Dealing with debt from previous tenant??

sparklykarma

Hello All,

[I'm posting this here as it seems that people on this particular board have a lot of knowledge in dealing with various debt-collection bodies. As you will see, my query isn't actually about my debt so please let me know if you are aware of a different part of this site where it would be more appropriate to post.]

Basically i purchased my property in Jan 2008. It was a reposession which had been empty for some 6 months before my purchase was complete. On arrival there was a great deal of post addressed to three names. I opened the post and contacted each of the agencies involved (banks, utilities, DCA's etc) to explain that i had no knowledge of the previous tenants and nor did I have any forwarding details.

There are two companies (Lowell and Apex) which are still chasing one of the names. Whilst it is not my debt I am worried that the records of these agencies would adversely affect me as I am on electoral roll at my address..i don't know whether people like experian/equifax etc will check by address or name...

Anyway, my previous attempts at calling, or marking post 'return to sender' are clearly getting nowhere, so i've decided to write to them, enclosing a copy of their most recent communications. I've had a look through some of the other threads to get an idea of how to phrase the letter and have come up with this....:

---

To whom it may concern
RE – account reference XXXXX
I do not acknowledge any debt to your company, or any company you represent.
You have been attempting to contact a Mx XXXX at the address XXXX. I have had ownership of this property since January 2008, and it is my understanding that it had been vacant since at least August 2007. I do not know Mx XXX and have no association with him. This property was a repossession and as such I purchased it from a Mortgage Company. I do not have forwarding details for any of the previous residents.
Since January 2008 I have repeatedly sent letters back in the post to various agencies stating ‘not known at this address’ in the hope that companies involved would amend their records. After continuing to receive communication for Mx XXXX I opened a letter and made telephone contact with yourselves on 16th March 2009 advising you of the situation I have outlined above. You have continued to send letters here for his attention, and I have enclosed your most recent communications.
To conclude, I do not know Mx XXX. I have no association with him. I have no means of helping you contact him. It is erroneous to record any debt in his name against this property. If you continue to send communication to this address then I will look to raise this issue with the relevant regulatory bodies.
I would appreciate your due diligence in this matter.

---

...ok, so what do you think? I am even reluctant to print my name at the bottom of the letter (which, yes, I will be sending recorded to both companies) as I would then worry that they would log my name as somehow being associated with the debt!

I am genuinely fortunate that I have never had to deal with debt collection agencies myself, but I get the feeling they are not always to be trusted and that is why I would very much appreciate any observations/ideas you may have.
Sparklykarma x

fermi

Your credit reference file is personal to you, not an address. The previous tenant's problems should not effect your credit rating.

Strictly you shouldn't be opening post that is not addressed to you.

I also doubt your letter will have any effect.

Probably best to just persevere with the "Not known at this address: Return to sender".

Merlinexcalibur

Strictly you shouldn't be opening post that is not addressed to you.

Very good advice there. And the next sentence. Because, the next thing will be the obvious. Those agencies would then want to know why you'd opened mail which is clearly under Data Protection and chosen to write to them. You would be digging yourself into a hole for example.

If I get any debt letters I either bin them or return to sender. End of problem, not my affair and not my problem to sort out, either.

Anyway, my previous attempts at calling, or marking post 'return to sender' are clearly getting nowhere, so i've decided to write to them,

This is because you ARE writing to them. For example, how are they to know you aren't the person owing the debt? See the danger here?

I opened the post and contacted each of the agencies involved (banks, utilities, DCA's etc) to explain that i had no knowledge of the previous tenants and nor did I have any forwarding details.

Also, if this was a reposession, should not the people who used this process have dealt with these things. Only so many ways you can say to someone 'not your responsibility'. You are breaking the law BTW opening other people's mail like this. Just thought to mention that.

sparklykarma

Thanks for both your comments - it is a frustating situation to be in, and your thoughts are very welcome

Will take your advice and not both contacting them and persevere with the 'return to sender'. I've got a feeling that i was once told that putting other people's post in bin was not a good idea...but that may just be an urban myth!

Thanks for such quick responses too.

cheesedoffwithdebt

There are two companies (Lowell and Apex) which are still chasing one of the names. Whilst it is not my debt I am worried that the records of these agencies would adversely affect me as I am on electoral roll at my address..i don't know whether people like experian/equifax etc will check by address or name...

HI- your letter is fine but to be absolutely sure I would ask for a copy of your credit file- Experian will mail one to you for a couple of quid. If anything adverse is on there which concerns the previous house owners you can have a note added to your credit report, you write it- and just advise anyone checking your file, that this is not your debt, you bought a repossessed house, and that you have written to the companies involved who should remove their complaints from your record.

Bon chance!

redpete

sparklykarma wrote: »

I've got a feeling that i was once told that putting other people's post in bin was not a good idea...but that may just be an urban myth!

Worse than opening and reading someone else's mail?!