Previous owners being CFs?

[Pippylcoat]

9 months ago we moved in our house. The previous owners came over every week for the first three months asking for their post. We saved up the first bulk of post to give them, but when it became clear they didn’t want to pay for a redirectory or stop the ‘routine’, I began sending the post back as ‘not known at this address’. Each time they knocked I told them we had nothing for them and asked them to ensure they have updated their address with all bills and contacts. Several recent letters have been clearly important such as a hospital appointment and parking fines. I still returned to sender as they should have updated their address, knowing it is an illegal offence to not do this for the DVLA I refuse to support their continuous use of our address. The most recent arrival of them asking for post left a sour taste in my mouth, I was informed I must be keeping or opening their post as I legally have to return it to them. On top of never receiving a thank you this has made me realise what entitled CFs they are with no intention of stopping. I spoke to a friend who told me I should give them their post as the hospital appointment for example is a waste of nhs resources, and they will be prosecuted for not updating the DVLA. I don’t think I’m wrong for wanting this to stop, they have had 9 months and I didn’t mind at first but now I feel like an awful person about the letters I just returned. Has anyone else been through this and how did you handle it?

You’re definitely not being unreasonable! They had plenty of time to get their arses into gear

Nine months is madness! Just tell them what you're doing if they knock again, they're being very unreasonable at this point.

You’ve done the right thing. They had plenty of time to sort it out themselves

I would be honest about having sent it back so they can’t accuse you of keeping or opening their mail. But make it clear you feel 9 months is well beyond the point of managing their post for them.

I still get post for previous tenants and i’ve been here 4 years. Looks like annual statements
luckily noone has come to collect. I do return to sender.

I would have stopped answering the door to them 8.5 months ago!
I have just moved, and changed all of the important addresses on day two.

Stop answering the door to them. They should have set up Royal Mail redirection for the first 2 or 3 months, by which time, they should have informed all the relevant organisations that they'd moved. This is ALL their own making and OP shouldn't feel even remotely guilty nor responsible.

If the previous owners miss important hospital appointments or get parking/speeding fines increased for not dealing with them sooner, tough! It's their own stupid fault and they need to own the consequences.

They should have had a redirect mail sorted before they moved. You have been more than enough patient with them. I would have been redirecting after a month!!!

Yanbu. I still get the odd letter for previous owners. We have been here 14 years.

I think you could have told them last time they came that enough time has passed now and you will start returning to sender, rather than effectively lying to them which is what you are doing.

They could do a mail redirection via the post office for a year. That would show them what post they still need to redirect themselves. Id have a redirection form ready for their next appearance.

Just tell them it pissed you off and so you now return to sender. Tell them you didn’t want them on your address and you assumed they’d do a redirection at the post office like most other normal people,

Tell them you are not Postman Pat and you are not responsible for their mail.
9 Months?!
Past CF, just entitied

They should not be using your address for their correspondence. A redirect isn't very expensive - propbly cheaper than the cost of them coming over if they drive there.

I agree with @Lemonadeand - you need to tell them that you are returning all their post to sender, and that it is not your responsibility to look after their post, if they can’t be bothered to make sure that they have given their new address to people.

9 months is a crazy length of time for them expecting you to do that!

Why on earth haven't you told them that you're returning their post to sender?

3 years after moving in we still get post. Lots of it, more for them than us. All their bank statements, for their business too. I saved it for a year and they ignored my messages. Then returned to sender for a year- even bought a stamp with that on. This year I've just chucked it straight in the recycling. I got really bored of having their letter cluttering up the hall waiting for someone to be walking past a postbox

I do wonder if there's a reason they don't want people/companies to know their new address.

Just carry on returning letters to senders - when you feel like making a special journey to a postbox. There is no obligation on you to forward mail to them.

Play with yhem next time they come round.

Open the door.
Look again them blankly "hello, can I help you"
When they say they've come for the post, ask who they are, shake your head & tell them they ve got the wrong house.

You bought the house from Fred Watts, who sold after his wife died and moved into sheltered housing.
Refuse to believe they ever lived there, "Fred & his late wife lived here for 37 years"

They'll be so freaked out they'll never come back.

Do not answer the door to them .

The next time they come round, tell them under no circumstances do they have permission to use your address and must organise a redirect immediately, any post for anyone not at your address will be returned to sender and they are not to come to the house again. Tell them that any further visits from them will be considered harassment and will be reported to Police as such. Don't answer the door to them or engage with them at all after this.

YANBU I've recently had an 80th lbirthday card for the previous owner of my house, who moved out 23 years ago! If it's important, they should be changing their address. Definitely CFs!

It’s not your problem to teach people to be proper adults and get up off their arse and change address. Continue what you’re doing

This almost sounds fraudulent - using your address when they don't actually live there. Clearly they just don't want to pay for redirection. Absolute CFs.