Settling with debt that's not mine...?

terryw

Lots of good advice above.

If it were me, I would continue to open any such letters. You are doing nothing wrong or illegal and forewarned is forearmed.

There may be other such debts around.

The only time to be concerned is in the very unlikely event that a county court summons is sent to the ex at this address (the last known address). In this unlikely scenario come back for further advice.

bw

[Deleted User]

CiderDrinker87 wrote: »

Can I still do that, having opened it??

Of course you can.

Just reseal it and write "OPENED IN ERROR" on the envelope, then post it back to them, marked "NOT AT THIS ADDRESS".

I've done that several times, when I've accidentally opened a letter addressed to a previous tenant.

NB. Probably a good idea to put the "NOT AT THIS ADDRESS" label over the address window, so the Post Office don't redeliver it to you.

Yes, they are that thick.

But again am concerned that because my partner has lived at this address consistently he might then be liable for something (legal, financial) because he has thrown away her post and not notified the company that she no longer lives here.

There's no legal requirement to inform a company of the absence of an addressee, nor to forward or retain their mail.

tinkerbellkirst

DO NOT PAY this debt, it is not yours to do so.

Just post the letter back as others have said with no longer at this address return to sender or something along those lines.
The house we bought had LOADS of post coming to it when we moved in which we sent all back, a couple got opened in error or the dog opened them chewing them and its clear from the letters that the previous owners owe thousands of pounds at least 15k plus. We have lived here for almost 4 yrs now and no one has come to the door. Occasional letters we get now we often just throw away as they are often duplicates and the debt companies just trying it on again, she still doesnt live here!

As for the financial implications on your partner as the OP's have said he needs to separate his finances from hers ASAP!

CiderDrinker87

Brilliant, thanks so much for all of the advice. Have returned the letter, and will out it out of my kind and stop worrying from now!

Thanks again

RandomCake

This is far from your biggest problem.

Making payments on a joint mortgage still in his exes name is.

She may not want the money, but then again, she might have changed her mind, and you are effectively giving your half straight to her.

If it did get messy it may well be ruled that only the equity built up before the break up has to be shared with her, but it really is not worth the risk, or hassle. Citizen's Advice is probably a good place to start, it may be possible to keep the same mortgage, and just remove her from it, but it will require her to be involved!

This article on The Money Advice Service might be wroth reading:

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/what-to-do-about-a-mortgage-during-separation

xbethanyx

I wouldn't worry - the person I bought my house from over 2 years ago clearly did not advise anyone they moved and everyday I sent back letters stating "does not live here anymore". Obviously the debt company will not believe you at first and will think you are trying it on but I returned all mail. I also changed the electoral roll when I moved in. So both these things probably worked in my favour as one day I recieved a letter from one of the debt companys addressed to the current occupier advising they were aware the person no longer lived there and if I could provide a new address. If I couldn't then no problems and I have never recieved another letter.