Letting agency asking for forwarding address when we leave

r710

Hi,

My husband is preparing to go bankrupt but have thus far delayed to find a new rental home as our current accommodation is unsuitable.

We have managed to get a new tenancy, thankfully following only a bank status enquiry request on my account as I explained that as my husband is between jobs, all income was going through my account (I myself have a good credit rating).

Great. However, our current letting agent has sent us a form to fill in asking for our forwarding address.

Now, I feel a little uncomfortable about giving it to them, but I might be being over cautious? My husband stopped paying his creditors back in June 2011. We didn't want to go ahead with his bankruptcy until we'd moved (in case we get trapped living next to our nightmare neighbour for the next six years while it's on his credit record). Since that time we have had only one person calling personally about a debt, despite numerous threatening letters, letters giving dates they are going to call etc.

I plan to get our post redirected for a few months when we leave. Is it a good idea to return them to sender?

It will be another few months before we can afford the bankruptcy fee so imagine things may only get worse. I am a bit worried about the new tenants getting people knocking on the door, referring them to the letting agent and them passing on our new address to debt collectors etc. Is not very nice for the new tenants either (to top the fact that they will have moved next to a nightmare neighbour!)


I am guessing that the agent is asking for it so they can send on any post for us, or perhaps send us our deposit back by cheque.. It my look odd if I refuse to give it, surely?

What advice would anyone give? I'd much prefer to save the fee in relative peace without fear of anyone knocking on the door..

I'd appreciate any thoughts..

r710

Ineedaname

I would ring them up and enquire politely if the only reason they need your new address is to be able to post out a cheque returning your deposit. If this is the case then ask if they can either make an electronic transfer into your account or you can pop in to collect the cheque. You don't have to give them any reason for not providing a forwarding address and as far as I know there is no legal reason they need one.

Obviously, if they don't check the condition of the property until after you have left and handed the keys back and are worried you may have trashed the place beyond a deposit's worth of repair costs, just invite them to meet you at the property for inspection and return of keys at the same time.

Regarding forwarded post from creditors. If you are saving for BR you don't need to do anything. Don't return to sender, just file the paperwork and if any creditor makes serious mutterings about Court you can just ring them up and let them you are taking advice from the CAB and will be in touch in due course.

sniggings

a hard one but at the end of the day chances are the debtors will find your address so might as well give it to the landlord,as you say they never call so what harm can it do,and if you also get a redirection then it will stop (most Royal mail always miss some) the new people getting a load of junk mail,remember once you go BR they have no hold over you so if they do track you down you can quite safely send them to your OR cos the debts are no longer your problem and the OR will handle it all for you,remember BR is a new start so you can stop hiding now :beer:

Ineedaname

I think you've misread the question sniggings. This isn't about post BR chasing, but what to do during the period between moving house and actually going BR.

sniggings

Ineedaname wrote: »

I think you've misread the question sniggings. This isn't about post BR chasing, but what to do during the period between moving house and actually going BR.

no I understood it, if you read my reply I said "once you go BR"

Techno

Doesn't getting a forwarding address protect your old landlord (if say you hadn't paid the council tax or electricity on your last place) from being sued for any money you might owe on his property (not saying you do just sayiing that's why they need it)

sniggings

Techno wrote: »

Doesn't getting a forwarding address protect your old landlord (if say you hadn't paid the council tax or electricity on your last place) from being sued for any money you might owe on his property (not saying you do just sayiing that's why they need it)

I agree,good point,so many reasons why the landlord would want the new address apart from just wanting it to refund the deposit.

Ineedaname

sniggings wrote: »

no I understood it, if you read my reply I said "once you go BR"

I know you did, but the OP is not asking about that period of time at this point.

A forwarding address doesn't really protect the agents/landlord as any tenant leaving a property and not prepared to ensure all bills are paid are likely to give a false forwarding address! Any decent agent will take meter readings as soon as the property is empty anyway, besides which, (as far as I am aware) they are not liable as long as they can prove when the tenant moved out. Then it is up to the utility companies to track down the tenant. The landlord is only liable for when the property is empty between tenants.

I have rented many places and never been asked for a forwarding address.

sniggings

Ineedaname wrote: »

I know you did, but the OP is not asking about that period of time at this point.

.

if you know I understood the question what was the point in posting that you thought I misread the question :huh:

Ineedaname

I didn't say that, I says "I know you did" in response to you saying "once you go BR" - doh!

Point being, the OP specifically asked about the time between moving and going BR, not about the time after going BR...

sniggings

Ineedaname wrote: »

I didn't say that, I says "I know you did" in response to you saying "once you go BR" - doh!

Point being, the OP specifically asked about the time between moving and going BR, not about the time after going BR...

my answer address both,so if you know I had said "once you go BR" it still means you know I was talking about before BR and then after BR,so you still are wrong,you need to stick to helping the OP of a thread cos when you try and pick holes in other peoples answers you get your self confused,I see you have not taken me up on my offer to PM to sort out what problem you have with me,so I am left thinking you wish not to solve the issue you have,hoping this forum has an ignore option and if it does I am now placing you on my list but this forum needs all the members it can get to help people out,so I suggest you change the way to talk to people who after all are only trying to help.