Ex partner using my address

epm-84

jimbo26 said:

epm-84 said:

Deleted_User said:

No need - they've already covered it in 84 3).

Which states it's an offence without reasonable excuse - being nosey about someone else's financial affairs isn't a reasonable excuse unless you're in court with a very good lawyer who knows all the loopholes which can be used.

You need to read it all, not just the bit that you think proves your point. To commit the offence you must open the letter intending to act to the persons detriment.

I originally said it was illegal as a secondary point, the primary point being that when the creditor sends a letter marked private and confidential to the debtor they will presume the creditor has opened and read it unless they get it back and if they get it back open then it would seem suspicious - like the debtor is pretending to have gone away.  I posted a link to the actual legislation - anyone can click on that and read it but unless someone's on here a lawyer then I don't think any of us are well placed to say what does and doesn't count.  

epm-84

elsien said:

epm-84 said:

D3xt3r5L4b said:

epm-84 said:

Deleted_User said:

It's not illegal to open the letters, but it's easier to simply return unopened at this stage.

The Postal Services Act 2000 states it's offence to open mail not addressed to you or to delay it from getting to it's intended recipient.  There are some exceptions but wanting to know what your ex-husband is up to isn't one of them!

Only if you intend to do any “wrong doings” with the contents. 

Just reading the mail not addressed to you counts as a 'wrong doing', especially if it's financial information like a debt notice and if it's someone you're in a relationship with then the new laws preventing controlling and coercive behaviour might be relevant if you're reading your partner's mail without their permission.

Opening a letter addressed to Mr A Smith when you're Mrs A Smith and then realising it's not for you would likely be seen as an accident, not an offence.

Personally I'd be accidentally opening all of them to check what was going on. Then sending  back to where they came from saying no longer at this address. If the ex wishes to secure his privacy then he should be giving the companies his new address. 

Given we don't know the circumstances like when he moved out, whether he's part or full owner of the house, under what circumstances he left etc. I don't think anyone (except the original poster) is in a position to say who's right and who's wrong.  My mobile provider never sends bills to me - I get a notification that my new bill is available online by text, so telling my mobile provider my new address isn't going to be someone I'd do on immediately on moving house - there'd be hundreds of more important things to do first.  

If you want the creditor to think the debtor might still be at your house or that you are covering for them then opening post for someone else and then returning it would be an excellent way to do that.  Perhaps you like bailiffs and police visiting your house?