Debt Letters Left By Previous Tenant

macman

Neither does a court appointed bailiff have any right of entry to a residential property.

robatwork

Sad to say you perhaps are a bit too much of a worrier to be a landlord.

A property can't owe money to anyone. Only a person can owe money.

Your previous tenant owes money, not you and not your property.

I have been in a similar position when moving into a new house where in the first few months I got hundreds (no exaggeration) of letters, bills, invoices, demands and even county court judgements against the former tenants. I sent back plenty with "not at this address". I opened a few after a while to see what was going on - seems they just didn't pay anything. Bank fees, speeding tickets, council tax, nada. There was even a CCJ from the council taking enforcing action, that ended with a debt collector at the door. None of this was particularly stressful - I opened the door to the bailiff, explained the situation. He was actually very pleasant, understood and believed me immediately, and went away never to be seen again. 

michelle09

FreeBear said:

michelle09 said: OP- all these companies will try for the easiest payment. Maybe warn the new tenants that bailiffs like to knock at 6am, the companies don't believe the "return to sender" on envelopes and will still apply for court orders, and some will still try to make you pay even if you can prove it's not your fault (my particular favourite being a bailiff who told me that paying the £2k bill from previous owner would stop all correspondence...), and to keep some photo ID close to hand to make bailiffs go away.

If they are just door knockers from a debt collection company, they are not bailiffs and no right of entry and zero right to demand money.

A court appointed bailiff will have a copy of the judgement (warrant), but can only demand payment from the named individual.

Yup. But it doesn't stop them trying to get anyone to pay (with or without high court warrant). Thankfully I live with a police officer who was happy to be blunt with them! 

3card

I am going through a similar situation with regards to an evicted tenant. Luckily the utilities company have taken my calls at face value and confirm that the debts are the for the 'tenant'

Just a thought. Did you have a deposit from your tenant? Usually the deposit scheme will ask for an alternative address and i have just given the companies chasing money that address and left it to them. In my instance the 'alternative address' is my tenants mother