Debt Belonging To Previous Occupants

pixiepeep

Not sure this is the right forum really, sorry if I'm totally in the wrong place.

We bought an ex-rental property as our new home at the start of the month. So far we've had a debt collector letter for a previous tennant (which we opened as we thought it was connected to a company that was registered at the address - and good job we did as they were threatening bailiffs), several letters from the town council demanding the payments of months and months of council tax, plus an enormous utilities bill.

Now, obviously, we have the paperwork to prove that we took possession of the property after these debts were racked up, and have Returned To Sender anything that has come through the door. From what we gather from our new neighbours, the tennants were awful; they only paid their deposit then refused to pay any rent and it took the owner 10 months to get them out.

Is there anything we should be doing specifically here to make sure we don't end up struggling with demandling letters etc?

Guest101

No, just keep returning to sender.


And learn about the law in regards debt and bailiffs.......

CIS

We bought an ex-rental property as our new home at the start of the month.

Have you advised the council yet that you are the new owner ?

Craig

G_M

Not your problem.

Might be worth keeping photocopies near the front door so that in the unlikely event of bailiffs knocking (whether court appointed or private) you can quickly show them proof

* of your ID - you are not the debtor
* of your purchase - you are now the owner occupier

pixiepeep

CIS wrote: »

Have you advised the council yet that you are the new owner ?

Craig

Yes we have, we've also had our first bill from them for our council tax.

ST1991

Call utility companies. Call Local councils. Let them all know you are now the owner and occupier and from what date. TBH that should have been done the day you moved in, or in advance if you set a completion date.

We did this, as there was debts on the meters when we moved in. They wiped them, asked if we had a forwarding address (no we don't) and that was that.

Diodiva

I'm in a similar situation as the previous tenents were evicted and owe thousands to various utilities etc, ive been returning to sender and will continue to do so, I found reading on here about what to expect as I didnt have experience of bailiffs, what they can do and can't do for example really helped me feel that should anyone turn up, I know what to say, and how to deal with them (dont let them in etc)

CIS

pixiepeep wrote: »

Yes we have, we've also had our first bill from them for our council tax.

Just give the council a ring and tell them the mail for the old occupier is still being sent to the address.

Craig

G_M

CIS wrote: »

Just give the council a ring and tell them the mail for the old occupier is still being sent to the address.

Craig

I think pp was saying he (OP) had received his on 1st ill - not that he was receiving ills/mail for the previous occupants.

pixiepeep

G_M wrote: »

I think pp was saying he (OP) had received his on 1st ill - not that he was receiving ills/mail for the previous occupants.

We've had our own bill, plus the bill and demand for the previous occupiers. They've sent about 10 letters for them since we've had the keys, and only 1 to ourselves.

Poor_Single_lady

I had similar problem. I rang the companies and some letters stopped. Then I visited the banks in person because she owes a few thousand there and those letters have stopped. So I would recommend visiting the council in person if you are able to. In person is much more effective.

My pervious occupier is not as bad as yours tho. Hope you can get it sorted. Its so stressful when its your home. I open any post addressed to her to get it sorted as much as I can. It works 2 ways though, she has one urging her to claim ppi she is missing out on.