55PM

Skunkle wrote: »

People who have TV licences, or have no TV. The people who dont have a licence but should are the people who are worried about being incriminated.

Next year I wont have a device capable or receiving a TV signal. And still, there will be no way a TV inspector is getting past my front door.

Paparazzo · 03-09-2011 03:00PM

Skunkle wrote: »

Probably not but the problem for you is the inspector can issue a fine without proof and failure to pay that fine or prove you shouldnt pay it will land you in court.

Its not as easy as ignore it and it goes away.

They send you a form asking if you have a TV. Fill it in saying you don't. Problem solved. As long as the inspector can't see into your living room window where you have a nice 50 inch tv, or he can't decide you do have one because he suspects he hears it from your door, you're grand. If you live in an apartment, you're grand.

ilovesleep · 03-09-2011 03:03PM

Skunkle wrote: »

People who have TV licences, or have no TV. The people who dont have a licence but should are the people who are worried about being incriminated.

Would you pay 160 euro a year to have a mug sit on your mantlepiece because that's exactly what my tv is. Its an ornament. Nor do I have a car or a lift to get rid of it properly. I'm persuming I can't just throw it away with the normal weekly trash.

The tv licensing laws are old and outdated. It was brought in decades ago when nobody had sky, dvd players or games consoles. There is opt out system in the uk. One can have a tv and use it solely for dvds/games so long as they are willing to prove that, that is exactly what the tv is used for. And with that an inspector must come in. Here in ireland you must have a license regardless of what the tv is used for. A person here in ireland could use a tv just for gaming, but they would still be stung for a license if they were to invite an inpector in even though it's not used to view television channels.

If our new government was to pass a new law to close down all childminding facilities and move them into the church and make it by law to have all children cared for in the church. Would send your kids to the church to be cared for because it's the LAW.

gbee · 03-09-2011 03:05PM

coolmoose wrote: »

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

I think the need to have a licence for a radio still exists, for normal usage the TV licence will cover the radio [as well] that sort of thing and not the abolishment of the radio licence per sae.

ilovesleep · 03-09-2011 03:07PM

Limericks wrote: »

Next year I wont have a device capable or receiving a TV signal. And still, there will be no way a TV inspector is getting past my front door.

This! Regardless of my situation there is no obligation me what so ever to interact with a stranger at my door and if ever I was to answer the door to a stranger I will be very swiftly closing it again without speaking.

mikom · 03-09-2011 03:09PM

ilovesleep wrote: »

Would you pay 160 euro a year to have a mug sit on your mantlepiece because that's exactly what my tv is. Its an ornament. Nor do I have a car or a lift to get rid of it properly. I'm persuming I can't just throw it away with the normal weekly trash.

This just in.

The FAI is to require everyone to pay a 160 Euro licence if they have a football within their home.
Whether you play with it or not you still have to pay the licence, as you have in your possession a football capable of receiving a kick.

Mike 1972 · 03-09-2011 03:12PM

gbee wrote: »

I think the need to have a licence for a radio still exists.

No it doesnt

This bull$hit has been spouted on this thread before been debunked (complete with links to relevant legislation) but you (and others) still insist on repeatedly bringing it up.

Are you trolling ?

MungBean · 03-09-2011 03:15PM

ilovesleep wrote: »

Would you pay 160 euro a year to have a mug sit on your mantlepiece because that's exactly what my tv is. Its an ornament. Nor do I have a car or a lift to get rid of it properly. I'm persuming I can't just throw it away with the normal weekly trash.

The tv licensing laws are old and outdated. It was brought in decades ago when nobody had sky, dvd players or games consoles. There is opt out system in the uk. One can have a tv and use it solely for dvds/games so long as they are willing to prove that, that is exactly what the tv is used for. And with that and inspector must come in. Here in ireland you must have a license regardless of what the tv is used for.

If our new government was to pass a new law to close down all childminding facilities and move them into the church and make it by law to have all children cared for in the church. Would send your kids to the church to be cared for because it's the LAW.

If there was a law saying you cant eat onions would you eat onions even though you didnt like them just to show the law was stupid ? Seeing as your have no regard for this law does that mean you have no regard for any law ? Inventing stupid laws doesnt prove anything about existing laws. Nor does asking stupid questions.

