Old owner's post

Ms_Chocaholic

You say you're possibly going to shred them, in my experience of shredders that does take some time, quicker to write RTS on them and post them next time you're near a post box.

arciere

Shredding was just an option. My question was if I can do whatever I see fit with those letters without being legally responsible for it (obviously using common sense). I wasn't looking for the less time consuming way of getting rid of others' emails. I only wanted to know if there's anything I am responsible for when handling hundreds of others' emails being delivered to my address.

arciere

I don't seem to be able to edit my previous comment, for some reason my phone decided to type 'emails' instead of 'mail/letters'.

Smodlet

How could you possibly be responsible for mail addressed to anyone else? Did you verbally agree to forward their post to them? Even if you had, it would be purely out of courtesy and in no way any kind of legal obligation.

Once again, if they cba, why are you? Just bin it/burn it/make papier mache out of it/whatever. If they gave a crap, they would have been back to ask about mail they forgot to have forwarded. Just enjoy your new place. It is yours, not theirs and that so includes their (probably unwanted) post.

Norman_Castle

After 6 months I'd stop keeping them. Write return to sender/moved on anything you deem important such as a driving licence and recycle the rest. No need to shred or keep it secure. Identity theft won't affect you.

YoungBlueEyes

I don't know if there is a specific length of time you're obligated, legally or otherwise, to make sure an old owner gets their mail. Is there a website or helpline to call? Or maybe ask in a post office?

Just a thought - is there a system that you can register with, whereby you only get post through your door if it's got your name on it. So mail is delivered to this person, rather than this house..?

warehouse

OP, just wanted to say don't let the aggressive & nasty people on this site put you off. There are far nicer people on here than you seem to have attracted to this thread for asking a genuine question. I wonder if the hot weather is upsetting the poor little lambs, they just need an afternoon nap.

You may also have noticed that school holidays have begun.

kinger101

I just scrawl out the old address and write "NLR RTS". Works 80% of the time. 2nd time I write "look you halfwits, I already told you they don't live here" on the back. 3rd time I open it and make an abusive phone call.

You might at well go straight to step 3 for anything from the council.

lookstraightahead

You will never stop receiving junk mail because the previous owner won't know you are getting it. If you think it's important stick it back in the post box.

We have all been in this situation from both sides - how do you know that no mail of yours goes to your old addresses?

We still have Christmas cards addressed to all kinds of people - obviously good friends lol.

It's much better to put it back in the post, The time taken to do that is no different from shredding or destroying or indeed putting it in a bin.

anfieldred

We still get the previous owner's post 4 years later - I've seen the previous owners in town and told them, said come to pick it up and they won't.

We get all kinds for them - if they won't change it even after being told, then it's their own fault.