Previous tenant claiming benefits

Irn-Bru-Kid

My son is renting a place and it seems the previous tenant is claiming benefits at the address.

He has been there for almost four months and letters just keep coming from DWP and the local council for the guy who moved out.

Although I told him not to, he opened a couple of the letters. One was from the council for housing benefit, the other about signing on. There has been about 5 or 6 letters that he has returned to sender.

Should he be concerned? Its the housing benefit thing that is worrying him as he works and does not claim any kind of benefit.

I think he should just leave it alone and return any letters he receives. He thinks he should phone the council.

All advice greatly appreciated.

Valli

Don't worry - he hasn't broken any law by opening the letters.

If I were him I would send a letter to the senders stating that he has lived at the address since (date) and that the addressee is no longer resident there.

But, to be on the safe side I would keep a copy of the letters I sent;) By writing instead of phoning he is covering himself in the future.

I would be more concerned if the letters arriving at his were letters regarding unpaid/outstanding debts just in case they sent the bailiffs in.

GoToGal

Return to sender - moved away on the envelopes. Councils will pick it up their end.

Irn-Bru-Kid

Valli wrote: »

Don't worry - he hasn't broken any law by opening the letters.

If I were him I would send a letter to the senders stating that he has lived at the address since (date) and that the addressee is no longer resident there.

But, to be on the safe side I would keep a copy of the letters I sent;) By writing instead of phoning he is covering himself in the future.

I would be more concerned if the letters arriving at his were letters regarding unpaid/outstanding debts just in case they sent the bailiffs in.

Thanks for the advice. There are plenty of debt letters coming in and he has had two collectors at the door for the previous tenants as well. But he has nothing to worry about there has he?

PippaGirl_2

Nope, I've had baillifs come several times, for cars on drives they always check the DVLA register to see who the vehicle is registered with before removing and each time someone has come to the door I have just evidenced who I am and that I am now the tenant and they all go away. Once they left a letter for me to pass on to my landlord who was the person they were after on that occasion (other occasions its been previous tenants) but usually they go away to research where the person has gone who they are after. You're fine.

Irn-Bru-Kid

Thanks guys. I will pass on your comments

BigAunty

Debts go against the person, not the address - his credit record should never be affected by other debtors that live/have lived at the property.