If I had a dud TV I'd get rid of it or dismantle it to show it was unusable and unrepairable. I wouldnt risk the amount of hardship that comes with TV licence fines and whatnot to keep it as an ornament.

mikom · 03-09-2011 03:16PM

Do you want to see how your licence money is being pissed away, and why I never will pay it.

http://omg.wthax.org/noelkelly.jpg

This JonathanAnon's image grab, so I would like to credit him with it.

El Inho · 03-09-2011 03:18PM

so is the tv license really just a tax on something 99% of people have?

and also, why doesnt everyone just download stuff they like etc and connect to a computer monitor...they are cheaper and you save the money of a tv license

ilovesleep · 03-09-2011 03:20PM

Skunkle wrote: »

If there was a law saying you cant eat onions would you eat onions even though you didnt like them just to show the law was stupid ? Seeing as your have no regard for this law does that mean you have no regard for any law ? Inventing stupid laws doesnt prove anything about existing laws. Nor does asking stupid questions.

If I had a dud TV I'd get rid of it or dismantle it to show it was unusable and unrepairable. I wouldnt risk the amount of hardship that comes with TV licence fines and whatnot to keep it as an ornament.

The majority of laws if not all are in place to protect people and society.

An example would be laws surrounding drink driving. They are in place to protect other motorists from one who is under the influence of alcohol when driving which could lead to an accident and death.

What harm am I doing with a broken tv?

mikom · 03-09-2011 03:26PM

ilovesleep wrote: »

The majority of laws if not all are in place to protect people and society. What harm am I doing with a broken tv?

Your ability to absorb government propaganda is impaired.

MungBean · 03-09-2011 03:29PM

ilovesleep wrote: »

The majority of laws if not all are in place to protect people and society like drink driving laws. What harm am I doing with a broken tv?

See now we are moving on to the law itself rather than the enforcing of the law. Obviously you dont need me to tell you that you are doing no harm with a broken TV. But regardless of harm if you have a TV that you need a licence for and you dont have a licence you are breaking the law just as you can break many laws without "doing any harm". From what I gather if the TV is incapable of receiving a signal then you dont have to pay the licence. Why not just finish it off and destroy the tuner or whatever. Pull a few wires out. If it doesnt work you wont be obliged to pay the licence.

Mike 1972 · 03-09-2011 03:31PM

mikom wrote: »

Your ability to absorb government propaganda is impaired.

Sadly not sufficiently

ilovesleep wrote: »

The majority of laws if not all are in place to protect rich people and society.

FYP !

zeds alive · 03-09-2011 03:34PM

TV license lol , I haven't bought one in 18 years and I'm not about to start , I stream my programs via my pc to my TV.
I never answer the door unless im expecting someone , if the door bell rings 99.9% of the time it's someone wanting something from you, this way I never came into contact with an inspector.

Animord · 03-09-2011 03:39PM

Skunkle wrote: »

From what I gather if the TV is incapable of receiving a signal then you dont have to pay the licence. Why not just finish it off and destroy the tuner or whatever. Pull a few wires out. If it doesnt work you wont be obliged to pay the licence.

This is not correct, it doesn't matter if your TV is broken - it is deemed to be fixable.

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

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. Failure to produce evidence of a television licence to an inspector can result in a court appearance and on conviction, you can receive a substantial fine. People who have been fined and who have breached court orders directing them to pay their television licence can be imprisoned.
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.

Mike 1972 · 03-09-2011 03:49PM

Some people will suggest removing tuners and wotnot but the inside of a TV (especially old CRT types) isint someplace you want to go poking around if you dont know what youre at (some very high voltages there even for a few hours after the thing is plugged out) cutting off the plug might be a better idea (and easier to reinstate should one ever change their mind). Make sure the old plug gets thrown out immediately and not left where kids can get at it.

Animord wrote: »

This is not correct, it doesn't matter if your TV is broken - it is deemed to be fixable.

Unless its a top of ther range model who the fup fixes a TV in this day and age ?

That link you provide is to a Government (mis)information website (probably written by a licence inspector) not the actual statute book. Can you cite the actual section and subsection of the Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy acts which state a broken TV require a licence ?

Deactivated firearms dont require a licence. Scrap/Off-road vehicles dont require a licence/tax disc and Im pretty sure landfill dumps and recycling centres arent chased for TV licences.

