Getting harassed my TV license inspector

chamar

I am wondering about how invasive the tv inspectors can be. I have a tv but no license (- I know how unacceptable a lot of people think that is but I personally disagree with it as I reject paying RTE to advertise to me.) Anyway, I am getting serious harassment from An Post banging on the door and leaving slips under it etc. The latest one says I have 5 days. My question is can they prove I have a tv if I never let them in and if so can I then be summonsed? After tonight I am starting to think they may break the door down. Could I just store the tv somewhere and let them in?

Saruman

You are screwed!!
Principals will only get you a serious fine and/or jail term.
Just pay it, its a pain in the arse but its the law after all.

I do not want to pay road tax either... after all the roads are a disgrace and the only excellent roads are Toll roads!!

faceman

Yep pay it. The old blanket covering the tv trick wont work. (A guy tried this and was convicted in court recently. Sorry cant find the link)

besides if you are subscribing to ntl or sky then the gov knows u got a tv.

MarkR

Yes they can prove it. Haven't you noticed your reception going funny when the vans come around? Hope you have a spare grand handy for the fine. Was wondering, do you approve of motor tax etc? Any other compulsory things you choose to ignore?

Let us know how you get on.

qwertplaywert

apperently in america theres no actually law on being made made tax

faceman

chamar wrote:

After tonight I am starting to think they may break the door down. Could I just store the tv somewhere and let them in?

They wont break the door in!

Just a funny thought which reminded me of a far side gallery joke. Yep hide the tv and you let them in. They see the sofa and armchairs facing an empty tv stand. "no tv here boss"!

Saruman

apperently in america theres no actually law on being made made tax

what?

chamar

I do remember some sketch from years back where the resident kept repeating tv catchphrases to the inspector.....eg. 'Nice to see you, to see you NICE!"

Tonight was just the limit though. The inspector got someone else to let him in the front and then was banging like a psycho on the front door for 10 mins....hence I thought maybe they could break in or something. I guess I will just have to buy one and suffer the knowledge that my money is going to pay for that twit Kenny every friday night etc etc etc

I am not letting that psycho inspector in tho.

MarkR

I think he means that there is no specific law against paying taxes in the US. I don't this is true, they have laws against tax evasion. Actually, Al Capone got done for tax evasion in the end.

aidan_walsh

chamar wrote:

I do remember some sketch from years back where the resident kept repeating tv catchphrases to the inspector.....eg. 'Nice to see you, to see you NICE!"

Tonight was just the limit though. The inspector got someone else to let him in the front and then was banging like a psycho on the front door for 10 mins....hence I thought maybe they could break in or something. I guess I will just have to buy one and suffer the knowledge that my money is going to pay for that twit Kenny every friday night etc etc etc

I am not letting that psycho inspector in tho.

Alternatively, sell your television.

Mossy Monk

chamar wrote:

I personally disagree with it as I reject paying RTE to advertise to me

boo hoo. we all have to deal with it, including most of Europe. if you want to pay a license but have no ads then have you ever thought about moving to the UK?

sudzs

MarkR wrote:

Yes they can prove it. Haven't you noticed your reception going funny when the vans come around? Hope you have a spare grand handy for the fine. Was wondering, do you approve of motor tax etc? Any other compulsory things you choose to ignore?

Let us know how you get on.

What vans?????

KTRIC

sudzs wrote:

What vans?????

You know , "the" vans, that "they" drive :rolleyes:

cormie

I moved into a new place that had a tv, but who needs TV when you have broadband, so I threw it into the shed. Is this good enough not to pay the license?

Kimbot

cormie wrote:

I moved into a new place that had a tv, but who needs TV when you have broadband, so I threw it into the shed. Is this good enough not to pay the license?

If you don't watch TV then you shouldn't have to pay for a TV lisence!! But if you watch it on the comp then you have to pay it!!

Zapho

cormie wrote:

I moved into a new place that had a tv, but who needs TV when you have broadband, so I threw it into the shed. Is this good enough not to pay the license?

Legally no. But its a bit like the "broken TV" claus, if its broken, you still have to pay,but they'd have a hard time proving it your TV was in your shed. If you really don't need the TV, just sell the b*stard, its easier.

cormie

It's not mine to sell, belongs to the gaf:(

I don't actually watch TV on my laptop, just use alluc.org;)

What would be the story with the license anyway? Do I just let it expire without paying it or would I have to ring them up to cancel it or what? I was told just let it expire?

Vokes

Saruman wrote:

apperently in america theres no actually law on being made made tax

what?

I believe he's talking about the fact that there is no tv licence fee in the US or Canada.

Lump

Just pay it..... yes the money goes to RTE, but it's a license for having a television. You're paying the government for all the money they put in to set up the broadcast network.

Essentially,

Just Pay The Fúcking Money :P

John

oleras

just because you dont have a tv, even if u listen to the radio you still need one.afaik.

cormie

If you're referring to me, I don't listen to the radio either. Musicovery.com for that:D

Mountjoy Mugger

oleras wrote:

just because you dont have a tv, even if u listen to the radio you still need one.afaik.

