Keep getting landlords mail (several different names)

scottwatters

Hey folks,
I know this sort of post has been made a thousand times over, but my girlfriend and I started renting a flat just over a month ago, and we're still receiving our landlords mail. However, one thing I've noticed is that there are several different names. So far we've had mail for about five different people, with five different surnames. Is this something we should be concerned about? Is there a way we can get the mail forwarded on, because I'm a bit annoyed of constantly having to take time to go to the Rental Agency to drop the mail off, and I don't want to keep arranging visits from the landlord, or have him drop in randomly. 

I'm quite nosey, so when the mail comes through I tend to Google the PO Box on the back of the envelope, and most of the time it seems to be Debt Collection Services. I'm not sure how they work, but I don't want folk turning up at the door looking to reclaim debt that isn't ours. 

Any help would be great
Cheers folks!

AdrianC

If there's five people, five different names, how do you know they're all for the landlord?

Just return to sender.

HampshireH

Probably former tenants. Return to sender.

scottwatters

AdrianC said:

If there's five people, five different names, how do you know they're all for the landlord?

Just return to sender.

That's a fair point. We did once get one with a company name, linked to this address, so I googled that and found the landlord's name, and two others that we have been receiving mail for as registered owners/partners.  

[Deleted User]

Ask the landlord whose mail is his, rest just mark return to sender as above and post them.

getmore4less

Return to sender, not living at this address everything

Countrysider

After 3 years living in my current place I am still getting debt collection letters for previous tenants. I diligently return all mail to sender and yet letters with the same return address keep coming. I've told the housing association and they just say keep returning the mail.

Bailiff's turned up once and demanded to see my ID to prove i wasn't the tenant. It's annoying to have to prove my innocence when someone comes knocking at the door. I highly suspect the previous tenant didn't bother to change their credit card / car finance address as we seem to get new letters every now and then (Ford finance, Aqua CC, etc). Bad system but can't see it changing. It's in the finance/debt company's interest to ignore returned mail. 

MovingForwards

I purchased an ex-rental therefore get loads of random names on letters. Every one received is marked 'not known at this address, return to sender'. I wait until passing a post box and pop them in, which tends to be every few months. I'm not putting myself out.

If I wasn't as generous as I am, I would just out them in the recycling bin. 

user1977

Just return to sender. Nobody's likely to waste their time coming to the door unless they're reasonably certain they've got up to date details correct, and if they do you can just tell them whoever they're looking for doesn't live there any more. It's not a big deal.

TBagpuss

Just mark it "RTS" and put it back into the nearest post box, no need to take it to the rental agency or wait for the landlord to pick it up.

You can, if you wish, write to the landlord and request that they arrange to get the post redirected to avoid them missing any important correspondence but you can't force them to do it. 

It's possible that you may get debt collectors show up - if so, don't let them in, just advise them that [name] doesn't live there and give them any details you have for the rental agency and the landlord. I'd suggest that you may want to keep a copy of the tenancy agreement to hand so you can show them, if necessary, that you are are telling the truth when you say you live there, but I have to say that in my experience (having twice lived places where former occupants moved on and had debt collectors and bailiffs after them this is rarely needed) 

GDB2222

As a landlord I keep getting  mail for tenants who left 20 years ago. I normally bin it.