Debt

[Snow - White]

Since splitting up from my partner it has come to light that he had got himself into quite a bit of debt. I am currently getting letters and phone calls from various debt collection agencies all of which I politely inform he no longer lives with me. Will these debts show up on my credit file as he did once live at my address? How long doe debts stay on your credit file? How long do debt collection agencies track debts for, do they ever just get written off? As they are all in his name I am not liable for them am I?

[southerngirl]

Hi Snow White,

I had a similar problem with an ex lodger. Basically, he is liable for the debts but they could put a blacklist on your address, so you need to get your credit history checked out to make sure this hasn't happened. What I did was to give the new address of my ex lodger - I had to find out what it was first. Usually if you give these people an alternative address they will leave you alone. If anyone comes to your house, or threatens to do so to collect the debt in goods, then just inform them that the debtor no longer lives there and get the police involved. If you have filled in a census form recently without his name on it, that should be sufficient for them to check and leave you alone. If they persist, then get a solicitor or go to Citizens Advice Bureau who will be able to help you.

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Obtain a copy of your credit report from both equifax and experian and complete a dis-association form. This will then disassociate yourself from the debtor as long as you are not named on any of his debts.

[kempie]

The three main credit reference agencies in the UK are Equifax, Experian and Callcredit.

Contact details for each are available here.