Previous Owners Post

[jw47]

I moved to present address last June (previous owners moving back to Portugal) However I am still getting post for a business that they possibly run from here. I accidently opened one (at Christmas time with lots of other post) It came from Lloyds Bank apparently they owe some money. I took this letter into the bank where I was told off for opening it and was told they would deal with it. Still getting the same type of post. Have been crossing out my address and putting RTS on envelope and putting it back into the postal system. But today another two have arrived, Really getting fed up with this, Any advice what to do would be appreciated. Do I open, post back, take them into Bank or shred them as someone has suggested.

[mallyh]

i would write not at this address and return to sender

[Rockrose]

Do not open it is not your right to open other peoples post - write not known at this address and return to sender.

[sherrardk]

I just chuck previous occupiers post in the bin, not a big deal. You will be fed up when the bailiff’s start knocking the door.

[jw47]

Will carry on sending them back, at least it keeps the Royal Mail going

[Baldric]

Shred them.

[ummmm]

I've opened my neighbours mail by accident.

I used to open my OH's cousins mail. He used to live here and ran up debts so I opened his mail and phoned the companies involved. I knew they were debt letters.....I just gave his mums address.

[spathiphyllum]

It is a criminal offence to prevent post getting to the owner. Shredding post will come under this.

Writing does not live at address and re-posting it is probally your best, most legal option.

Unless you have agents? Then give to them.

[Eleena]

...
https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5156/~/ive-received-someone-elses-mail

[Prudie]

I can understand having to RTS for a month or so but expecting you to keep doing this for months is ridiculous. Personally I'd stop now and shred it.

[hereIam]

I assume you don't know their Portuguese address?? If so, you could always give that address to the Bank. Otherwise do as others have suggested and just shred the mail. I agree it's a pain though to keep receiving their mail !

[Peter Pedant]

the usual bovine poo on a thread such as this

//It is a criminal offence to prevent post getting to the owner. Shredding post will come under this. // - tried this - no one interested whatsoever. I was told that it was all to do with getting it to the right address ( and you cant interfere etc) and the what happens inside they dont give a toss about

RTS it - well you can if you want
firms will say they have a RTS dept and instantly set to to find.... etc. they dont of course and just send another squodge out to you

shred it - yeah and some people actually say when challenged that they had shredded it. Jesus

send on to the fella - depends on whether you like him or not

open and reply
I usually point out that I have children in the house and they opened it - or even - "I was handed this letter opened"

Bailiffs letter - see open and reply

what you dont want is an undefended CCJ to land on your lap in his name on your doorstep
this can be very inconvenient if the bailiffs come around and only children are in the house ( they let them in and they take your stuff)

so I usually write

[woofgang]

We rented our house out for a couple of years and had a similar problem of letters from finanacial institutions turning up. At first I did the not at this address thing but then after my husband died, I got more. It was around the time Piers Morgan's (IIRC) OH had her house sold by a tenant unbeknowst to her so I phoned the companies, I think there were three and explained that I was concerned that these letters were part of a similar scam. They all took it seriously and the letters stopped.

[Peter Pedant]

if you are gonna reply
then 1) say you are you
2) say where the subject is - like I dont know etc
3)say you are on the electoral role and council tax thingey and they cd have done this themselves... shows negligence if there is a later fight

and Chris above gave this template which I use every time.
thanks chris!

We will both consider any further correspondence from you or the selling on of this alleged debt to others to reflect your intention to pursue a course of conduct amounting to harassment of another which could cause mental anguish alarm and distress and as to try to coerce a payment contrary to the Administration of Justice Act 1979 and Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

date and sign

as a favverrrr I wrote and told one company the debtrix had died aged 26 ( actually verifiable if they had done the littlest thing).
About a year later, my tenant said
you know they are still writing to me ( new tenant) asking for a death certificate of your previous tenant ....

[Peter Pedant]

// We rented our house out for a couple of years//
you mean 'let' dont you?

Heir Hunters did a prog where the intestate's house - had been put in the name of the tenant ....

the last thing you want is the Bailiffs outside wanting a receipt for the cooker and deep freeze or else they will take it

[jno]

good point, woofgang, tell them something looks lilke a scam and they will pay attention.

[Peter Pedant]

// I've opened my neighbours mail by accident.//
I read the addressee now ( that would be me)
the neighbours letter was from his bank saying he was overdrawn by £26 000.
I shredded that one - gottle of geer ! gottle of geer!

[Peter Pedant]

// tell them something looks lilke a scam and they will pay attention.//
nope tried that - Tesco bank just said they couldnt discuss it b/c of data protection

I then wrote to the CEO ( chris gave the URL of a site that lists all the CEOs - thanks chris !) Benji Doodah and told him the next time it happened I would write and laugh at them

Tescos bank then lost £145m three years
and I emailed benji - Hi benji do you remember me? I said I would write and laugh at you when you....(obligingly enclosing a copy of the original

and a bag carrier at benji's office replied and said
No one here blames you for writing the second letter ..... !
Blimey !