Keeping & Opening Mail

[clarebear86]

My boyfirend has been staying at my house a lot in the past few months although he doesnt offically live here as his dad is demanding over �200 a month in keep which my b/f can't afford as he is at uni, because he won't pay it his dad said he can't live there until he does.

Anyways he hasn't been home since June and we phoned him last week and said would we be allowed to come round for all his mail as he needs his forms for his student loan. He said no he wasn't allowed it and that he had opened it all and would continue to do so as it was been delivered to his address he had every right to keep it and open it all. I hate the man and can't believe how petty he is.

Anyways my question is, is there anyway we can get this mail back? Is it legal to open and keep someone else's mail? going to the police seems a bit over the top but all his bank statements, wage slips, and student loan details are in his hands. Last week we changed his address to my house for future mail but we still need the mail he already has.

[david small]

What a shallow creep this guy is. He is not entitled to keep mail not adressed to him. get the post office to re-direct all mail to your b/f to you. but then you become lumbered....

[Catso]

I can't see as it's illegal to keep or open someone else's mail once it has been delivered. Think of all the stuff that gets mis-delivered, or to people who've moved. But it is a pointless, stupid and petty thing to do, especially to his own son - what does he hope to gain by it? I doubt the police would be interested. All you can do is contact whoever sent all the stuff, tell them you never received it and ask for copies to be sent.

BTW, �200 a month isn't unreasonable. An article in yesterday's Times said the average cost of student rent is �67 per week. I presume the �200 would be 'all-in'?

[clarebear86]

I agree Catso if it was "all in" at nearly 22 that would be a lot cheaper than running his own place.

However we feel �200 is unreasonable seen as it was �80 a month til child maintenance from his mum stopped for his 2 younger sisters as they both reached 18, also that doesn't include his food thats simply for the privilege of having a room in the house, which doesn't have a bed in there anymore as that got removed in a rage when he refused to pay the �200. the man is an idiot!

I find it hard to understand why he treats his kids like this but he does its a shame but we are just worried about the post as he has his bank statements and wage slips don't trust him at all.

[kempie]

Postal Services Act 2000 - Section 84

[lady_p_gold]

Why doesn't he just get his mail redirected by the Post Office from now on.

[lady_p_gold]

Oh sorry never read the last sentence derrr

[joko]

i would contact the police and ask them to accompany him to his dads in order to collect the mail - anfdtell them you are concerned for his safety - they will come with you - should only take a few minutes as the dad will likely hand them over straight away

[clarebear86]

thanks for all your answers, the man is nothing but a bully who can't stand the fact he can no longer control my boyfriend and he hates it.

today we have been into the bank and are having copies of his statements sent to us and we have re-directed his post to my address, will just ignore him from now on.

thanks again for all your advice.

[Madgirl2]

Clarebear,

For the record, it IS illegal to open someone else's mail. I know this because I know someone who received a warning from her ex husband's solicitor for opening his mail. If this toad continues to open your BF's mail, I would remind him that he's breaking the law and could be held accountable in court.........

[Catso]

I still have doubts about whether it would be illegal to open mail once it had been delivered.

kempie posted a link to the actual legislation. The relevent section would be: "A person commits an offence if...he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him".

But, the Royal Mail's commitment is to deliver to an address not an individual. So, once the letter is through the right letterbox, it is correctly delivered. No matter who it is addressed to.

And as W~M has mentioned, the perfect excuse is readily available.

As to solicitor's letters, personally I wouldn't take that as proof of any legislation. Years ago, my (now) wife had several from her ex's solicitors which plainly talked nonsense and wishful-thinking. She usually found them very amusing.

Not that I agree with your bf's father's actions in anyway - just saying it might not be illegal.