Old lodger has ran up debts & wont pay!

mrstinchcombe

mrs:optimist wrote: »

I thought opening someone else's post was an offence but maybe I have got the wrong end of the stick?

No, opening someone else's mail is NOT an offence.

Interfering with mail - Postal Services Act 2000 Section 84

(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
(b) intentionally opens a mail-bag.

Therefore once its delivered, ie lands on YOUR doorstep, you can open it. Obviously you commit other offences if you do things with the information thats illegal but the OP is fine.

ixwood

Write "Not at this address. Return to sender", cross your address out and put them in a post box.

Or give them a ring and explain.

Verbatim

Do it online



Apply for a Crisis Loan (form SF401)

Heres the link for applying online but I don't know if you'd qualify. It's to meet short term needs following a crisi but have a look.
I'll have a look for the Halifax.

Glittermonkey

The house I live in was a shared house and 2 of the people left here leaving loads of debts.

I sent everyting back with "Not living at this address" on it. I had 2 debt collectors turn up and I just had to show my passport to prove I wasn't the girl in question and they never bothered coming again.

It took ages but eventually they stopped sending letters. I doubt it affected my credit rating, I still managed to get new bank accounts, credit cards etc. (In a way I wish it had affected me, I may not owe as much then :rotfl:)

DarkConvict

The law on opening post is that it should not be in detriment to the person it is intended for, if post was delivered and it contained a cheque/cash which you cashed that was not meant for you, then that's illegal and also theft.

Since your tenant has left the country and you cannot forward on the post, their is no detriment to opening any post that arrives.

Poosmate

I had a lodger who racked up debt in her name and also applied for credit in her sister's name! The cheek of it!

I just sent all of her post back to the senders by writing on the envelope "No longer at this address". It was years ago so not sure how long it took to sink in and stop but I do still get the occasional DCA letter for my ex lodger.

One thing I would advise is to make sure she is removed from the electoral role at your address (if she was ever on it). I believe lenders look more favourably upon you if you're on the electoral role at the address you put on your application form when applying for credit.

Hope that helps.

Poo

muskoka

I had to disassociate myself with someone who had been living at my address. I contacted the agencies by phone i.e. Experian, etc who (if I remember rightly) told me to just write to them confirming that I wanted to disasociate myself & why & they did. There were no further problems with anyone after that. It was very simple. Not complicated at all

fatbelly

It's always worth checking your credit files.

And if you're smart you can get paid for doing so

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score#files

but for the past few years the credit reference agencies have not been allowed to assume an association by address alone. You can only be associated if you have (or have applied for) a joint financial product with that person. Usually bank account or loan. The rules on this did change but I can't remember when - about 5 years ago?

Deep_In_Debt

When my lodger did a "moonlight flit" some years ago, leaving debts behind, I just did what others have suggested and sent the post back saying "no longer at this address". I did get bailiffs turn up once as he had an unpaid parking ticket and I just explained that he was no longer at this address and they just wanted to come in and check he'd left nothing behind that they could take to service the debt. They did check, promised that they would take nothing of mine and left - never heard anything more and that was 10 years ago.

My credit rating was not affected.

inneedofadvice154

I have just recently discovered my lodger has debt that I do not believe he has any intention of trying to pay back how will this effect me? The first inclination anything was wrong when I had balifs come to collect a fine(this was paided in full on the day by my lodger). He has lived with me for just over a year and other than the debt he is the perfect lodger. I relay on the money to keep my head above water so do not want to have to throw him out.