Debt collectors for previous tenant

TheGoober87

We had a letter hand delivered through the door for a previous owner that the debt collectors had been round but no-one was in. It also said that they would take the car off the drive if it was there next time and no-one was in.

Mr other half has binned the letter by mistake so I can't contact the company. Surely there can't just take a car off the drive? It's registered in my name. Obviously if I'm here then I'll speak to them and explain to them that the person they are after wasn't even the previous tenant, it was the ones before.

If they do take my car I'm gonna kick up a right fuss. What would be the best way to deal with it? I presume police would be the first point of call and report it as a theft. Might even sue for the stress caused!

debt_doctor

What debt are they actually chasing for?

DD

TheGoober87

I don't actually know. We've had loads of letter through to door addressed to these tenants. It's not the name of the people we brought it from, so I presume it's the previous ones. We've just been return to sender them. They are from all sorts of companies though, Direct line, magazine companies, all sorts.

This one was hand delivered though so they must have been round. It's nothing to do with me.

debt_doctor

Well, if it's a standard credit debt they would have to thake you to the County Court, obtain a CCJ, you default on the CCJ and then instruct bailiffs to seize goods to obtain the car. - That is of course if it was you who owed the money!
So to claim "we'll take the car" in writing is rather daft and well worthy of a formal complaint and complaint to the ombudsman.

DD

TheGoober87

Seems a lot of hassle considering it's nothing to do with me. We only moved in here the start on January. The only debt I have is my mortgage and the 2 months we've had it, I've overpayed it.

Surely the previous owners debt has nothing to do with me. Especially as the previous owner brought the house, did it up then sold it on. I don't know the debt collectors number, but is there anyone I can ring or speak to to sort this out.

If my car disappears over the next few days it will be getting reported as a theft and I will get a solicitor.

debt_doctor

Yes, you're quite right, as without lawful authority, theft is exactly what it would be.
DD

PippaGirl_2

The exact same thing happened to me at my last house, they were looking for the owners of the property where I was the tenant. Bailiffs came and left a letter stating they would seize the car registration number blah blah blah that was my car. My floating support worker telephoned them and they assured her they always check with the DVLA who is the owner of a car on a drive before taking it so there is no way it would have been taken.
HTH

At a previous house which we owned we had baillif visits looking for previous tenants (it had been let to students) and I just showed them paperwork proving I had bought the house on such and such a date and they apologised and left us alone after that. So if you can catch them next time and prove your purchase and the date they will note that and the visits and letters should stop.

shonzyd

they would never take your car unless the car is secured against the debt i.e hire purachse agreement etc... as this debt has nothing to do with you there is no chance.

It happened to me about 5 years ago. I got a hand delivered note with my number plate written on it saying they were taking my car for a debt that was to do with the previous tenant. they do this purely to scare you. obviously they had no idea who i was, but once i told them the person doesnt live here that cleared the matter up.