Ex Flatmates Left Debts

snowdogg

Hi,

wasn't sure where to post this but hoping someone can help me find out where I stand.

I live in a shared house and a flatmate moved out a couple of months ago, since then we have been recieveing a lot of serious looking letters in her name which we have RTS since she left no forwarding address. This morning we had county court baliffs turn up looking for her, fortunately we didn't allow them access, however after calling the collection agency concerned they told us she gave our address 3 weeks ago even though this was long after she moved out.

Obviously we are all very concerned about this and I would appreciate any advice on where we stand and what we can do to sort this out

sparky76_2

Hi Snowdogg. I really would not be concerned The dept is against you ex flatmate, not the property or yourself. I recently bought my house and have had dept collectors turning up looking for the previous owner.
I know it can be a worry having dept collectors turn up, but there is nothing they can do. It's up to them now to try and locate her. Any letters that you receive, just write, Not at this address and return to sender..

gordikin

It's debt and OP has returned to sender.

WhiteHorse

Recorded Delivery letter (keep copies) to any company that writes to her looking for money. State that she hasn't lived there since whenever and that you have no forwarding address (I assume that you don't). Consider putting an announcement to that effect in the Public Notices section of the local paper (that legally 'tells the world'). Make sure that she is not on the electoral roll for your address. If she is, get her removed double quick.

Don't let any bailiffs or other debt collectors in. Even though they have now come to the wrong house, they often won't care and will grab whatever property they can, even though it has nothing to do with her. Any problems with bailiffs, call the Police.

dreamypuma

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Consider putting an announcement to that effect in the Public Notices section of the local paper (that legally 'tells the world').

Don't bother wasting your money.

WhiteHorse

dreamypuma wrote: »

Don't bother wasting your money.

Actually, it's not a waste of money. It costs relatively little for a few insertions, and means that you have 'told everyone' that the debtor has gone. If creditors then turn up and get stroppy, they look bad.

That, coupled with removing the debtor from the electoral roll (the searching of which by a creditor is a 'reasonable enquiry'), is a wise move in case of trouble.

dreamypuma

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Actually, it's not a waste of money. It costs relatively little for a few insertions, and means that you have 'told everyone' that the debtor has gone. If creditors then turn up and get stroppy, they look bad.

That, coupled with removing the debtor from the electoral roll (the searching of which by a creditor is a 'reasonable enquiry'), is a wise move in case of trouble.

I still wouldn't spend any money on it... DCAs Don't care about "looking bad"

Agree with the electoral register though as this will also make it more difficult to qualify for any further credit at your address.

DVardysShadow

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Recorded Delivery letter (keep copies) to any company that writes to her looking for money. State that she hasn't lived there since whenever and that you have no forwarding address (I assume that you don't). Consider putting an announcement to that effect in the Public Notices section of the local paper (that legally 'tells the world'). Make sure that she is not on the electoral roll for your address. If she is, get her removed double quick.

Don't let any bailiffs or other debt collectors in. Even though they have now come to the wrong house, they often won't care and will grab whatever property they can, even though it has nothing to do with her. Any problems with bailiffs, call the Police.

I doubt you can remove other people from the electoral role on request. This would be for good reasons.

dreamypuma

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I doubt you can remove other people from the electoral role on request. This would be for good reasons.

Usually at this time of year, you'll get a form addressed to the occupier, which details all those that are registered at the property. This gives you the opportunity to cross out anyone that shouldn't be listed at the property as well as add eligible voters.

Seems a bit lax (but the whole electoral system is anyway) I did it with my ex a few years ago.

unholyangel

Is the house privately owned or by local council/housing association?

I presume her name is not on any rent/council tax/utilities bills still?

WhiteHorse

dreamypuma wrote: »

I still wouldn't spend any money on it... DCAs Don't care about "looking bad".

I was thinking more of the court case that follows when they have burst in and taken the wrong property.