Do I have the right to open any mail which comes to my home?

superstylin

Hi

I had no idea where to put this in the forum so if there's a more suitable place then let me know!

Simple one I suppose. Do I have the right to open any mail that comes to my address? I recently received a letter at my address with 'debt collection' written on it for the attention of my ex, who moved out 8 months ago. I could have simply passed it onto the ex, who I'm still in contact with, but because I feel like I should be aware of any debt that might be linked to my home (and I'm pretty sure the ex wouldn't let me know about it), I opened it.

I did let the ex know about the letter, at which point they blew up stating it was illegal to open other people's mail. I can understand that they would not want me to know anything about their finances (I wouldn't go opening bank statements for instance) but I feel like I have a right to know what's going on with my property and it's credit history. Right or wrong?

carlamagee

i dont know for definite - but if it was me, i wouldnt open the mail. simply request a credit scoring and see what happens there. if u think it is affecting your own credit score, then i would have a serious word with ex

superstylin

Is there such a thing as a credit score/history for a property? or would that appear on my own credit report?

Pixiechic

I understand your concern about debt on your home but I believe that your ex is right in that it is illegal to open anyone's personal mail. I think it would be better for you if you either sent the letter back to the debt collecters advising them that he is no longer at the address and that the debt has nothing to do with you. Or, if you wanted to, you could advise them of where he is living now as the debt collecters will probably still chase your address if they don't have another one for him.

poorandindenial

I am pretty sure it is illegal to open post that is addressed to someone other than you.

The debt isn't linked to your address, it belongs to the person named (debt is no longer address based so it wouldn't affect you unless you have joint debts) it is just that the company have the wrong address. You can either return to sender or forward to your ex.

poorandindenial

superstylin wrote: »

Is there such a thing as a credit score/history for a property? or would that appear on my own credit report?

Your credit report is for you, his is for him. The property based credit report doesn't happen any more. If you are worried that you have linked finances that may be affected, just request copies of your credit report from the three big credit reference agencies (call credit, equifax and experian)

some of these do free trials of online services, just remember to cancel before charges kick in and never pay more to get your 'score' as it doesn't really tell you anything.

ETA: how to get your credit report: http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/topic_specific_guides/credit.aspx

evelyn-b_2

No, it's not illegal to open mail once it's been delivered to your home. Opening it while it's in transit is quite a different matter!

Lotus-eater

Contrary to popular belief I don't believe it is illegal to open someone elses mail addressed to your property. See
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=18079485&postcount=10
But there is no point in doing it for no reason. Just ring the debt collectors, give the new address and ask them what they want you to do with the letter.

bylromarha

If it isn't address to you (you, not your house's address) then you're breaking the law by opening it. I can appreciate why he blew up.

I can also understand why you did open it - I'm sure you've already made sure everything financially in joint names has had your ex's removed from the account? if so, then any further letters that state "Debt collection" on the envelope, return to sender, or even better, call the company and let them know your ex no longer can be found at your address and ensure they update their records with his current address. make a note of date of call and who you spoke to.

superstylin

This is the response I've been getting from friends. Some say it's legal and others not.

At least if debt is not linked to property any more then I have no need to worry about my home, thankfully we never had joint finances so I don't need to worry about my credit scoring.

I guess from now on i'll return to sender if there's a return address or I'll forward the mail on.

thank you everyone

maggied_2

I believe you can open mail once it has been delivered - it's when it's in transit that it's illegal.

Bylromarha - I had to do this with my XH. I had letter coming from a debt collection agency which I eventually opened. When I looked into it there were some joint records on my credit report from when we were thinking about moving house and he had sought a quote in both our names which then appeared on the report as linking us.

I called the company and when they said I was the only contact I happily passed on his parents' details....