Landlord refuses to forward my parcel! Probably stolen... What are my rights?

kay0981

Hi guys,

A valuable parcel was mistakenly dispatched in my name to an old address at the other side of the country (not really the sender's fault, just sent without consulting for an updated address, but that aside).

As soon as I found out that the parcel was dispatched there, I contacted my ex-landlord immediately. I informed him of the situation, and advised him that once the parcel arrives, he should just reject the delivery - that way the parcel would just go back to the sender.

He however said that he's happy to accept the parcel, and forward it to my current address. I was glad, I obviously offered to pay the delivery costs and send him a little bit extra for the inconvenience caused by this. He said he'd get in touch with me once my parcel arrives.

And guess what?

Monday 15th, I receive an e-mail confirmation from the courier that my parcel's been delivered to my old address successfully and signed for by the landlord.I wait patiently... One day, another day... Nothing. I sent him an e-mail asking for an update - nothing, complete silence. Then on Friday 19th I texted him saying

'Hi there, could you please let me know what is going on with my parcel and whether you will be able to forward it to me anytime soon? I received a notice saying that it was delivered and signed for on Monday, but haven't heard anything since'.

His response:

'You are not likely to ever hear anything about your parcel if you keep bothering me'.

I was speechless! I could make this post even longer and go on for ages how he's a rude **** and what not.... That aside, I just wanted to ask you guys, what can I do in this situation? Do I have any rights at all in this? That *** should have just rejected the parcel, rather than agreeing to forward it to me and then keeping it! He has always been a moody, dodgy, crummy student landlord, I don't actually think he even has any tenants anymore. Eh, I'll still wait a couple of weeks for him to forward it to me, but if that doesn't happen (it probably won't), is there anything I can do?? Please help me!!

Marktheshark

Who sent the parcel and was it a purchase

bod1467

Arrange a courier of your own to go collect the parcel?

Drive over there and pick it up yourself?

Contact the seller and advise them that the parcel has not been delivered to the correct address, and thus is deemed not delivered - please send again to the correct address? (That way it is their problem).

Contact the police? (Although there's no obvious evidence of a crime having been committed - yet).

kay0981

Marktheshark wrote: »

Who sent the parcel and was it a purchase

It was a parcel from a dear friend, she's been my fragrance swap partner for years. It was a gift from her (worth about £100), but she only told me about it after she sent it (I've moved out very recently, and haven't given her an updated address as I wasn't expecting to be sent anything!)

kay0981

bod1467 wrote: »

Arrange a courier of your own to go collect the parcel?

Drive over there and pick it up yourself?

Contact the seller and advise them that the parcel has not been delivered to the correct address, and thus is deemed not delivered - please send again to the correct address? (That way it is their problem).

Contact the police? (Although there's no obvious evidence of a crime having been committed - yet).

I don't drive, I suppose arranging a courier might be a viable option, though, thank you. I am just annoyed that I will have to pay all that money to arrange one... I wish so much that the stupid landlord just rejected the parcel like I originally asked him to... He's always been a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I was considering contacting the police at some point, but I think I should give him some more time first... I guess at some point, when some reasonable time has passed, I could just assume that the parcel's been stolen? I'm really not sure where the law is on this...

shaun_from_Africa

bod1467 wrote: »

Contact the seller and advise them that the parcel has not been delivered to the correct address, and thus is deemed not delivered - please send again to the correct address? (That way it is their problem)

It sounds like it was delivered to the only address that the seller had, thus as far as they are concerned, it was delivered to the correct address.

A valuable parcel was mistakenly dispatched in my name to an old address at the other side of the country (not really the sender's fault, just sent without consulting for an updated address, but that aside)

If the seller was given an address the why wouldn't they assume that it correct?
Contacting the police is pointless as no crime has been committed.
If the seller refuses to hand it to you or an agent of yours then it might be theft, but not yet.

daytona0

The seller has fulfilled the contract by delivering to the correct address

the courier have delivered it correctly

you have no proof that the intended recipient was NOT the landlord


therefore you are going to struggle to prove anything. For all we know, you could be trying to falsely claim that the item belongs ti you - can you prove otherwise?

ThumbRemote

daytona0 wrote: »

you have no proof that the intended recipient was NOT the landlord

therefore you are going to struggle to prove anything. For all we know, you could be trying to falsely claim that the item belongs ti you - can you prove otherwise?

OP says the parcel was in his name but sent to their old address. It's hardly a struggle to show they placed the order and it was their name on it.

ThumbRemote

kay0981 wrote: »

I was speechless! I could make this post even longer and go on for ages how he's a rude **** and what not.... That aside, I just wanted to ask you guys, what can I do in this situation? Do I have any rights at all in this? That *** should have just rejected the parcel, rather than agreeing to forward it to me and then keeping it! He has always been a moody, dodgy, crummy student landlord, I don't actually think he even has any tenants anymore. Eh, I'll still wait a couple of weeks for him to forward it to me, but if that doesn't happen (it probably won't), is there anything I can do?? Please help me!!

Yes, you do have rights. Legally the landlord has a duty of care for your goods. They can't keep them or get rid of them other than to you, otherwise you can take them to court to recover the cost.

However, they can make it difficult to get the goods - it has to be at their convenience.

There's a guide here: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/your_world/consumer_affairs/consumer_lost_found_and_uncollected_goods_e.htm
It talks about goods from a trader that have been left, but the principle is the same.

If you think they are trying to keep the parcel, you don't have a lot of option but to go yourself or send someone you trust round. Otherwise he could just courier you an empty box.

kay0981

daytona0 wrote: »

The seller has fulfilled the contract by delivering to the correct address

the courier have delivered it correctly

you have no proof that the intended recipient was NOT the landlord


therefore you are going to struggle to prove anything. For all we know, you could be trying to falsely claim that the item belongs ti you - can you prove otherwise?

Of course the parcel had my name on it.... It doesn't matter if it's the old address, no one else but me is allowed to open a parcel addressed in my name....You are not allowed to open people's parcels/post just because they have the same address as you....

kay0981

ThumbRemote wrote: »

OP says the parcel was in his name but sent to their old address. It's hardly a struggle to show they placed the order and it was their name on it.

That's exactly right, thank you.