Refusing to re-direct mail

[PinkFizz]

The previous owners of the house that I moved into a month ago apparently decided not to re-direct their mail. Therefore I get it all and am expected to forward it to them. I asked them why they hadn't redirected it and they said it was expensive!! Now the odd letter,fair enought,but they get loads and loads of catalogues left for them,some huge,every time I come home there is yet another pile in my front porch,and it is driving me nuts now. Am I legally obliged to keep forwarding all this on when they clearly haven't bothered to tell anybody they have moved? What would you all do?

[spurslady]

I used to just write not known at this address moved on, and put it in the nearest postbox. But even that is a pain

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, i had this problem when i first moved in. i just used to open them up and throw them in the bin. there was some interesting reads...

[Misky]

I would write on "No longer at this address, since ....." and put it back in the postbox. It sound a bit harsh, but the man who lived in my house before me didn't tell people his new address and I posted his letters through his door.. Until the Police knocked at my door at quarter to one one morning, about a summons he hadn't answered. They said they came at that time to make sure he was in! Better safe than sorry...

[naz_nomad]

If it's unsolicited mail, then it's yours to do with as you wish.

[Panic Button]

If they have moved locally, collect it up in bin bags. Leave it a while so important mail gets delayed and then dump it on their doorstep

[andy-hughes]

It depends really, how co-operative you are feeling.

For the record, it costs around �30 to have the PO re-direct your mail for six months - I know, we are moving next week.

If you want to be helpful, write to him and say that from today, you will keep all mail for one week, after which you wil destroy it. This will exclude all obvious 'junk' mail such as catalogues and circumars, which will be ddestroyed on receipt. Say he may collect post once a fortnight at a time and on a day designated by you - no exceptions. This agreement will last for one month only, after which all mail will be dstroyed on receipt.

That should do the trick.

[Bohne]

Some people are just unbelievable, aren't they!
I have just moved recently, and get mail for four or five different people.
The thing is, I don't even know where they live now.
I keep collecting the mail, meaning to take it all down to the post office one day, but then end up throwing it in the bin, when the pile gets to a certain size, because I cannot be bothered.

Don't know why the postman even leaves the mail with us, since our names are clearly on the postbox.

[lilacben]

Hi Pinkfizz this a a common problem these days my daughter has the same problem. She keeps it all for a while and then puts it in her door. But I would just write on the envelope moved ect. and put back in the post box. If it is junk mail just bin it. Ohter than that how are you settling in.? Brenda xx

[PinkFizz]

Hi guys. The family have move over 150 miles away so no chance of putting it through their letter box. I am just worried they they have ran up debts on all these catalogues which is why they haven't notified them of the new address. Not sure what I woudl do if a bailiff or debt collector turned up!

Hi Brenda - settling in very nicely thankyou! My son loves his new school and has joined the football and rugby clubs after school.Feel far less stressed here!xx

[ELVIS68]

Tell your postman that you only want letters with your name, It would only take him a few minutes to sort out which ones are not yours,All he has to do is put a sticker on them, then they will eventually end up going back to whoever sent them.
In the meantime...bin all the others!!

[raysparx1]

ELVIS has said exactly what I was going to put,hope you are good pinkie, xx

[PinkFizz]

Good ideas guys - thanks : ).

Hi Ray - im very fine and dandy thankyou!

Just out of interest,if I tell the postman to only deliver my mail - what will he do with all the old occupants letters then?

[ELVIS68]

He puts a sticker on them saying `person no longer at this address` then some por sod has to trace who sent them and send them bgack.
Most of the time it`s only junk mail and ends up in the bin anyway

[raysparx1]

Hi Pink, He might HAVE to deliver it to the address on the envelope, I don't think the name is important it is the address, but at least he could advise you, I would not keep redirecting it, tight gits should pay to have it done, otherwise I would do as andy says and write to them tellng them you will keep it for a week, they will soon get it sorted (excuse the pun) good luck xx

[raysparx1]

I didn't know that did that ELVIS, nice bit of info, good man.

[Athley]

If they are too lazy and too tight to get a redirection then just write return to sender on them and shove back in the post box. I have done that before. I always get a redirection myself you know you're getting your mail then.

:o)

[postmanthe]

It is really simple to stop just contact your local delivery office and tell them only mail for (give names of people including children ) @ this address. That should do the trick no postman wants a bundle of letters to kill off when he can do it in the office.

[PinkFizz]

Thanks for all your replies guys - the strange thing is that I even get their bank statements! Me thinks that they do not want to be traced !
I think I will tell the postman to not deliver their mail,and if any slip through I will stick them in the post box.
x

[drestie]

Can you put a bunch of it in a big envelope and send it to their new address as "postage due" so that it actually costs them money to get their mail? I have no idea if such a system exists in the UK, but I think it would work here :)

[Panic Button]

With so much post you could steal their identity and fleece them.

Ah! a flaw in my arguement. When the bailiffs chase the new debt they'll come to you. Back to the drawing board.