Debt collectors set on me by an ex, help!

cowparsley

Hello,
Five years ago I moved in with my (now ex) partner. We had a verbal agreement that I would pay a set amount each month to cover rent and bills. We have been separated for four years and recently she asked for my address to forward on a letter. Now I am being harassed on the phone and by post by dlc debt collectors who say I owe thousands of pounds for council tax and bills. My ex is wealthy and can afford to pay dlc privately to pursue this. I am concerned that they will turn up at my door.

Could anyone tell me what my rights are in this situation? It seems crazy that with enough money, anyone could hire these people to harass an ex-partner!

I never signed any tenancy agreement or anything linking me to that property, is this legal?

Many thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

CIS

I never signed any tenancy agreement or anything linking me to that property, is this legal?

For council tax purposes, if you were living in the property with her as her partner you then you are jointly responsible for the council tax charge (irrespective of any tenancy agreements or legal agreements). We're you actually named on the council tax demand notices at the time ?

fatbelly

You say they are chasing you for 'council tax and bills'. Is it the case that your ex paid off these debts (presumably because she was jointly and severally liable) and has now employed DLC to see if they can persuade you to give them some cash?

Is she named as the 'creditor'

Has she taken a court claim against you?

Does she have any written agreement that you would pay her X% of the debts if she cleared them?

The question you should be asking is 'what rights do DLC have if they visit? The answer is none. They are only allowed to operate within OFT (now FCA) guidelines and the new regulator appears tougher than the old one.

Having said that, I am not aware that DLC do home visits. They will be looking to spend the least they can on this job and so will just be running through their standard letters and then giving up.

You could send a prove-it letter if you wish but frankly I'd ignore them and change my phone number if necessary