Mystery letter

swingaloo

I live in a rented property and am having trouble with a previous tenant.

She left over 2 years ago and I have since had problems with debt collectors and mail is still coming in her name. I have been sending letters back to the senders continuously. I know she has gone to live with a member of her family but don't know the address and she has never collected her mail or changed her address, even her bank statements still come here.

Now suddenly yesterday she called to say she was expecting a letter and is desperate to get it. I told her I have had nothing for the last couple of weeks and she was quite upset but wouldn't say where the letter is from.
She has been again today and was quite irate when I said nothing had arrived and she will be back Monday morning.

Now its got me thinking- what could be so important that she has to get it as quickly as possible when she hasn't bothered about any other of her mail for over 2 years. Also, if its so important why does the sender not have her new address? Im baffled and concerned.

Any ideas please?

nearlyrich

I would be sending anything back to the sender with "NOT at THIS Address since xx/xx/xxxx "clearly written on it..worst case she has applied for some credit at your address maybe a credit card. I would also make a note of any debt collectors who call and WRITE to them stating that you are renting this property since whatever date and that you have no connection with the previous tenant Ms XXX.

swingaloo

To be honest I have been doing that for over 2 years now.

She has never once some to collect mail in all that time and yesterday told me that I can just bin anything that comes for her.

But for some reason this particular letter is 'very important' and she 'must get her hands on it this weekend'. That's whats bothering me.

elsien

It's not your problem though, is it. Unless she's being a nuisance in which case just don't answer the door to her, and carry on sending the letters back as before.
I can understand you being intrigued, I probably would be, but not particularly concerned.

thecaveman

Maybe it's a love letter from an old connection? Has anything arrived yet?

Padstow

swingaloo wrote: »

I live in a rented property and am having trouble with a previous tenant.

She left over 2 years ago and I have since had problems with debt collectors and mail is still coming in her name. I have been sending letters back to the senders continuously. I know she has gone to live with a member of her family but don't know the address and she has never collected her mail or changed her address, even her bank statements still come here.

Now suddenly yesterday she called to say she was expecting a letter and is desperate to get it. I told her I have had nothing for the last couple of weeks and she was quite upset but wouldn't say where the letter is from.
She has been again today and was quite irate when I said nothing had arrived and she will be back Monday morning.

Now its got me thinking- what could be so important that she has to get it as quickly as possible when she hasn't bothered about any other of her mail for over 2 years. Also, if its so important why does the sender not have her new address? Im baffled and concerned.

Any ideas please?

Yes, refer everything to your letting agent. Job done.

Tiddlywinks

Continue to refer all letters back to the sender and advise the previous tenant that you will consider her to be harassing you if she continues to visit you.

ValHaller

I would be telling her that because of the grief from debt collectors. everything goes back to sender without exception. Plus you have no proof that she is the former tenant, so it really is not your place to make the decision to forward mail on. If there is something so important, she needs to sort it with the sender.

zzzLazyDaisy

It could be a benefits claim - I had this problem with a former lodger - was trying to claim benefits from my address whilst living with her bf at her new address. Just continue sending everything back to sender.

Brighton_belle

My first thought would be that she is likely using your address as her formal address to apply for something (if her bank statements are still going to your address after years, this will be excellent 'proof of address')
If it was something 'innocent' it would be so easy for her to explain that.
I wouldn't be happy. If she has a history of debt, she may well be setting up some other scheme using your address and you'll have to deal with greater hassle in the future too.

BitterAndTwisted

I wouldn't hand over any mail on principle after pestering you like that on top of having to deal with debt-collectors. If mail was that important she could have arranged re-direction with the Post Office any time during the last two years.

I agree with LazyDaisy: it's most likely a benefits claim or maybe an insurance scam.

If it turns up, open it and tell us what it is before you return it or toss it in the bin.