Previous tenants financial issues

[Binky]

We moved into our rented accommodation at the end of December 2004.  The previous tenants left without making final payment for some of the utlity services and also have not changed the registered address for their car so we have demands for driving fines arriving.  This is causing problems and the latest is a debt collector for the gas provider is threatening to send someone to our property to reclaim the money or items to it's worth.  How can we stop this happening!  They already know that we have a new gas account dating from December.

[Loosehead]

How do you know? Have you openned their mail? You should return the mail unopenned to the return address, marked with "NOT KNOWN AT THIS ADDRESS" and "SENDER: PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RECORDS". If you open them this encourages debt collectors etc to think that the perons they are after is still around. May also be worth talking to citizens advice.

[Binky]

The letter from the debt collecting agency was just marked as To the Occupier.  We have been returning everything unopened and marked with not known at this address but the companies (and you can tell from the outside of the envelope who these are) keep sending the reminders!

[Sammy Snake]

The people who are owed money basically have to send demands etc. to a persons last known address.  They may be aware that the person no longer lives there, but are still required by law to send their demands to that address.

Basically, if and when baliffs arrive, as long as you can prove (with passport or driving licence or something) that you are not the person that they are after, you should be ok.

I am in exactly the same situation, I am receiving letters from debt collection agencies addressed to the people I bought my house off 18 months ago.  There is no 'return' address on the envelope for me to 'return to sender' so I have to open it!

[Loosehead]

I see Binky.

Sammy is correct, when the bailiffs show up, just show them some Id. If you know where the previous occupiers went then tell them and that'll get them off your back as well.

[Binky]

Thanks Guys

Unfortunately I don't know where the previous tenants went.  They didn't leave a forwarding address either with the letting agent or the owner!  Funny that!  If we are out, I presume a baliff has no right to break in or anything like that?  I think I will ask our letting agent for a letter explaining that we are not the previous tenants.

Thanks

[Didwot]

Bailiffs do not have the power to force entry, but would be entitled to enter through an unlocked back door, open window. If the bailiffs were to turn up then you would not have to let them in. If an energy supply company wanted to gain entry to disconnect your supply they would have to get a court order.

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Hi There

Personally i would kick up a fuss with the companies sending the letters.  I would also advise putting a note in your window/on door telling 'visitors' that Mr/Mrs XXX have moved and you have no knowledge of their whereabouts. 

Also contact the credit companies (Equifax and Experian) and get a report and then 'dis-associate' yourself with the previous tenants if you need to.

Do not open anything, this is illegal, return to sender as soon as you receive anything.  They get the message eventually. 

Its true a bailiff can enter your property if a window or door is open which is why I advise putting a note in your window and also giving details of your LL so they can verify that you are not the people they are after.