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Original poster

Debt collectors

19 replies

user9217 · 30/12/2017 18:22

Me again BlushBlush
Another one for all of you!!
ExH was always useless with money. Really really awful. Was in a lot of debt involved with debt collectors when we first got together and my parents and myself helped him massively improve his credit score to the point where we could get a mortgage.

Fast forward to now, I keep getting letters from a mobile phone company, just assumed they were circulars/adverts whatever so binned them. They kept coming so I opened one out of curiosity today (no visible name, hidden by envelope only address could be seen)

Turns out he's not been paying his bill. For a while - to the point where they've written and said his failed payments have been passed onto a debt collection agency. Letter doesn't state how much is owed. He moved out 18 months ago and I remember him getting a new phone/telling me about new contract March this year, so why has he given my address when he hasn't been living here for nearly a year??
So basically if debt collection agency come knocking at my door, what can I do? I have his new address but not sure what I can do now it's gone to the agency. Will they believe me when I tell them he doesn't live here and provide his new address?! Any advice appreciated! Smile

OP posts:
JediStoleMyBike · 30/12/2017 18:26

Do you have mortgage / tenancy documents that prove he isn't resident with you?

ineedamoreadultieradult · 30/12/2017 18:26

Don't wait for them to come to you, phone both the Debt Collection Agency and the phone company and give them all the forwarding information you have for him and tell them that he hasn't lived there for 18months.

Original poster
user9217 · 30/12/2017 18:27

I have council tax bills addressed just to me. He is still on the mortgage and pays towards it, as he refused to sell it when he moved out. But I have property related documents addressed to me only. Will they prove it?

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Debt
MrsMoastyToasty · 30/12/2017 18:27

Return the letters "not known at this address, try (add new address )
Check your credit report
Get him off the voter's roll at your address.

Original poster
user9217 · 30/12/2017 18:28

Also I don't know which agency is being used. I phoned phone company earlier but they wouldn't talk to me as it isn't my account Hmm

OP posts:
HollyBollyBooBoo · 30/12/2017 18:35

You need to get him off the mortgage as well ASAP!

ineedamoreadultieradult · 30/12/2017 18:36

Did you tell the phone company he didn't live there anymore? The debt collectors will write before they turn up so call them when you know who they are.

Original poster
user9217 · 30/12/2017 18:52

@HollyBollyBooBoo I don't think I can. It's a shared ownership we only own a % of the Flat. I couldn't afford it by myself either, I wanted to sell it when we split but he said no...

OP posts:
HollyBollyBooBoo · 30/12/2017 19:15

Really tricky, however do you want to be financially linked to someone who clearly isn't responsible?

If he isn't paying bills and debt collectors are after him, his credit score will be impacted and because you have a mortgage with him that means you're being 'co-scored' and your credit rating will also be impacted.

If he doesn't want to sell then he needs to buy you out, if he never agrees to selling you'll never be able to move - he can't have that control over your life!

Original poster
user9217 · 30/12/2017 19:45

Well the trouble I have also is that I can't afford to divorce him, and when I do I think he would refuse that as well just to be awkward. He won't be able to buy me out, he can't afford it, I can't buy him out as I can't afford it, he refuses to sell and I can't just take him off the mortgage (as far as I'm aware) cause it's half owned half rent. Maybe I'll have to wait til a debt agency letter comes and try to contact them?

OP posts:
delilahbucket · 30/12/2017 19:53

Contact the agency. If had to do this with the previous owner of our house because "return to sender" wasn't working.

Original poster
user9217 · 30/12/2017 19:55

@delilahbucket I don't know which agency it is yet. Only saw the letter today. But I will do!! Did they ask for proof or something that the person no longer lived there? Guess you didn't have a forwarding address?

OP posts:
delilahbucket · 30/12/2017 19:59

They asked for nothing and I didn't hear from them again. I didn't have her forwarding address, but I suppose in our case they could see that the house had been sold 18 months previously. You are definitely best preempting any action. If they do happen to turn up, you do not have to let them in. Have some id to hand. Make sure he's removed from the electoral register at your home and if you are claiming single person council tax, have a bill to hand to show them.

Original poster
user9217 · 30/12/2017 20:14

Yes he's removed from electoral register here and single person council tax bills I could easily grab if they turn up. We are still legally married (as I said can't afford to divorce) so I'm a bit worried they would say as I'm linked to him still I would still be responsible and have to pay it. No idea how much it is but think I can safely say I can't afford to be paying them anything!!

OP posts:
delilahbucket · 30/12/2017 21:20

You won't be held liable as they can only go after him and if you can show he isn't living with you then they can't take anything from your house. I know it's easy for me to say, but try not to worry.

PingPongBat · 31/12/2017 16:31

Good advice from delilah - I'd just add that debt collection agencies don't actually tend to visit people's homes, it's too costly for them to do this, they rely on letters and text messages. Once you've told them he no longer lives there they should back off. If you're still getting letters then return their letter to them with a covering letter from you, with a copy of your single council tax bill.

Original poster
user9217 · 31/12/2017 17:41

@delilahbucket @PingPongBat thank you both!!! Comforting to know I can't be held responsible for it as long as I have proof 👍

OP posts:
MerryShitmas · 03/01/2018 05:07

Married or not his debts are his. The only exception is if it's a joint loan (which you would've needed to sign) or if it was secured against the house - not going to happen for a phone contract.
Provide your ID (so they can verify you are who you say you are) if possible and also a council tax bill and tell them you know he lives at xxy.
Unfortunately information in these companies can be a bit Chinese whispers so you may have to keep calling for a couple of weeks to get them off your back but once it's done it's done.
It's stressful for you when you're financially responsible and still have them at your door - my sympathies. The ex did similar to me

Original poster
user9217 · 03/01/2018 11:20

@MerryShitmas thank you for your reply. I obviously haven't signed anything but I guess my signature would be easy to forge, he knows what it looks like. No letters or contact yet from any agencies but am checking post regularly!

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