MIL collections letter - not my debt - what next?

hannahkaty

Hi all,
I live in a rented property, recently moved in (early Mach). Received a letter today which was addressed to 'Owner Occupier'. Wasn't sure if i should open it but did. It was a debt collection letter for Shell Energy from MIL collections. I haven't had an account with Shell Energy, and neither to my knowledge did the previous occupiers as I switched the account from SO Energy. 
I'm not sure what to do about this letter now? There's no name against the debt and it's not mine - i do not want debt collectors turning up at my door trying to collect debt, should i call them up to tell them that whoever's debt it was no longer lives here? Any advice gratefully received. Thanks

celticmeltic

E&OE : When you purchased the house from the previous owner, your solicitor should have got an undertaking from them covering any debts or bills that pre-dated your purchase in relation to the property. I'm not suggesting that the previous owners won't pay up if its a debt owned by them, just saying that it would have been a lot easier. 

DiamondLil

celticmeltic said:

E&OE : When you purchased the house from the previous owner, your solicitor should have got an undertaking from them covering any debts or bills that pre-dated your purchase in relation to the property. I'm not suggesting that the previous owners won't pay up if its a debt owned by them, just saying that it would have been a lot easier. 

Op states he/she is in rented accommodation

hannahkaty

celticmeltic said:

E&OE : When you purchased the house from the previous owner, your solicitor should have got an undertaking from them covering any debts or bills that pre-dated your purchase in relation to the property. I'm not suggesting that the previous owners won't pay up if its a debt owned by them, just saying that it would have been a lot easier. 

I am renting the property.  

MEM62

celticmeltic said:

E&OE : When you purchased the house from the previous owner, your solicitor should have got an undertaking from them covering any debts or bills that pre-dated your purchase in relation to the property. I'm not suggesting that the previous owners won't pay up if its a debt owned by them, just saying that it would have been a lot easier. 

Quote "I live in a rented property"
OP: I would send the letter back stating that you have no liability for this debt.  

Malkytheheed

So, debt collectors don't just turn up demanding things. 
Dont call them. never call them. they will use tactics to cause you a great deal of anxiety. Send them a letter saying they have the wrong person. 

sourcrates

Ignore it, it’s not your name on the letter, so not your problem.
You will not have a knock at The door, this company don’t use doorstep collectors.
You are not liable for this debt, but if you get involved, they may try to pin it on you, as they are not bothered who pays as long as someone does, you could open a real can of worms here, similar posts to this in the past we’re advised to ignore, they chose not to, and we’re inundated with calls and letters.

ZaSa1418

Put it safely in the recycling bin 

Grumpy_chap

OP - either 'do nothing' or pass the letter to the Letting Agent stating that you expect them to resolve this issue that is not yours to deal with.  Do not contact the debt collection company whatever you do.
They cannot take a court order or send bailiffs as that requires a name.  The Courts do not accept "Shell Energy v Owner Occupier XYZ"

onlyfoolsandparking

sourcrates said:

Ignore it, it’s not your name on the letter, so not your problem.
You will not have a knock at The door, this company don’t use doorstep collectors.
You are not liable for this debt, but if you get involved, they may try to pin it on you, as they are not bothered who pays as long as someone does, you could open a real can of worms here, similar posts to this in the past we’re advised to ignore, they chose not to, and we’re inundated with calls and letters.

100% agree, definitely do not contact them, MIL collections are a particularly nasty set of debt crawlers who if they get hold of your number you'll never hear the last of it.

PRAISETHESUN

I had a similar thing happen to me - I just forwarded it onto my letting agent, who presumably passed it along to the previous tenant or the owner of the house. As above, unless they start sending correspondence in your name then I'd ignore the letters - do not get in touch. Companies like these just buy debt at a fraction of it's value and then try to collect on it - they don't really care who pays as long as someone does. Contacting them will give them someone they can then start hassling. If they do start sending letters to you, then you need to start taking steps to show the debt isn't yours, but you don't need to worry about them just rocking up at your door demanding money at this stage.