Previous owner's tenant had bad debt. Help...

chris_m

FTB-FTW wrote: »

It looks like they are though - at least one of them says they are "in possession of a liability order issued by the magistrate's court" so sounds pretty official

In that case, they are far more likely to stick to the letter of the law than a bunch of cowboys. The liability order will be for the previous occupant by name, not you. All you have to do is tell them that you aren't that person.

DVardysShadow

FTB-FTW wrote: »

It looks like they are though - at least one of them says they are "in possession of a liability order issued by the magistrate's court" so sounds pretty official

OK, that one is council tax. If you have set yourself up as new owner with the council, then the council themselves should be able to verify for you - and I think it would be quite reasonable to tell the council that as you are occupier from whatever date and there is no liability order against you, they should call their goons off.

FTB-FTW

DVardysShadow wrote: »

OK, that one is council tax. If you have set yourself up as new owner with the council, then the council themselves should be able to verify for you - and I think it would be quite reasonable to tell the council that as you are occupier from whatever date and there is no liability order against you, they should call their goons off.

That's right - it is for council tax.

We literally moved in this afternoon, so are not yet on the electoral role and have not got purchase contracts back from our solicitor yet. No real idea what (if anything) proves we own the place as yet!

As I understand it though the main thing is proving we are not the person they are chasing, and I don't *think* there is much they can do before proving you ARE that person. I think I'll just call them tomorrow and ask what we need to do to make them go away...

DVardysShadow

FTB-FTW wrote: »

That's right - it is for council tax.

We literally moved in this afternoon, so are not yet on the electoral role and have not got purchase contracts back from our solicitor yet. No real idea what (if anything) proves we own the place as yet!

As I understand it though the main thing is proving we are not the person they are chasing, and I don't *think* there is much they can do before proving you ARE that person. I think I'll just call them tomorrow and ask what we need to do to make them go away...

Lie low until your have contacted the council and have some documentation. Don't phone them, they tend not to be reasonable until they realise you are not the person they want and as they are intent on not being reasonable, they take a lot of convincing - you really don't want to bring them down on yourself. Don't let them into the house, don't sign anything. They may attempt a levy on the car - go to the DebtFreeWannabe section of the forums if you get a visit or anything happens - you will get good advice.

dlk

This really isn't anything to worry about so forget it. My old house was previously an 8 bedroom shared property so when I moved in I had numerous similar letters. I simply called the company, explained the situation and never heard from them again. Not quite sure why certain posters are scaring you with the bully boy comments and the like but they are just businesses and have no interest in hassling anyone who doesnt owe money.

spirit

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Lie low until your have contacted the council and have some documentation. Don't phone them, they tend not to be reasonable until they realise you are not the person they want and as they are intent on not being reasonable, they take a lot of convincing - you really don't want to bring them down on yourself. Don't let them into the house, don't sign anything. They may attempt a levy on the car - go to the DebtFreeWannabe section of the forums if you get a visit or anything happens - you will get good advice.

I second this advice :T

spirit

dlk wrote: »

This really isn't anything to worry about so forget it. My old house was previously an 8 bedroom shared property so when I moved in I had numerous similar letters. I simply called the company, explained the situation and never heard from them again. Not quite sure why certain posters are scaring you with the bully boy comments and the like but they are just businesses and have no interest in hassling anyone who doesnt owe money.

If you look through some old threads on the subject (and from personal experience), many debt collectors are not as reasonable as yours apparently were.

You can spare yourself the hassle by not opening someone else's mail and just return it to the sender.