Forwarding Mail

[2sp_]

A tenant has moved out of a cottage we rent out. They moved out suddenly and in breach of their contract. (But they have breached their contract in many, varied ways.)

Now they tell us that they have had all mail forwarded to their new address (which they won't give us - again in breach of their contract), but are expecting an "important letter" in the next few days.

They want us to forward it to her place of work.

What would be the best thing for us to do?

Should we return it to sender, forward to her work, or ask them to collect it from us?

We are concerned that they may be up to something, but we have no idea what!

[heathfield]

2sp...you'd better read this before taking any action...

http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/criminal/other_crime_and_justice_topics/500355.html

[rockyracoon]

If I remember rightly, some post cannot be forwarded, it has to be delivered to the address only. Can't remember what though.

[2sp_]

Thanks heathfield, but can I just reiterate that we have no intention of opening or destroying any mail.

We will either forward or return any mail.

[Peter Pedant]

They cant owe you that much money quite honestly....

no forwarding address means only one thing - CCJs in the pipeline...

[boxtops]

Unless of course it's coming by hand from the bailiffs, in which case you just refuse to accept it.....

[sherrardk]

Point 7 might be interesting - https://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection?PSID=Google&;campaignid=RD0713_SM_25&;keyword=forwarding%20mail&creative=27573233053#faq-19350495-19350096

[joko]

i would open it and then reseal when you are satisfied it will not get you into any trouble, then tell them to come to collect it - bringing with them the money they owe you

dont tell them that until you actually have the letter in your possession - let them think you are going to comply

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Refuse it and return it to sender.
There are some circumstances where the billing address is important and you shouldn't change it.
If the letter is so important that it has to be delivered to the billing address, I wouldn't mess with it.
You don't owe them anything after all.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

BTW, it is illegal to open someone else's mail and I'm shocked by the level of nosiness that is apparent on this thread.
You have not right at all to open their mail and I'm glad you see it that way.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Fat fingers...no right, not not right

[EDDIE51]

Make sure you keep a carefull record of the works address so that you can contact her to serve a notice of claim to recover the money they owe you.
(Or just send it by recorded delivery to the old address so that it gets redirected to the new address.)

[Canary42]

In my opinion the only thing to do is mark it "return to sender not known at this address" and pop it in the post. I note you are not prepared to open it, this is wise and correct.

I suspect that their claim about all mail being forwarded to their new address is a lie - you could test it be sending a dummy (i.e. blank contents) letter to them at your cottage address and see if it arrives.

[2sp_]

PP, "They cant owe you that much money quite honestly...." Really? How have you come to that conclusion? They owe us plenty, rent not paid, heating oil, gas...

And, we don't have CCJs in Scotland.

I think we shall just return to sender. We want to distance ourselves from these people as soon as possible. (Other than our trip to the Small Claims Court, that is.)

[Peter Pedant]

Mojo you live in too nice an area

You can open it by mistake - mail I mean. I have done that .... a bit blush making

see the link - it should be to someone's detriment

you can if you reasonably suspect fraud -

and I do if I think it is a demand for money because it is such a pain when the bailiffs come around to a new tenant, and start blaaarting.

I started this when I was involved in a union case, where the employer had opened legal advice to the union rep..... and the authorities did not give a stuffed donkey quite honestly

One ex tenant who fled domestic violence - has never paid a bill. The precipitate flight ( from DV you see ) seems more like flight from insistent creditors because it is now obvious that ... she has never paid a bill. - ever. including the rent. She can't really complain, when we went in, we found opened letters to her predecessor, including applications for credit cards.

Mo jo you live in too nice an area.

[cassa333]

If they think it will come to you instead of being redirected do you think they have used a different name?

I would rreturn to sender. If you know where they work (but not live) then could you send them a bill/invoice for the money they owe?

[2sp_]

cassa, I think that would be our next step, sending an invoice for all money to her place of work. They are refusing to give us a forwarding address. Probably so we can't redirect the debt collectors should they appear here.

That's the last time we give new tenants a bit of slack. We were stupid enough to feel sorry for them and put heating oil in the tank and bought a tank of gas for them too.

Never again.

[2sp_]

Spoken to the Postie. He has said that he will hold all mail to the tenants for one week (as a re-direction can take up to 10 days to activate) and then when the re-direction kicks in he will have it all redirected, or alternatively they can pick up any mail at the local Post Office. That way we have nothing to do with any mail that may arrive for them.

I love that man. He really is a sweetheart.

Thanks everyone for all your advice and suggestions.

[mazie]

Hi SP... If you know of any farms further south that are looking for good tenants would you mind letting me know... xx

[2sp_]

Will do mazie!

And if you ever do decide to move further North, let me know!