Tenant from Hell.....Help!!!

tractor_girl_4

I had a tenant live in my property for a couple of months back in 2007 - he did not use my address for anything other than a BT line. I had to evict him and since then I have received 100's of correspondence for him. Initially I stuck by the book and returned all the letters to sender explaing that he no longer lived there (sometimes 30 letters a week!!). Things improved slightly but continued and I then received 'notes' delivered by hand asking him to call a number urgently. I ended up calling these people and having to open his letters as it transpires he owes in excess of £30k!! I have now rented my property but the letters (from debt recovery agencies) continue and I don't want my great tenants hassled. I have asked for their advice but they are really unhelpful. I have sought legal advice but there appears to be little I can do. I was wondering if anyone had similar experiences and what they did? My lawyer has also advised me to check my credit rating as this may be affected by him!! Would really appreciate your feedback.

markelock

I can't believe a solicitor would suggest your credit rating would be damaged?

the tenant amassed the debt, and they owe the debt. it's nothing to do with you.

I would either stop replying to the requests, or draft a generic letter stating that the tenant lived there for a period, does not live there now, nor do you know where they have gone to.

If they fail to leave you alone, you will be forced to take matters further against them for harrassment?




Mark

cem

I had one of these, Returned ALL letters (without exception) with clearly written 'Undelivered - Person does not live here'

Few got back asking if I know where he lives (including council) to which I politely replied No and that was that..started from about 10 letters a day to now 5 a week.

Don't make the mistake of trying to help these companies, it will not damage your credit report or anything. Put it this way, if the tenant did a runner owing you rent and the council re-housed them, would the council ever tell you where they live so you can persue them for arrears?

vikingaero

tractor_girl wrote: »

I had a tenant live in my property for a couple of months back in 2007 - he did not use my address for anything other than a BT line. I had to evict him and since then I have received 100's of correspondence for him. Initially I stuck by the book and returned all the letters to sender explaing that he no longer lived there (sometimes 30 letters a week!!). Things improved slightly but continued and I then received 'notes' delivered by hand asking him to call a number urgently. I ended up calling these people and having to open his letters as it transpires he owes in excess of £30k!! I have now rented my property but the letters (from debt recovery agencies) continue and I don't want my great tenants hassled. I have asked for their advice but they are really unhelpful. I have sought legal advice but there appears to be little I can do. I was wondering if anyone had similar experiences and what they did? My lawyer has also advised me to check my credit rating as this may be affected by him!! Would really appreciate your feedback.

I think your lawyer needs to go back to law school.

Easiest way to deal with this:

1. Type one generic letter and photocopy it. Explain the situation in the letter. Tell them you want the mail to cease forthwith as you consider it to be harassment. Enclose a copy of the tenancy agreement (just the main page). Tell them if you know where the former tenant has gone.

2. Open the former tenants mail and send one copy of the letter by recorded delivery along with the original letter.

3. Log all further mail and mark it Return to Sender.

4. Ignore all people on here who wrongly state that it is an offence to open mail addressed to other people - they are wrong. It is only an offence if you open the mail to gain pecuniary advantage.

The reason you need to send a copy of a tenancy is that most debt collection agencies will ignore letters marked return to sender as it is the oldest trick in the book to avoid debt.

LOUY_2

I have a property which I rent to students.
I have been recieving these letters for a very long time.

Some of the letters that I receive at the property are of people also before my time.

I am absolutely certain that whenever I return the letters, the companies and debt agencies just ignore them. I have been telling the same companies for a very long time that the people no longer live at the address.