midsommer murders

Post by **foggyjames** » 02 Jan 2006 02:08 pm

Crikey, they don't usually. Lucky wotsit...

cheers

James

Post by MJ » 02 Jan 2006 02:11 pm

Yeah, I think I made a good choice of uni, and not just because they cover TV licence

Post by **redline** » 02 Jan 2006 06:09 pm

might be worth checking that MJ ,
when I was a tv licence officer ,because all the rooms in a halls of residence had there own front doors and locks , they were looked upon as individual flats and therefore each one had to have its own licence , mind you that was 8 years ago , and dont forget the offence is watching tv programmes without a licence so even watching it on a computer is an offence.
In fact ,you could even be nicked for watching something like only fools and horses on video or dvd on something that cannot recieve tv programs,like a portable dvd player because you are still "watching a tv program"

Post by **foggyjames** » 02 Jan 2006 07:33 pm

Jack of all trades eh?

redline wrote:In fact ,you could even be nicked for watching something like only fools and horses on video or dvd....because you are still "watching a tv program"

Seriously?! Bloody hell...that's daft! I could understand it if your mate was taping everything for you and bringing it round...but that sounds mad!

cheers

James

Post by **SteveP** » 02 Jan 2006 07:48 pm

To be fair TV licensing laws are a joke, if you don't watch BBC channels then why should you have to pay for a license which funds them? Crazy...

Although it'd be difficult to implement, maybe they should consider broadcasting to only people that have bought a license! But as it is, they're holding a complete monopoly - so why would they want to change it?

Post by **Fuse** » 02 Jan 2006 07:59 pm

Looks like it's the same thing everywhere.

In here you must pay your TV license even if you don't watch YLE channels. (YLE is a government funded network, no commercials) If you have a TV which can be set to receive TV-programs without any major measures you have to pay. If you remove the receiver or in some cases the aerial plug, then you don't have to pay. Some people who use TV only for home theatres etc... have done this.

Even if you receive your programs through cable or satellite you still have to pay TV license even though you are not using the aerial network... And prices are going up allmost every year. Now it's 200 euros for 12 months. Doesn't sound much but it's still stupid to fund network which programs you don't even watch.

Post by MJ » 02 Jan 2006 08:28 pm

Well the uni made it quite clear that we didn't need our own licence, and I'm prepared to trust 'em

Post by **d3k4y0** » 03 Jan 2006 12:49 am

redline wrote: In fact ,you could even be nicked for watching something like only fools and horses on video or dvd on something that cannot recieve tv programs,like a portable dvd player because you are still "watching a tv program"

Not if said portable dvd player is powered by battery, as they can then be covered by your parents' TVL

Post by **petefarrell360** » 03 Jan 2006 01:31 am

Hmmm, all very interesting stuff! I often wondered what the situation was with portable DVD players and the like, as I noticed that many don't actually receive TV signals, and are only monitors with DVD inputs etc. However I have a portable TV with DVD player for in car use etc, it is technically battery powered, 12 V car battery...... and how would I buy a tv licence for use in my car, as I'm not living there, but it has seperate locks and doors!?!

redline wrote: had there own front doors and locks

It seems mad though that someone could be prosecuted for watching DVD's without even receiving a TV signal. IMO the rubbish that is on terrestrial TV isn't worth the licence fee at the moment and by constantly advertising the good programs on terrestrial TV, getting you interested, then telling you you need digital to watch them on their other channels is wrong, or to see the next episode etc! I don't watch much TV, not enough time, but there are a few programs I make time to see, Top Gear, etc. Anyway, mini rant over.......
Pete

Post by **redline** » 03 Jan 2006 12:09 pm

couple of points the students on the forum might be interested in

Do I need a licence?

If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes (for example, a VCR, set-top box, DVD recorder or PC with a broadcast card) - you need a TV Licence. You are required by law to have one.

Aren't I covered by my parents' licence while I'm away?

No. Unless your TV is powered by internal batteries only and not connectable to the mains, such as a pocket-sized TV. If you think that this is the case, please call us on 0870 241 5973 to check that you are eligible for cover on your parents' licence

MJ please note , the halls of residence may say differently but it wont be them tv licencing take to court.

What if I live in Halls of Residence?

You are not covered by your Halls of Residence licence unless you only watch TV in a communal area. If you watch or record TV programmes in your room, you need your own TV Licence. the halls communal tv will be covered , individual sets in your own rooms will not .

Do I need my own licence if I live in shared accommodation?

If you are going to be sharing a house, a separate tenancy agreement would normally mean your room is classified a separately occupied place. In this case, if you have a TV in your room, you will need your own TV Licence.

However, if there is only one TV in a communal area, then only one TV Licence is required. Similarly, if your house can be treated as one place shared by all, then only one TV Licence is required - a joint tenancy agreement would normally indicate that there is only one separately occupied place.

I share with other people - is it my responsibility to provide a TV Licence?

If you are going to be sharing a house, a separate tenancy agreement would normally mean your room is classified a separately occupied place. In this case, if you have a TV in your room, you will need your own TV Licence.

However, if there is only one TV in a communal area, then only one TV Licence is required. Similarly, if your house can be treated as one place shared by all, then only one TV Licence is required - a joint tenancy agreement would normally indicate that there is only one separately occupied place.

Ultimately, if your address is unlicensed, both you and your landlord could face prosecution and a fine of £1,000 regardless of your tenancy agreement.

the only way to get out of paying is to live at home with mum and dad or get to 75 years old , even blind people have to pay half the normal fee

hope this all helps even if it isn't what you wanted to hear

Post by **redline** » 03 Jan 2006 12:14 pm

d3k4y0 wrote:Not if said portable dvd player is powered by battery, as they can then be covered by your parents' TVL

Dave your talking about the second home rule.
your parents would be covered by there licence but you wouldnt unless they are with you, basically it works that if they are not using the tv at home then that licence would cover them at a holiday location.

Second Home

If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes (for example, a VCR, set-top box, DVD recorder or PC with a broadcast card) in your second home, you need to make sure that it is correctly licensed.

If your second home is a house, cottage, flat, bungalow or any other permanent building, you need to have a separate TV Licence to cover this address.

If you only use a TV set powered by its own internal batteries, you do not need a separate TV Licence.

Post by MJ » 04 Jan 2006 10:35 pm

Hmm, this is very intreguing...

I've just been on the uni website, and I quote;

TV Licence

There is no need to purchase a TV licence as the University holds a multiple licence which covers your TV, video or dvd player in your room.

Post by **redline** » 04 Jan 2006 11:57 pm

best bet is to get a copy of it for yourself

Post by **petefarrell360** » 05 Jan 2006 12:09 am

Mick, as you're the man with the answers and it's currently just a question..... how about work based television sets. As although it is a locked area etc blah blah, it's not strictly accomodation, so you're not living there and enjoying the television all of the time, and you are probably paying for a television licence for your home anyway, what are the rulings? Communal work based televisions etc, how do they need to be covered? It's all rather interesting and well, some of it madness, but rules are rules. As Mick says, MJ, I'd get it sorted for sure. I'd actually take what your Uni has provided you with to the Television Licencing and see what they think, don't want one of those fines they were advertising on the tv for people at Uni who thought they were covered!
Pete

Post by **foggyjames** » 05 Jan 2006 01:37 am

I very much doubt that the university would lie about it and risk getting their students into trouble (and I definitely wouldn't buy a license 'just in case'...in fact you probably can't buy two licenses for the same property)...but it might be worth double checking the validity of this 'site license'.

cheers

James