Totally incorrect. The licence is called the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 Section 5 Television Licence

The licence also states "have possession of a television set or television sets at the premises"

No reference to radios.

zuutroy

I used to pay by direct debit, and when I moved away and wanted to cancel the woman said I couldnt, so Im now paying a 12 euro a month and I'm not even in Ireland!

cormie

zuutroy wrote:

I used to pay by direct debit, and when I moved away and wanted to cancel the woman said I couldnt, so Im now paying a 12 euro a month and I'm not even in Ireland!

You should be able to cancel it through your bank?

r3nu4l

Yeah, it's great living int he UK not having to pay for advertising etc. :rolleyes: but you still need a TV license to cover BBC 1 and BBC 2.

There are still people over here who complain that they don't watch BBC so shouldn't have to pay...same sh1t different country :rolleyes:

mikemac

Living in a rented apartment for about 7 months now and got a call from the TV Licence inspector last night.

I answered that I did have a portable TV but it was impossible to watch TV on it. I use it for DVD’s.
I don’t have Sky/NTL and it is just isn’t possible to get a signal with a portable aeriel. The same goes with wireless broadband and there is barely a mobile phone signal.
I make phone calls beside the window.
That’s what happens when you live next the biggest stadium in the country.

I invited the TV licence inspector in, explained the situation and proved I couldn’t watch any terrestrial channels. I also proved there was no Sky dish or NTL socket.
This cut no ice with him, I had to pay.

I’ll be giving the portable TV to my sister and I’ll use my laptop to watch DVD’s from now on.
Seems unfair to have to pay for a service I’ll never use but that’s the law I suppose. Can’t fight the system.

Now waiting 6 weeks for Eircom to install a phoneline so I can get broadband but that’s a rant for a different thread.

humanji

chamar wrote:

I do remember some sketch from years back where the resident kept repeating tv catchphrases to the inspector.....eg. 'Nice to see you, to see you NICE!"

Tonight was just the limit though. The inspector got someone else to let him in the front and then was banging like a psycho on the front door for 10 mins....hence I thought maybe they could break in or something. I guess I will just have to buy one and suffer the knowledge that my money is going to pay for that twit Kenny every friday night etc etc etc

I am not letting that psycho inspector in tho.

Just turn up the volume of the tv so you can't hear him. Problem solved.

monkeyfudge

cormie wrote:

I moved into a new place that had a tv, but who needs TV when you have broadband, so I threw it into the shed. Is this good enough not to pay the license?

Not for much longer. They're trying to bring in further legislation that will mean you have to pay the license if you have a broadband capable computer.

humanji

cormie wrote:

I moved into a new place that had a tv, but who needs TV when you have broadband, so I threw it into the shed. Is this good enough not to pay the license?

If you're renting doesn't the owner have to get the license? When I was in college, we rented an apartment. The inspector came along and we told him we rented, and didn't know if we had a license (which we didn't). He said it was ok, he'd get in touch with the owners.

Mossy Monk

monkeyfudge wrote:

Not for much longer. They're trying to bring in further legislation that will mean you have to pay the license if you have a broadband capable computer.

i think this is ridiculous. are RTÉ going to provide their tv channels online?

zuutroy

cormie wrote:

You should be able to cancel it through your bank?

It comes off my credit card, and they cant stop it apparently...might ring again to confirm.

Lump

Of course they can stop it..... just say you're being robbed!

chamar

Well I bought a tv license today so I won't be going to court anytime soon. It is unfair on all of us though - RTE radio is appalling, RTE television is appalling. They get corporate sponsorship for half their programs and NEVER stop advertising (particularly on the radio). It galls me to think I am helping to pay for Lucy Kennedy to photograph sharks in SA, that awful Blaithnaid woman & 600,000 a year to Pat Kenny. Not to mention Gaybo is still on the payroll for doing nothing. Still, at least he was good.

I would like to see only one channel with no ads that showed good programming. The vast majority of what is broadcast is crap!

themole

humanji wrote:

If you're renting doesn't the owner have to get the license? When I was in college, we rented an apartment. The inspector came along and we told him we rented, and didn't know if we had a license (which we didn't). He said it was ok, he'd get in touch with the owners.

The user of the TV has to pay the license.

themole

qwertplaywert wrote:

apperently in america theres no actually law on being made made tax

Not quiet correct.

Apparently Income Tax is against the US constitution. This does not affect other forms of tax however.

There was a film recently about this, can't remember the name.

muckwarrior

I don't have a license and don't plan on getting one either. As far as I see there's no way they can prove I have a TV. I'm not gonna let any inspector cυnt into my house unless they're accompanied by a cop and a search warrant. Also, despite what they'd like you to think, I'm also reliably informed that they don't know whether or not you have an active cable connection (theoretically they may have access to this info but there's no system linking it together). Also there's no way I'd ever give my real name so they can send as many threatening letters to "John Smith" as they like!

