Has the TV license inspector ever paid you a visit?

Hogzy

Im not trying to weigh up the odds of being paid a visit as i know that its not random calls they make to households!and i pay it so iv nothing to worry about!
Anyways has anyone had a call from the Inspector asking to see you license?

m83

No ... and ... tv license thread is about 6 inches down.

galwayrush

A South African friend told me that it's a 500 rand fine for shooting a trespasser, and a one thousand rand fine for not having a TV licence, so it's cheaper to shoot the fecker when he comes to your door.:D
( probably only works in S.A.):rolleyes:

Abi

Hogzy wrote: »

Anyways has anyone had a call from the Inspector asking to see you licence?

Yes, I had one. Why do you ask? Just curious.. If not for evasive reasons.

Hogzy

m83 wrote: »

No ... and ... tv license thread is about 6 inches down.

Huh?

deadhead13

I assume they check their database and only call to households that don't have a license.

Hogzy

Abigayle wrote: »

Yes, I had one. Why do you ask? Just curious.. If not for evasive reasons.

Had a conversation with a few friends earlier and none of them have ever heard of someone being visited by the TV license inspector. Im just wondering is it a common occurance or not.

As in if i were to throw out all my tv's now and get rid of my license would the inspector call wondering whats going on?

Ticktactoe

Oh yes, they are very curious inspectors around our area! Had several calls but then decided eventually that we better get one... and we did. The inspector call about two weeks before it was up and we told him that it is still valid for another two weeks. He checked it and agreed but said that is was strange as there was no valid licence on their system for our address. Moral of the story.... they have databases! :pac:

ve

They are getting much more efficient with this TV license stuff. Around the start of November I had a notice through my front door saying that a TV was observed through the window of the house and that I need to purchase/renew my license. My existing license was due to expire on NYE. About 2 weeks after that notice, another notice arrives recommending that I do the same. They also addressed me by name on both occasions.

So basically I renewed it online. I have never had a call from an inspector (while home) when I actually had a license, so it's not that random it would appear. Although it would have been cool to turn around and say "as a matter of fact I do have a license, so nya!".

One thing though a few years ago I was a few days late paying the license. Got around to doing it around the 10th or so of January and ended up having to pay more because I was late. Around a fiver more if I recall. Also I moved house in the last year and when I moved in to our new place I got a notice in the door telling me to pay my license, so all I did was a change of license address and that covered that.

My advise would be to get a license, especially if you are going to be using your own tv in your own place(s) for the majority of the year.

Hogzy

Hogzy wrote: »

Had a conversation with a few friends earlier and none of them have ever heard of someone being visited by the TV license inspector. Im just wondering is it a common occurance or not.

As in if i were to throw out all my tv's now and get rid of my license would the inspector call wondering whats going on?

I got a visit a week after I moved into the house I'm in at the moment. I think they were looking for the last guy.

Some old dude from the post office, none of this TV license inspector stuff.

Mines expired I'm past final warning I'm on to pink legal notice at this stage. I wonder what colour reminder they will send next.

Senna

I had a letter come saying the inspector had paid a visit and it said there is no license registered to the property (there wasn't) and there was 'signal receiving equipment' or words to that effect. I wondered if that meant he seen the tv through the window or if he seen the satellite dish at the back of the house, he would have only seen the dish if he actually walk around the bank of the house.

M.T

Senna wrote: »

I had a letter come saying the inspector had paid a visit and it said there is no license registered to the property (there wasn't) and there was 'signal receiving equipment' or words to that effect. I wondered if that meant he seen the tv through the window or if he seen the satellite dish at the back of the house, he would have only seen the dish if he actually walk around the bank of the house.

Write back and say that was your TV license inspector detection equipment they picked up :pac:

nevaeh-2die-4

i got a visit i was caught out, its due again next month tbh i wont be paying this time end of story.

im living in rented property when i buy my own house i MIGHT get one.

if they come knocking again im going to tell them i dont have one, i dont even watch the ****n thing i play the xbox on it the odd time, they can smell my helmet if they think there getting 160euro off me in 09

FloorBoard

Not yet,, if he does;

TV Inspector: "hello, I'm here to check your tv licence"

FloorBoard: "f'uck off before I mash you"

mumhaabu

As a kid I remember the inspector coming and loads of stalling by my mother at the door and offers of tea, biscuits and explaining how she wouldn't leave the kids watch tv and how herself had no time (we were taught this and warned what to do and say if the inspector ever came if we were alone in the house), we naturally kicked up a fuss and she gave out to us explaining that the TV man was at the door in which case we ran to him "begging" for TV and asking would he sell us one.

I remember it vividly as a 10 or 12 year lifting the old TV an radiation king type weighing an absolute tonne out of the Kitchen into the utility room and covering it with coats and such. We kept our Aerial in the attic as it is a high signal area. We actually didn't get a licence (Many years after that) until Sky Digital arrived sometime around 2000 or early 2001. It was something we hated and were taught to hate as an Uncle was caught sometime in the 1970's using a Black and White Licence (cheaper at the time) on a Colour Tv.

