PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.

Previous owners debt now causing us problems

Hi,

I have just moved into a property that we bought from a developer, who in turn bought it as a repossession and we are continually getting the repossessed owner's demand letters etc. I have been writing 'No longer lives at this address' etc & returning to senders unopened, but now I've had bailiffs round whilst I've been at work! Luckily the house is shut up tight, but when I've sent the bailiff company proof of purchase & council tax bill they are now telling me it takes 7-10 days to sort & call off the bailiffs!

I work full time and I'm terrified that more bailiffs may turn up for all the other debts (I think they run up the majority of the country's national debt) and I just don't want a) my new neighbours to think it's for us and b) I just want them all to stop chasing us!

I have redirected our post from our previous address so is there a way to block the previous owners post? What's the best way to deal with this type of thing? There's just so much debt outstanding for them and any time I ring these companies they say they can't deal with it as I'm not the person on the account so it's data protection! Just can't win!

Any help would be appreciated!
«1

Comments

  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 35,187 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Bailiffs have no right to enter your house and if they were to do any damage (can think of one instance when this has been reported on here in the last 4 years) they have to compensate. That was actually a car left in the drive whilst the OP was on and extended holiday.
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • twink22
    twink22 Posts: 239 Forumite
    We have this at our current rented property, bailiffs did stop turning up after I called the companies to explain it wasn't us, however lots of letters have started to come for the previous tenant again lately so maybe they've sold the debts on and it's back to square one? I'm guessing they can't take anything without proof of ownership though, they didn't touch our car that was on the drive when they came and we weren't in.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    They are not chasing you, they are (quite rightly) chasing the previous owners.

    They cannot come in without your consent.

    I'm sure the neighbours are well aware what happened to the previous occupants!

    Whilst annoying, it is nothing to worry about.

    Keep photocopies near the door to show any bailiff who does turn up:
    * The property Title document showing you now own the property.
    * Your passport/driving licence for ID

    This will confirm to them that you are not the person they seek, and that the person no longer lives there.

    It willall stop eventually but is no more than a nuisance in the meantime.

    Your own credit rating will be unaffected.
  • Mr_Moo_2
    Mr_Moo_2 Posts: 320 Forumite
    What G_M says, we had this early on in our current rental, from which the previous tenant had done a runner. Once you explain who you are and why you're there, they will move on. All the Bailiffs we had round were fine about this. Died off after a couple of months.
  • ognum
    ognum Posts: 4,879 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Go exactly as GM says, this happened to my daughter, it took a coyle of weeks to sort out plus her neighbour was still in contact with the old owners so she text them and they were very embarrassed.
  • BitterAndTwisted
    BitterAndTwisted Posts: 22,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Debt collectors will continue to visit the property every time the debt is sold on, sometimes for a penny in the pound. This could go on for years.

    No debt collector would pay any attention to phone calls or letters returned, as it could be the debtor doing that.

    In your position I would make a lot of photocopies of your title document, open every letter that arrives addressed to the previous occupants, and write back enclosing their letter with a copy of your title document. This method might be a lot quicker than dealing with every individual debt collector who turns up on your doorstep but all of them are sceptics and used to dealing with complete and utter liars.

    But being a debt collector or calling yourself a bailiff still does not give you right of entry or entitle you to break in.

    I doubt you will have anything to fear from the neighbours finding out about debt-collector visits to your home. I daresay they are well aware of the previous repossession. It would be almost impossible not to have known about it.
  • hamster2013
    hamster2013 Posts: 245 Forumite
    its usually as simple as calling who the bailiff is enacting upon to resolve the issue
    i have had to do it on various occasions
    it could most simply be the council tax department
  • Thank you all for your replies some of your comments have been so helpful!

    Bitterandtwisted - I like your thinking about sending photocopies I think that may be the only way forward. These companies just won't speak to you on the phone anymore.

    I just wish there was an easier way for home owners to register that they are new owners of a previous bad debt property. I am even registered on the electrol roll. Being a credit controller I understand that these companies are frustrated & just want payment, but the bailiff company have said that if windows/doors are left open they would still gain entry and collect our belongings for the next 7-10 days until it is confirmed - surely they should put them on hold until they have confirmed (not that I'd leave my windows/doors open).

    It's more just that I can see this going on and on and on. Just so frustrating!
  • BitterAndTwisted
    BitterAndTwisted Posts: 22,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Debt-collectors say a lot of things. Much of it is untrue and just designed to alarm the debtors into paying up quietly.

    It's unlikely that they will climb through an open window when you're out but that's no hardship as you'd be closing them all to prevent a burglary while you're out at work or gone shopping anyway.

    Just don't let them in when they're on the doorstep! Close the door on them while you find your paperwork proving your identity and your ownership of the property.
  • HarryBarry
    HarryBarry Posts: 77 Forumite
    This happened to someone I know. Apparently the previous people had run up a load of debt and still even after moving out were using the address to commit fraud. This guy I know (only from the local pub so not a friend) said its brilliant, as he could now easily get away with doing the same thing while blaming it on the previous people.

    PS not advising to do this (and I wouldnt know what and how), just thought the way he "handled" this situation was funny.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.6K Life & Family
  • 256.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.