Mossy Monk

chamar wrote:

Well I bought a tv license today so I won't be going to court anytime soon. It is unfair on all of us though - RTE radio is appalling, RTE television is appalling. They get corporate sponsorship for half their programs and NEVER stop advertising (particularly on the radio). It galls me to think I am helping to pay for Lucy Kennedy to photograph sharks in SA, that awful Blaithnaid woman & 600,000 a year to Pat Kenny. Not to mention Gaybo is still on the payroll for doing nothing. Still, at least he was good.

I would like to see only one channel with no ads that showed good programming. The vast majority of what is broadcast is crap!

all in your opinion of course

Nightwish

I've never paid for a tv licence in the 5 years I lived in Dublin. We got threatening letters every week in the last house I lived in, but they just went in the bin.

Raiser

sudzs wrote:

What vans?????

I know of a group of lads living in a flat in Limerick who had the TV License man on their case. They were advised [by some ingenious idiot] to wrap their TV in tinfoil to deflect the TV sensing technology as used by the lads in the TV License van.

- And it actually worked - in a way..........In covering the TV they also covered the vents which had been placed strategically during the Telly design phase to allow any built up heat to escape. The TV broke and was thrown in a skip, before they diverted enough money from their Dutch Gold funds the Gardaí arrived with a warrant and searched their flat........case closed

Mossy Monk

lol, that is just brilliant and idiotic all at the same time

humanji

themole wrote:

The user of the TV has to pay the license.

Cool, score one for the little guy!

muckwarrior wrote:

I don't have a license and don't plan on getting one either. As far as I see there's no way they can prove I have a TV. I'm not gonna let any inspector cυnt into my house unless they're accompanied by a cop and a search warrant. Also, despite what they'd like you to think, I'm also reliably informed that they don't know whether or not you have an active cable connection (theoretically they may have access to this info but there's no system linking it together). Also there's no way I'd ever give my real name so they can send as many threatening letters to "John Smith" as they like!

Well it's fairly easy to get the name of someone staying in a house (as simple as asking a neighbour or postman. And if anyone has ever had a tv license in the place before, then they'll assume you still have one. And finally, they'll come down a hell of a lot harder on you if you piss them off.

themole

muckwarrior wrote:

Also there's no way I'd ever give my real name so they can send as many threatening letters to "John Smith" as they like!

Aren't most of the tv license letters addressed to "the occupant"?

It is not that hard to find out if you have a TV or not.

In my house we got a license because one of the lads was getting a bit worried about it. Two days after we got it an inspector called around, one of the lads answered the door but didn't know where the license was. The inspector said his list wouldn't have been updated yet so he said he would come back again if we didn't have one.

Deflector

LicenCe.

Bloody hell.
I've heard of taking a lead from an OP, but this thread just takes it to a new level.

sceptre

I'd be a bit concerned about myself if I ever had to use the phrase "my TV licence inspector" as opposed to "the TV licence inspector". He probably uses the phrase "my nemesis" if that helps.

muckwarrior

themole wrote:

Aren't most of the tv license letters addressed to "the occupant"?

Yes but the court summons has to be issued to a specific person, i.e. the person who answers the door when the inspector calls. As I recall the last time a bunch of TV licenCe (happy now) cases came to court a large proportion of them were thrown out as the person the summons was issued to no longer resided at the address (or most probably never did).

chamar

Well, he hasn't come back yet but on reflection, I really think he was OTT on Tuesday night. I mean, the man buzzed the buzzer constantly for about 10 minutes and somebody must have let him in because the next thing I knew there was this almight banging on the door with cries of 'I know you're in there'. I mean, what's next? A big axe through one of the panels with the guy screaming 'HERE'S JOHNNY!!'.?? (http://www.best-horror-movies.com/images/The-shining-wendy-with-ax.jpg)

I got the license but there is no way in hell I will ever have an interaction with that man.

r3nu4l

Good ol' Jack

Mossy Monk

chamar wrote:

Well, he hasn't come back yet but on reflection, I really think he was OTT on Tuesday night. I mean, the man buzzed the buzzer constantly for about 10 minutes and somebody must have let him in because the next thing I knew there was this almight banging on the door with cries of 'I know you're in there'. I mean, what's next? A big axe through one of the panels with the guy screaming 'HERE'S JOHNNY!!'.?? (http://www.best-horror-movies.com/images/The-shining-wendy-with-ax.jpg)

I got the license but there is no way in hell I will ever have an interaction with that man.

couldnt he be done for harrassment?

byte

If you got the licence, he may not be back (after looking this up, licenSe is also sort of correct, though probably used more in USA).

It seems his work with you is done. You have got what he wanted you to get!

qwertplaywert

and so the cycle continues

OfflerCrocGod

I wish RTE was sold off so we could dump the licence (license doesn't trigger the spell checker btw so I'd say that's why people used that spelling ).