TV License question

[uXuf]

My tenancy agreements states:

"... Where the schedule annexed hereto includes any television or radio, the license fees in respect of the same shall be borne by the Landlord. Otherwise, the license fees shall be borne by the Tenant..."

Now, the annexed scheduled (inventory list prepared by the landlord) includes the TV. I am not one to squabble over a petty $110, but the owner never held up any of her promises that she made to us before moving in, and is always adamant that she never made any promises and that she will only do what's written in the contract. So, is it that according to the contract she has agreed to pay the license fees for the TV, and since she is already taking the rental fee for the furnishings as well, she can't take away the TV if we don't pay?

What should be my position on this?

Thanks.

[sundaymorningstaple]

That one is very straightforward. If she has provided you a TV and or radios inclusive of the rental of the unit, then the landlord will bear the cost of the license. However, if you install additional TV or radios in the house then the license for them must be borne by the tenant (you). The sticky part is the interpretation. The first part is straightforward enough. The second part is written a little ambiguous as it should mean that any additional license fees for additional units would be at your cost. However, the way it's written, it could be read to say if you install another TV the entire license fees will be borne by you (but I don't think that will hold up as the intent of the statement was to differentiate what cost is the landlords and any additional costs incurred by the licenses do to additional sets, would be chargable to you.

sms

[scarbowl]

I'm supposed to be paying a license fee on my tele???

I know they do this in the UK but this is the first I've heard of it here.

What's the process, is it enforced, if I have cable am I already paying it, etc?

OR

Where do I go to find answers?

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'm supposed to be paying a license fee on my tele???

Yes

I know they do this in the UK but this is the first I've heard of it here.

What's the process, is it enforced, if I have cable am I already paying it, etc?

No, you should

OR

Where do I go to find answers?

If no TV is provided by your landlord, then you will have to apply for and obtain a TV License if you want a TV. Here is the link to get you started:

http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/devnpolicies.aspx?sid=185

It's $110/year, which is okay. When I first came here 27 years ago it was $100/year per TV and/or Radio Receiver. You also need to have a Radio Receiver License if you have a Radio in your car. That's $27/year.

sms

[scarbowl]

Interesting. I bought a tv and it was never mentioned.

I notice on the link that there is also a "vehicle radio license."

Sort of doubt I'll get around to either of these. Interesting to know about, though.

[sundaymorningstaple]

People have been pulled up by MDA re: TV licenses. They do occasionally do surprise visits to homes and as they are government agents you have to let them in if they show you their authority papers/ID. Don't know how effective they are with the radio one though. So, ignore at your own peril.

I don't know if a distributor here is required to inform MDA about deliveries to homes/flats (addresses) here or not. If they are, it is very easy for MDA to ascertain through their databases whether or not there is a license for that particular unit. Of course, cash & carry is a different story.

[macaroonie]

So to confirm, if the landlord provides a TV and there is no mention at all of a TV licence in the contract, then it is assumed the landlord will pay for the price of the TV licence?
Thanks!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yeah, normally if a TV is already provided then the landlord pays the TV license on their property tax bill in January. Of course, the landlord "may" try to get you to pay it but normally it's not a problem as the bill is theirs whether or not they have a tenant as long as they have a TV there.