MungBean · 03-09-2011 03:53PM

Animord wrote: »

This is not correct, it doesn't matter if your TV is broken - it is deemed to be fixable.

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

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. Failure to produce evidence of a television licence to an inspector can result in a court appearance and on conviction, you can receive a substantial fine. People who have been fined and who have breached court orders directing them to pay their television licence can be imprisoned.
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.

According to a thread in legal discussions when it is incapable of receiving signal (tuner taken out/destroyed) it no longer requires a licence as its no longer "equipment capable of receiving a television signal".

gbee · 03-09-2011 04:09PM

Mike 1972 wrote: »

No it doesnt

One needs to be very specific here.

At the time of the change over the requirement for TWO licences was dropped. The licence for the HOME TV would cover the other domestic radio receiver licence requirements.

Plus it is only applicable the TV set and radio equipment in one's home. Additional licenses are needed for holiday homes or the work place where additional fees are also due and of course, other radio equipment is covered as well, like CB and PMR radios, neither need a separate licence ~ subject to conditions.

tdv123 · 03-09-2011 04:18PM

It's a bit stupid needing a licence for a TV anyway. It's not like your gonna get really drunk & crash your tv into someones elses tv, unless your really,really,really hammered. Even then it's still very unlikley.

Meirleach · 03-09-2011 04:56PM

tdv123 wrote: »

It's a bit stupid needing a licence for a TV anyway. It's not like your gonna get really drunk & crash your tv into someones elses tv, unless your really,really,really hammered. Even then it's still very unlikley.

Oh sorry, I'm afraid you've been under a misconception for quite a while, it is not actually a TV licence, it's a TV tax.

LighterGuy · 03-09-2011 06:18PM

Not to go on about it, but I cant help but say it,
The whole tv license thing is completely terrible. A money racket. Always was, always will be.

Im suprised the government has tried it with other things. Mircowave license, pc license. But within saying that they would if they could.

jayteecork · 03-09-2011 06:24PM

Lads I'm getting a load of TV license letters, but addressed to the previous occupant.

I know they're the ones that are threatening people to pay but since they're not addressed to me i don't really give a ****.

If some court baliff calls around all I can say is "you expect me to open other people's letters"
they've already gone one step further by pushing one in under the door of my flat. (you'd have to get past 2 coded doors to do this)

What should I do?

emanresu · 04-09-2011 12:28AM

gbee wrote: »

I think the need to have a licence for a radio still exists, for normal usage the TV licence will cover the radio [as well] that sort of thing and not the abolishment of the radio licence per sae.

gbee wrote: »

One needs to be very specific here.

At the time of the change over the requirement for TWO licences was dropped. The licence for the HOME TV would cover the other domestic radio receiver licence requirements.

Plus it is only applicable the TV set and radio equipment in one's home. Additional licenses are needed for holiday homes or the work place where additional fees are also due and of course, other radio equipment is covered as well, like CB and PMR radios, neither need a separate licence ~ subject to conditions.

No. There is no radio licence. It was abolished nearly 40 years ago.

Your comment about a tv licence also covering a radio no longer applies. That applied to the years between the start of television broadcasting in Ireland until the abolition of the radio licence. Then, a tv licence would also cover a radio (or "wireless") in the same house.
At that time, if you had a radio but no tv set, then you needed a radio licence.
Now, if you have a radio but no tv set, you don't need any licence.

groundhurling · 04-09-2011 12:52AM

Television?! Oh no...that's our fish tank.

argosy2006 · 04-09-2011 12:58AM

No tv , you're missing all these great movies on rte, like right now on rte
' I Fell Outa Me Boat '' is on

Thomas828 · 04-09-2011 01:29AM

My dealings with the UK TV licensing bureau since I moved to Downpatrick have been minimal. When I first got a letter from them, they said, "We notice there is no TV license for your address."

I replied, "That's because I don't have a TV."

They replied, "There'll be someone coming over to your house to check."

This was in April. I haven't heard from them since. And there are not one but two aerials on my roof.

argosy2006 · 04-09-2011 01:45AM

Will they ever get back in that boat, The suspense is killing me,

IPushButtons · 04-09-2011 05:53AM

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!"?

It would be better in court if you could say that you've been having dialog with An Post because after you say "i dont own a fvcking tv" the judge is gonna ask you why you never told them and wasted yours an post and the courts time.

Tv licence - i dont own a tv..

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