Debt letters for previous tenant 2 Years later

marleyboy

After constantly getting letters and phone calls for a previous tenant over the past 2 years of returning them and reminding them this tenant is no longer at this address, I thought I would email them this....

In regards to yet ANOTHER letter sent to my address for a Mrs XXXXX. It seems after 2 Years that I have been living at these premises of constantly reminding you that this person no longer lives at this address, I can only assume that either you are seriously dyslexic, or that your database is so out of date, that an abacus has more of a chance of logging this.

I therefore have took this opportunity YET AGAIN to let you know that not only am I no longer prepared to remind you of such, every letter you send to MY ADDRESS will be shredded at a charge of £3.50 per letter.

I think this is quite reasonable, I will waive the previous charges out of the goodness of my heart, but do take into account, that from this moment on, each letter you insist on constantly sending to MY ADDRESS will be invoiced for and THEN shredded, I will also grant you 28 days for payment per invoice.

AM I MAKING IT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU!!!!!!

(Edited for Forum)

Do you think they will get the message????

landsberger64

If my experiences in Walthamstow are anything to go by, they ignore you and carry on phoning you/sending you bills/visiting you.

I had real problems with balliffs 'wanting to come in for a discussion' about a previous tenant's debts to various utility companies. When I told him I wasn't the person in question, had phoned, written, and faxed them and could provide him with documentary proof I wasn't the person in question, he responded "Oh come on Mr McFarland (the name of the debtor), I wasn't born yesterday". It took a solicitor's letter to finally get them off my back.

It obviously all depends on the company with the debt and the company they sell it to.

cyberbob

Marleyboy wrote:

I think this is quite reasonable, I will waive the previous charges out of the goodness of my heart, but do take into account, that from this moment on, each letter you insist on constantly sending to MY ADDRESS will be invoiced for and THEN shredded

Technically under the Regulation of investigatory powers act 2000 it's illegal to open or destroy hide or open mail that is addressed to someone else. You have stated that you will do this in writing. No I don't think anything will come of you saying that but just thought you should know.

I normally just collect all ours and put it in one big envelope (without a stamp) and drop it in the post box addressed back to the company. Then at least they get a charge for not enough postage. Eventually they realise it's costing them money.

wealdroam

Why not just ignore these letters.

They cannot harm you.

If you feel the need to do something, what about using harassment laws.

shaun_from_Africa

The Regulation of investigatory powers act 2000, covers the interception of mail (and other communications) during their delivery and not after their delivery.
As Royal mail are contracted to deliver to a particular address and not a person, once the letter in question has been received at the correct address, the RIP act wouldn't apply.

Opening delivered mail addressed to another person is specifically covered by the "Postal services act 2000", and this allows you to open mail for others provided that you have a reasonable excuse to do so. (and I think that the OP has a good reason to open the letters).

Section 84 of the act.

(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.

j2011

Actually where does the OP say that they will open the letter before shredding it?

tamarto

wealdroam wrote: »

Why not just ignore these letters.

They cannot harm you.

If you feel the need to do something, what about using harassment laws.

Why when it's far more fun this way?

Does something have to harm you now before you take action?:eek:

shaun_from_Africa

Actually where does the OP say that they will open the letter before shredding it?

Unless there is something like "This envelope contains a debt letter" printed on the outside, it's pretty certain that they have already opened at least one of the letters. (and to be honest, I would have done the same)

caz2703

I raised this same topic and was told to just a. ignore the letters or b. return to sender if I could be bothered.

We occassionally get post for the previous tenant when we've lived her over 3 years. Most times it's debt letters for which we contact the company directly to allow them to correct their database. Unfortunately Next haven't taken this on board and we're still getting stuff on their behalf.

I doubt the OP will get anywhere but it's nice to vent none the less :rotfl:

Freddie_Snowbits

marleyboy wrote: »

do you think they will get the message????

no, you're shouting