Previous tenant debts - are the bailiffs on their way?

MrMalkin

Hi all, not sure if this is the best place for this question but here goes

I live in a house rented from a private landlord via a lettings agency. It seems the previous tenants, 2 young gentlemen, have run up a rather large amount of debt on credit cards, loans, and other consumer credit, as well as unpaid gas and electricity bills. These two appear to have left this house with the intention of avoiding the debt.

I have been receiving letters through my door for these gents since I moved in about 7 months ago. I have been diligently writing 'no longer at this address, return to sender' on the envelopes and putting them back in the post box, however I have had return letters addressed to 'the occupier' which I have opened, to find that the sender believes that I/the previous tenants are deliberately doing this to avoid the debt. Obviously this is not the case!

Things have come to a head today. I received a large and important looking letter addressed to one of the previous tenants, opening it I discover that it was a notice from Northampton County Council to the effect that the debt was in default, and attempts may be made to retrieve the goods. I take this to mean that bailiffs are on the way.

As such, I am extremely worried and unsure what to do. The lettings agency have been completely useless and I'm not sure further pressure will make them become any less so. My lease runs until April, so skipping town myself isn't really an option. So I have a number of questions that I hope you fine minds will be able to help me with:

1. Are the bailiffs coming? Can they attempt to enter the house to retrieve goods, even though I have nothing to do with the debt? I work away from home a lot so the house is often empty, I am terrified of the thought of coming home to find my possessions taken away.

2. Can I hold the lettings agency responsible at all? Can I legally force them to take responsibility for the previous tenants' correspondence? Is it legal for me to open the mail, so I can respond to the lenders and let them know I'm not the man they're looking for?

3. Does the fact that I now live at this address mean that my own credit rating may be damaged by these goings on? I would like to buy a house in the next year or so, the last thing I need is my credit being trashed through no fault of my own.

4. Do I need to retain legal counsel? I'm already looking at doing this through a family member. What can they do for me if and when I get legal help?

I already plan to go to the lettings agency office and lay all this out for them, possibly I can threaten to terminate my contract with them and move out, or at least threaten not to renew it in April.

Many thanks in advance,
MrM

freesha

MrMalkin wrote: »

Hi all, not sure if this is the best place for this question but here goes

I live in a house rented from a private landlord via a lettings agency. It seems the previous tenants, 2 young gentlemen, have run up a rather large amount of debt on credit cards, loans, and other consumer credit, as well as unpaid gas and electricity bills. These two appear to have left this house with the intention of avoiding the debt.

I have been receiving letters through my door for these gents since I moved in about 7 months ago. I have been diligently writing 'no longer at this address, return to sender' on the envelopes and putting them back in the post box, however I have had return letters addressed to 'the occupier' which I have opened, to find that the sender believes that I/the previous tenants are deliberately doing this to avoid the debt. Obviously this is not the case!

Things have come to a head today. I received a large and important looking letter addressed to one of the previous tenants, opening it I discover that it was a notice from Northampton County Council to the effect that the debt was in default, and attempts may be made to retrieve the goods. I take this to mean that bailiffs are on the way.

As such, I am extremely worried and unsure what to do. The lettings agency have been completely useless and I'm not sure further pressure will make them become any less so. My lease runs until April, so skipping town myself isn't really an option. So I have a number of questions that I hope you fine minds will be able to help me with:

1. Are the bailiffs coming? Can they attempt to enter the house to retrieve goods, even though I have nothing to do with the debt? I work away from home a lot so the house is often empty, I am terrified of the thought of coming home to find my possessions taken away.

2. Can I hold the lettings agency responsible at all? Can I legally force them to take responsibility for the previous tenants' correspondence? Is it legal for me to open the mail, so I can respond to the lenders and let them know I'm not the man they're looking for?

3. Does the fact that I now live at this address mean that my own credit rating may be damaged by these goings on? I would like to buy a house in the next year or so, the last thing I need is my credit being trashed through no fault of my own.

4. Do I need to retain legal counsel? I'm already looking at doing this through a family member. What can they do for me if and when I get legal help?

I already plan to go to the lettings agency office and lay all this out for them, possibly I can threaten to terminate my contract with them and move out, or at least threaten not to renew it in April.

Many thanks in advance,
MrM

1 - I have no idea about, very sorry. I'm sure someone else will be aong soon to advise.

2 - Not illegal as you have opened the post to find out where to send it back to. Contray to what a lot of people believe, this is perfectly legitimate and legal. Not sure if you can hold the LA liable, again, someone else who knows better will hopefully advise.

3 - Credit rating is no longer applied to properties - so will not affect you.

4 - I would definitely speak to the CAB at least!

dotstar24

hi
if any bailiff turns up just show them your ID and tenancy agreement and tell them the previous occupants are gone...simple. they can only enter the property by 'peaceful means' ie and open door or window....and even then they won't start taking your stuff, they'll have to make an inventory of goods etc (lets say they do that when you're out, you'll be able to sort it with them in the meantime)....but all you have to do is present your tenancy agreement and id and they'll !!!!!! off. if they take any of your stuff it's theft....simples. x