TV reception equipment ie. the so called trackers are a a load of sh1te in my opinion and a way of quickly railroading you into admitting guilt and paying the quick fine and getting a licence.

Cormic

I was visited by one a few years ago when living in a flat. The land lady had a licence in the basement and I told him to **** off as that covered the house. He got snotty with me. I never heard back from him though.

galwayrush

Can you imagine the shame of it...................................:rolleyes:

pookie82

nevaeh-2die-4 wrote: »

i got a visit i was caught out, its due again next month tbh i wont be paying this time end of story.

im living in rented property when i buy my own house i MIGHT get one.

if they come knocking again im going to tell them i dont have one, i dont even watch the ****n thing i play the xbox on it the odd time, they can smell my helmet if they think there getting 160euro off me in 09

What's the actual story if you do get a visit and you don't have one???

Is it instant massive fine or would they give you a couple of weeks t get your act together???

Wishbone Ash

I got a call from one a few years ago. He was very pleasant and courteous. He asked first if I had a TV set. He said the house had been flagged on his database as no licence existed at that address. It was an oversight. I moved house and the renewal notice had gone to the old address so I didn't think about it. I renewed it the following day.

Wishbone Ash

pookie82 wrote: »

What's the actual story if you do get a visit and you don't have one???

Is it instant massive fine or would they give you a couple of weeks t get your act together???

They request that you get one ASAP. Those people you hear of going to court are those who have failed to pay after several reminders/calls.

Wishbone Ash

mumhaabu wrote: »

the so called trackers are a a load of sh1te in my opinion

In your opinion!! You almost make it sound as if you actually believed they existed!

nevaeh-2die-4

pookie82 wrote: »

What's the actual story if you do get a visit and you don't have one???

Is it instant massive fine or would they give you a couple of weeks t get your act together???

I was a prick to him i called him a ****n wanker and said your as low as a car clamper etc etc

i was getting letters for 8weeks then i just gave up and paid, that was then this is now up yours TV License

Placid_Casual

Moved into my place about 18 months ago and got about 2 or 3 letters saying there was no record of a TV licence for the place and that inspectors were "active" in the area. Put off getting it for a couple of months until I eventually picked one up in the PO after work one day.

And who should call at my door that very evening...

mumhaabu

Placid_Casual wrote: »

Moved into my place about 18 months ago and got about 2 or 3 letters saying there was no record of a TV licence for the place and that inspectors were "active" in the area. Put off getting it for a couple of months until I eventually picked one up in the PO after work one day.

And who should call at my door that very evening...

I hope you told him where to shove it*.....





*through your male box of course

Rb

Regardless of whether or not we have a TV licence, in our house myself, herself and the housemate have a very strict rule of not answering the door unless we're expecting someone so even if he/she did drop by, they wouldn't even be acknowledged.

nevaeh-2die-4

Rb wrote: »

Regardless of whether or not we have a TV licence, in our house myself, herself and the housemate have a very strict rule of not answering the door unless we're expecting someone so even if he/she did drop by, they wouldn't even be acknowledged.

fair play dude ! rock on

HoorayForPeePee

I usually wait for the knock, and there will be a call if the license has expired, they're efficient enough that way.

It's easier in a small community where you know the guy calling to the door.

kikel

Called to me a few years ago, didn't have a TV licence, but didn't have a TV either. :D:D:D

Went out and bought a tv the next day. Didn't hear from them for another two years.

kieranmcg1

Im a student they called to our place a few weeks back wasnt expecting them at all people who lived there last year told us not to bother getin one becuase they send u a load of letters but never actually come to ur door so we didnt pay the letters came and so did the inspector . so they gave us a card that we pay so much every week r so . load of crap if u ask me!

giggsy664

Just tell them you don't speak English because you're from Barbados

ejmaztec

Just dribble a bit and ask him if he wants to come in for some chianti and fava beans while you look for your licence.

Holsten

Nope.

AlkalineAcid

In my first month of college an inspector came to the house we're renting and asked us if we had a tv licence. We told him that the tv wasn't ours and that we don't watch tv. Our land lord then bought a licence for us but the tv has been in the closet since his visit.

Zebra3

Hilarious story in Bandit Country about some poor bastid being sent into south Armagh after the IRA's ceasefire in 1994 looking for tv licences......

Ginger83

Had a call from an inspector when I bought my house first, I had a tv brought in but hadnt gotten round to set it up as my dad and I were putting the floors in at the time. I told him I'd get one as soon as I set it up and the git told me I was required to have one once there was a tv on the premises. Git!I just closed the door.

Had notice then after that as it was only a new estate with random houses sold once someone seen a light on every tom,dick and harry was calling selling services, this that, charity workers, window cleaners, raffle tickets, gaa clubs. Eventually got pissed off and got blinds on the windows, let family know if they are calling to phone in advance cos I dont answer the door for no-one. If they havent called its not important.

