Unpaid debts linked to my address - what can I do?

[EddScott]

I bought my house from a couple in June 2013. Ever since I've received post from them and from other people whose name I don't recognise. I regularly put "not at this address" on post and put it back into the system but in some cases it doesn't work.

When one letter came last week I could see it had red warning notices through the little envelope window so decided to open it. It's an outstanding balance for a credit card.

I opened all the mail relating to this person and another person that keeps coming to my address and in both cases there are unpaid credit cards and in one case a firstplus loan of £11K in arrears.

I spoke to the previous owners who informed me that before they bought it (it was at auction and was in a poor state which I knew about) the property was let on a room basis - this I didn't know.

I've written to all the creditors informing them that these people have not lived at my address for at least 5 years and have asked for written confirmation that my address is removed from their records.

However, I'm worried that the address won't be removed and I start getting debt collector letters or my address gets blacklisted (if that even is a "thing")

Other than writing to the creditors is there any thing else I can do?

 

[ranarama]

Sign up to Experian - I think they do a free trial period. Just keep an eye on it and it'll show if there's any kind of 'black mark' against your name.

 

[DoggyX]

I'd of thought you would be fine as the debt will be linked to the people who let not the property as they never owned it they wont have been able to secure the credit against the house itself, correct me if wrong?

What you have done should be all you need to I'd of thought.

 

[dowie]

However, I'm worried that the address won't be removed and I start getting debt collector letters or my address gets blacklisted (if that even is a "thing")

Other than writing to the creditors is there any thing else I can do?

nope that isn't a thing

there is nothing else for you to do, just whack the letters back with a return to sender note on and ignore - you shouldn't technically be opening them

 

[Scottland]

As of about 8 years ago, bad credit doesn't stick to anyone else living at the same address - or indeed if they've moved on and still owe money. The only thing you can do is inform them they no longer live there, but I wouldn't worry about there being a black mark against you.

If you want you can get a free trial for one of the online credit tools (Experian/Equifax/Creation et al) to give you some piece of mind.

 

[Jono]

When I changed my phone number I got a recycled one (land line) some idiot Mr Etherington owes someone lots of money. I have no idea where he used to live (not at this address... in fact they don't even know my address, whichever clowns keep phoning up). It'll go quiet for a while if/when I tell them that no one of that name's ever lived here, go away... until someone else buys his debt then it starts again.

Joy.

Basically - it's not your debt, so just ignore.

 

[wozencl]

Nothing to worry about unless it's addressed 'To the occupier' and from the council.

Experian and Equifax offfer services that can be used to check your credit information. Your credit report will show addresses linked to you, not other people linked to your address.


P.S. You shouldn't be opening the letters.

 

[Ghosteh]

nope that isn't a thing

there is nothing else for you to do, just whack the letters back with a return to sender note on and ignore - you shouldn't technically be opening them

He has a reasonable excuse to open them though, and is legally allowed to in this case. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/c...elivery/you-re-receiving-someone-else-s-mail/

I had something similar, I kept getting an old residents bill from Scottish Power, first few that came through I crossed out the address and put Return to Sender, I still kept getting mail however. Then 1 came that was clearly a final demand, so I opened it and contacted Scottish Power informing them that the listed person was no longer at this address. Never got anything for that person from Scottish Power after that. For some reason they had a mail address different from the supply address.

 

[arknor]

I had that here and I just kept putting them back in the post box at first...

they came back a week later from royal mail LOL...

eventually they stopped coming here but if bailiffs knock just show them some ID and explain the situation

 

[EddScott]

Thank you for the replies. I didn't know the address was no longer affected by bad debts of others linked to the address. That is a big relief.

I wasn't sure what the rules were regarding opening mail. I've always given back the mail I get for the previous owners (which is typically more than I get even after 30 months!) it's just the two names I didn't recognise and the one letter I knew was some kind of demand.

Thanks again

 

[eatcustard]

You may keep getting pestered from them until they send a bailiff around, so you can then prove you are not the debtor.

So it may be best to talk to them on the phone to clear it up.