Can I refuse to pay TV Licence Ireland?
If you don’t have a TV licence to show the inspector, you may face a court appearance. If convicted, you could be fined €1,000 for a first offence and €2,000 for subsequent offences. If you have been fined and you breach court orders directing you to pay their television licence, you can be imprisoned.
What are the rules on TV Licences?
The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
- watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel.
- watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
- download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.
Can TV license inspector enter your home Ireland?
Conversation. Annual reminder that Irish TV licence inspectors have a power to search your home—without cause, reasonable suspicion, or any oversight whatsoever—to see if you have a TV. It’s a vastly more extensive power of entry than the police have, it’s completely insane.
Is there a law that says you have to pay TV Licence?
Section 363 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to install or use a television receiver to watch or record any television programmes as they’re being shown on television without a TV Licence. Section 365 of that Act requires that a person to whom a TV Licence is issued must pay a fee to the BBC.
How can I avoid paying TV Licence?
You don’t need a TV Licence if you never watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel, or live on an online TV service, and you never download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.
What powers do TV Licensing have?
If a TV Licensing officer calls to your house, you do not have to let them inside. They do have the power to go to the police and get a search warrant to get inside but without a warrant you do not have to allow entry.
Can a TV inspectors enter your home?
Can TV licence inspectors visit your house? Inspectors can visit your house, although you’re likely to receive a letter before this point. You can refuse to let an inspector in, but this might lead to them getting a court order – which means they would be allowed to enter by law without your permission.
What happens if you refuse to pay your TV Licence?
If you don’t have a licence or fail to repay your arrears, you could receive a court fine. It’s a criminal offence to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer unless you have a valid TV licence. Without one, you risk prosecution and can be issued a fine of up to £1,000, plus court costs.
Can TV Licensing tell if you’re watching TV?
They work by detecting the electromagnetic signature that your television gives off. They are so accurate that they can tell you where in the house the TV is, and they can indeed see the channel you are watching.
Do TV Licence people actually come to your house?
TV Licensing can only enter your home without your permission if authorised to do so under a search warrant granted by a magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland). TV Licensing may also apply to a magistrate (or sheriff in Scotland) for a search warrant.
Do I have to let TV Licence people into my house?
How do they catch you without a TV Licence?
If TV Licensing believes you’re watching ‘live TV’ or using BBC iPlayer without a licence, enquiry officers may pay you a visit. They can’t enter your home without permission, but can apply for a search warrant to do so. They may also use detection equipment such as vans and handheld detectors.
How is the TV licence fee collected?
The TV Licence fee is collected by An Post and distributed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. From the TV Licence receipts, the Department pays An Post commission in respect of the TV Licence activities An Post undertakes in its role as the Minister’s collection Agent.
Do I need a TV licence in Ireland?
In Ireland, a television licence is required for any address at which there is a television set.
What laws set out the legislation relating to TV licences?
The Broadcasting Act 2009 and other laws set out the legislation relating to Television Licences. Get more information on the law relating to TV Licences.
What is the current governing legislation for the Irish television industry?
The current governing legislation is the Broadcasting Act 2009, in particular Part 9 “Television Licence” and Chapter 5 “Allocation of Public Funding to RTÉ and TG4”. Devices which stream television via internet do not need licences, nor do small portable devices such as mobile phones.