Not my debt!

tiamaria

Not sure where to post this but would appreciate some advice.

My ex lived with me for 4 months in early 2015. I have been receiving letters for him, some look like Government official letters, some are from the Council. I have been passing them on to him but I can see that they are for previous debts, something to do with previous loans or council tax, or housing benefit, I'm not entirely sure.

I Can see that one is a final demand & if he doesn't pay x amount in 14 days, proceedings will be taken ie bailiffs!

Should I continue to pass on his post with a stronger request that he tells them he's not living here now (though he'd probably not think that was in his best interests)! Or, should I return to sender? (which I've done with a few of them, but they obviously don't believe me)!

Don't really want bailiffs here if i can help it! I have business clients at my home address and it would be very detrimental to that.

CIS

I'd give the local authority a quick call/email and let them know. he's not resident - a forwarding address would be useful.

Craig

tiamaria

Thanks Craig, I did ring a few weeks ago, the council that is, housing dept, but i couldn't find the exact department, they had no record of him, she said just return the letters, but I'm still receiving them, guess they don't believe he's not here!

EssexHebridean

Write to them - there should be an address on the reverse of the envelopes. State that he does not live at the address and has not done since X date. If you feel it's appropriate to give them a forwarding address then you could do so. State that they should no longer send mail for him to your address.

You can then use the same letter for anyone else who writes, also. Don;t be tempted to open the envelopes either - I seem to recall that opening someone else's post is a bit of a no-no!

tiamaria

One of the addresses says - address not to be used for correspondence! its from work and pensions

[Deleted User]

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Don't be tempted to open the envelopes either - I seem to recall that opening someone else's post is a bit of a no-no!

That's not true.

[Deleted User]

tiamaria wrote: »

One of the addresses says - address not to be used for correspondence! its from work and pensions

Open the letter and see which DWP section it is from, then find the appropriate address.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/545272/new-dwp-postal-addresses.pdf

National_Debtline

Hi Tiamaria,


This is always a difficult situation as there is no 'central office' this can be reported to. You just need to keep batting the letters back when you get one. I think a letter or email to each organisation, explaining that the person they are chasing is no longer there is a good suggestion (as per the previous posts). You can also stress that if you this were to escalate, into anything like bailiffs, you would be making a formal complaint and escalating the matter to the ombudsman (there are different ombudsmen depending on who the organisation involved is).

In all probability, it sounds as though they would only be civil bailiffs, if that is the case they can only come inside if you let them in or if they find open or unlocked access. So, in a worse case scenario, if you receive a notice of enforcement (7 days warning before anyone can visit you) you should lock your home and keep assets secure. They should only take the liable person's goods for a debt, and if you are not named on the debt, you are not liable, irrespective of them sending post to your address. Good luck,


Laura
@natdebtline

MrsTinks

SHOULD they turn up then in the interest of your business I would keep a copy of you tenancy agreement or whatever you can stating he isn't a tenant, doesn't live there and hasn't since X date. Copy of the letters sent to his creditors/council should also help. Whilst the onus is on THEM to prove he lives there or owns anything there then because this is possibly going to affect your business you might want to do as much as possible to get rid of any civil bailiffs as quick as possible. Give them his new address if you have it and should any of your clients be about then just tell them it's a previous tenant that they're after - everyone knows it happens so hopefully they'll just be really sympathetic ��

dirtycredit

Hiya,

I had this problem with an ex of mine. He didn't ever live at mine but a disgruntled ex girlfriend of his had given some of the companies that were chasing him my address. I rang the credit check agencies and had any link with him and my address removed as he had never lived with me. It stopped most of the letters.

Good luck,
DC x

MEM62

Stop passing the correspondence onto your ex. He won't take any action to correct the situation.

Send all mail back to the sender with a little note advising them of his new address.