Looks like I’ve got out of buying one of these this year. Basically, in our old rented gaff we got a letter threatening legal action unless one of us bought a TV licence so I stumped up for one in the end. We moved to a new gaff during the summer and our old landlord passed on some mail to us recently and it was from An Post threatening legal action against me for not renewing the licence. I’m a bit skint so I said I’d chance my arm in saying I didn’t think I would be required to purchase one and sent them this:
I am emailing you in connection with some TV licence notices that my previous landlord passed onto me, namely a final notice and a legal notice.
I have moved to a new address and no longer live at the previous licence address.
The circumstances around which I purchased a TV licence at my old address were as follows. I was part of a house share and each person was designated responsibility to settle different bills, be they ESB, Gas, NTL or whatever.
I was assigned TV and so paid for NTL and the annual licence. However, I didn’t own the TV in the house and didn’t bring it with me when I moved. As a result, I don’t believe I am required to obtain another licence.
TV licence implications wouldn’t have been something I considered when moving house so I was surprised to receive the correspondence, especially the threat of legal action.
Clearly, I don’t want to pay for a licence when I don’t believe my present circumstances necessitate me purchasing one. I would appreciate a reply in response to this email to confirm you have received it and to acknowledge that there is no basis to pursue legal action against me.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Bandage
I was expecting them to come back to me and request my current address so they could transfer the licence to there. However, I received this cheap and cheerful reply from them today:
Dear Bandage,
I have deleted that account.
Regards,
Gerry
Result.
I was thinking there that anyone could chance sending a similar letter even if they haven’t moved house and have a go at getting away without paying for a licence. Donating to RTE seriously pisses me off given some of the dicks they employ so I’m happy enough about this. Hopefully, they won’t target my new neighbourhood though!