use of my address by non-resident

missile

I am well aware that interfering with the mail is a serious offence.

AFIK, after it is delivered it is no longer considered

<sebb> wrote: »

in the course of its transmission by post

and thus OP could not be prosecuted for openning mail delivered to his address.

Jowo_2

When was the last time anyone was prosecuted for opening a previous tenants mail and informing the debt collectors that they no longer lived there?

<sebb>

missile wrote: »

I am well aware that interfering with the mail is a serious offence.

AFIK, after it is delivered it is no longer considered and thus OP could not be prosecuted for openning mail delivered to his address.

If you read my original post you will see that I neither agreed or disagreed with your original statement. I simply posted the legislation so that there would be no further need for debate or guesses on what was or wasn't legal about opening the lodger's mail.

missile

<sebb> wrote: »

If you read my original post you will see that I neither agreed or disagreed with your original statement. I simply posted the legislation so that there would be no further need for debate or guesses on what was or wasn't legal about opening the lodger's mail.

OK :A

I read your post as this is the applicable legislation. I would suggest that after mail is delivered that legislation is no longer applicable.

FYI, I have no legal training and my opinion is merely ..... my opinion.

Sammy85_2

Back to the original problem...

I would write/phone the debt collectors and inform them of the debtors contact details. If you get any more post for him just write "not known at this address" and stick it back in the post box.

Catblue

I would also pass on the bloke's work address and as many details as I had about him.

He's already skipped out on you while you were away - time he faced up to his responsibilities.

Be very careful about allowing strangers from the internet into your home in future. Make sure that you check them out carefully. This should include checking with previous landlords, credit checks, employer references.

GDB2222

The two relevant parts of the legislation are:

(1) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he—
(a) intentionally delays or opens a postal packet in the course of its transmission by post, or

This does not apply once the post has been delivered.

(3) A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.

This does not apply as the OP is not acting to the person's detriment.

zappahey

GDB2222 wrote: »

(3) A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.

This does not apply as the OP is not acting to the person's detriment.

And it has been delivered to the address on the envelope, so the delivery is not incorrect.

RacyRed

I had bailiffs turn up looking for a previous occupant after I'd been sending back post marked "no longer at this address" for years.

I was advised by a solicitor to open future mail received at my address, write to the sender stating clearly that the person the letter was addressed to was no longer at the address on their records and make it clear that any further attempt to contact them at this incorrect address would be viewed as harrasment of the current occupant. Send the letters by registered post.

It worked where ordinary letters, phone calls and sent back post did not.

Don't ignore this, it can become a nightmare.

RobertoMoir

<sebb> wrote: »

Here is the relevant section from the Postal Services Act 2000
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2000/ukpga_20000026_en_8#pt5-pb1-l1g84

Not really relevant at all. The package/post isn't in transit once its arrived the the address printed on it, and there's reasonable grounds to open up post addressed to your house if it looks like an overdue bill and you're worried debt collectors may call.