Terrontress

The moral of the story is not to buy one unless you are asked. When asked, say that you have only moved in recently and presume the landlord has it covered. Then when they write to you, buy one then.

Why should we have to pay for TV license when there is adverts on RTÉ? They are taking bloody liberties.

mikemac

Haven't bought one in years. I'm in rented accommodation so when/if I ever buy a house I'll get one.

I real needy to stop answering the door in the evenings as it's usually some charity or something else I don't want. I like this suggestion of not answering unless you're expecting someone.
I've even meet hired goons private debt collectors as the last tenants owe hundreds to UPC, Eircom. But the collectors work for some hire purchase company from some electrical retail chain. Debt worth arond 1.5k. It's getting to harassment at this stage as they demand my name at the door, they aren't baliffs or anyone offical

Inspector called at the start of December and I truthfully gave my name. Have gotten 3 letters since. I know they won't stop so I'll get one next month, after my salary comes.

zuroph

first time he called we told him we'd just moved in. second time he called he asked my name, i gave him the name from the uncollected post of the last tenant. several letters arrived. third time he called, dozy b1tch i was house sharing with gave him my name. then i moved out.

next house i was in, a new licence arrived in the post for us! apparently previous tenant had renewed but forgotten to update her address!!

bought new house last april, will not buy licence until i absolutely have to, once they have me on the database theres no getting out of it. will probably try the fake name thing again.

Ginger83

The only person you are obliged to give your name to is a cop if he/she is standing at your door. As for the rest simply slam the door, as far as you are concerned they are trespassing on your property.
I wouldnt even bother answering the door, if I am not expecting a package and have not received a phone call no-one of importance to me is looking for me. The only people that have my consented permission to cross my front boundary are the esb meter guy and the postman.
As for the rest, the lights are on, I am home but i aint wasting my energy to get up and tell you I aint interested in signing up to this to help that, feed him or home them. When I want to do my bit for people I will in my time and not be pressured into it.

tman

Had a close call once, I was just leaving the flat and he asked if could see my TV license, just said "Sorry, I'm on my way out" and walked off:p
Got a license after that anyway, but didn't bother renewing it this year... my new flat was set up so that that they couldn't possibly know if I had a tv without going inside, and they have no rights whatsoever to enter the premises... (imo anyway)

Richard

giggsy664 wrote: »

Just tell them you don't speak English because you're from Barbados

The official language of Barbados is English!

In answer to the original question, we got caught without a licence once. We just got one and heard no more.

mikemac

Richard wrote: »

The official language of Barbados is English!

You've obviously not seen the current ad that RTE run on this subject, I think the joke was lost on you

Sam Vimes

nevaeh-2die-4 wrote: »

i got a visit i was caught out, its due again next month tbh i wont be paying this time end of story.

im living in rented property when i buy my own house i MIGHT get one.

if they come knocking again im going to tell them i dont have one, i dont even watch the ****n thing i play the xbox on it the odd time, they can smell my helmet if they think there getting 160euro off me in 09

It doesn't matter if you only play xbox on it, if you have a device that's capable of receiving a telegraphic signal you have to pay the license. Apparently you even have to pay if your tv is broken but repairable

Also, if you keep refusing to pay it'll probably a large inmate called butch who's smelling your helmet

mumhaabu

Would a PC monitor or other display screen be covered that can receive nothing on its own without a Sky Box or tuner box for DTT freesat etc?

galwayrush

mumhaabu wrote: »

Would a PC monitor or other display screen be covered that can receive nothing on its own without a Sky Box or tuner box for DTT freesat etc?

I think they changed the law here to include anything that can be used to receive a TV signal.

Nightwish

In Dublin, he called around a few times, we just hid in the back. Got caught here last year though. We dont answer the door here as anyone we know walks in to the house, but I was expecting someone and answered the door. I just said I had just moved in (Which I had) and showed him the lease. I asked for directions to the PO to try give the impression that I wasnt from Kilkenny. He was sound and gave me 4 weeks to buy one. Saying that...I havent renewed it as I really cant afford it.

Quackles

Yup.. a few months after we moved into the current house (new estate) we got a call. We'd had a license from the old house, still had it on us, just got it transferred to the new address. Never heard from them since. They definitely have a database and only hit addresses with no license showing against them, though.

Hank Scorpio

how much is the licence neways?

celtic lady

Licence is €160. I have litterly only moved in. Boxes in hallway and he called by. Gave me 10 weeks to get one.

newmills

Only €160 a year - that's a bargain when you consider the quality of programmes on the 2 rte channels. Some show on tonight with someone who used to be in a pop band telling other "wannabes" what he thought of their acting/singing/dancing etc. Absolute muck of the highest order - and even though we aren't forced to watch it we are forced to pay for it!!:mad:

MIN2511

No ****ing way.... No one has called yet


I learnt that it's per tv, we have two in the gaff that means 320 per year-NO WAY!