Previous house owners had serious debt - bailiffs threatened

[alp360]

My partner and I have just recently (Feb 06) purchased a new house and since moving in we have been faithfully returning all post addressed to the previous occupants to sender. When we purchased the house we did not meet the owners as it had previously been rented and we have not been given a forwarding address so we have not been able to forward any mail.

A couple of weeks ago we tired of constantly relabelling mail "RTS" and opened a couple of letters assuming they were junk mail. Around 1 in three letters which arrives is notification of debt of the previous owners/occupiers ranging from store cards, to business accounts, loans and credit cards in arrears and several have threatened legal action and even bailliffs. Where possible we have contacted the companies to confirm the new ownership however the letters continue to arrive.

Is there anything we can do to remove all association of the previous owners from our home? Our concern is that we will have bailiffs round to see us and that it may seriously affect our credit ratings if they are linked to the previous owners.

Can anyone help??

[CheekyChops]

I wouldn't woory too much, I bought my house 3 years ago and did the same as you at first, returned all letters. Some didnt have a return address on though so I opened them. Lots of them were threatening to send bailiffs round but as yet, none have appeared.

If they do turn up, as long as you have proof of ID to show that you are not the person they are after (and possible something to show when you purchased the house) you should be ok.

It shouldn't affect your credit rating as it goes on a name these days, not address.

[themas]

1. A lot of this type of letter is a threat to try to get payment, but sometimes the threat does materialise.
2. They can't send bailiffs unless they first get a County Court Judgement, but they can do this by using the last known address - so the debtor doesn't necessarily know it has been done.
3. Keep the evidence the previous post suggested ready to hand to show to bailiffs if any do come, but do not let them in. They cannot come in by force on a first visit or push past you at the door, but could come in if a door or window is left open.
4. I know of a similar case, where the bailiff asked for identity and wanted to write down details of the house owners credit card! So don't show them anything with account numbers etc. There is no reason why they should write down your details anyway.
5. If anyone comes, make sure you see and note down their identity - including the company they work for.

[alp360]

Thank you both for your responses, reassuring to know that they cannot enter without at least a CCJ. Surely the electoral role would be updated to reflect teh new ownership?

Regardless, if there is any further development I will post on here, but thanks again for letting me know.

[oldhenry]

Do not let anyone in your house anyway!
but be polite through the door/window and tell them that the people have left and that is it. The debtor will have to find where they have gone. Finished. Your are the owner of the house NOT the debts , they belong to the last occupants.
I am assuming that the solicitors made sure that there was no charge on the house before you bought it.

[alp360]

There is no direct charge on the house in the way of secured loans, everything is unsecured ie store cards, credit cards, business accounts etc etc.