To think this mortgage statement is really dodgy?

[CrystalSkull]

I received a letter today addressed to someone I've never received mail for before. The name is really unusual but has the same initials as a previous tenant here who has been problematic. I tend to open official-looking letters as we've had problems in the past with bailiffs turning up for the previous tenant. He still has loads of things registered to our address - even his driving licence.

Anyway, today's letter was a mortgage statement for an interest-only mortgage. I double-checked the address and it is definitely correct. I know who the owners of this house were back to about 1980 and it definitely isn't any of them. Payments have been made on this mortgage every month for the past year. It doesn't show any history before that and it doesn't show when the mortgage was taken out (we bought this house last year).

AIBU to think something really dodgy is going on here? I plan to call the bank involved tomorrow.

[sooperdooper]

How bloody weird!! Yes, call the bank, then come back and tell us when you know more!

[Imnotaslimjim]

It does sound extremely dodgy! Definitely contact the bank as early as you can tomorrow

[ridemesideways]

Aye. Call the bank and say you opened it in error. Assume you send all his mail 'return to sender' so the DVLA etc can remove him?

[StitchesInTime]

Yes, sounds dodgy. I hope your call to the bank tomorrow goes okay.

[CrystalSkull]

I put most of it back in the post box with 'return to sender' but it just keeps coming. I now open the ones that look like they could be fines/final demands/letters from banks so I can ring the company and explain. It was surprising to see a new name today, though, as 99% of our post is for this one guy.

[Hippywannabe]

Can you check on the Land Registry? It is only about £4 and lists anything associated with your property.

[Imnotaslimjim]

Can you view your credit score? Some of them allow you to see if you have any financial associates, so they might come up on there

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

I agree with Hippy, check the land registry online. A mortgage would be registered against the house (at least if it was taken out in the last ten+ years).

[PegsPigs]

Definitely worth calling the bank to find out more!

[monkeysox]

I'd phone the bank. We had mortgage letters for former owners who had got behind on their payments. Bank dealt with it for me.

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

I always open mail for the previous owners. They're a right bunch of dodgy bastards. My favourite was opening a bill from a stables yard who were owed thousands (long since they'd moved and has used this address to set up their account with th em) fortunately I remembered the name of the guys business and God bless Social media was able to reunite stable owner with lying arse face

[RockNRollNerd]

Also - consider registering for Land Registry alerts against your property.

[ManneryTowers]

It's £3 to check the Land Registry title for your property online. It will be registered as you've purchased relatively recently. That will show all charges registered against the property. The Land Registry would have notified you of any subsequent charges registered to your property, provided they hold your correspondence details (also shown on the title).
Check your title first to make sure your property is safe. I can't tell from your OP if the mortgage statement relates to your house, or it is just addressed to your house. I think the worst that could be happening is mortgage fraud in that the previous tenant is using your address for credit checking to take out a mortgage on another property . Good luck OP.

[Sandinmytoes]

I have a mortgage on another property and my mortgage statement comes to my home address. It doesn't say anywhere what property the mortgage is on.

Could it not just be an error with someone setting up a new address?

[CrystalSkull]

cuntycowfacemonkey - this previous tenant is so dodgy too. He's had multiple unpaid parking fines, car tax fines, HMRC investigations (!), insolvent companies, bailiffs, etc. Unbelievable.

I have checked the land registry and all is well - not that I ever expected it not to be, tbh! I still find it really odd though and will definitely post back after I talk to the bank tomorrow.

RockNRollNerd - thanks for suggesting the alert service. I hadn't heard of it before but have now signed up for it.

[CrystalSkull]

Sandinmytoes - yes, it could be an honest mistake, but the similarity to the former tenant's name makes me really suspicious. It sounds like an alibi and I can't find anybody 'real' under the name!

[thatstoast]

I would be prepared for the bank not to care. They certainly won't tell you anything about it.

[unlucky83]

It really might be a mistake ...(using not my real address as an eg).
Say we are no 3 woodbourne ave, there is also a woodbourne road.
We have had mail for Miss X, 3 woodbourne ave ...but it was for 3 woodbourne road - the postcode belonged to the road and I also recognised the name so knew what had happened and gave it them. (our regular postie is really good and would have picked up on that I'm sure but he was on holiday)
Also 3 times we have had mail Mr. X Y or Z, 3 woodbourne ave that was intended 30 something woodbourne ave ...they have the same postcode and it could be one of 10 houses. One was from a bank and the other was from the hospital and one a random one (luckily I recognised the name on that cos there was no return address)...