to get annoyed about post for previous owners coming to my house?

[izchaz]

We moved in nearly two months ago and are still receiving 8-10 letters a day (many of which are clearly sucker-list "win big money" scams, not that this is relevant, but I sort of look at this as junk mail) for the previous owners of our house.
They have family nearby who pop round once or twice a week to pick up the letters (and numerous parcels) and apologise for the hassle. The family members have always been very apologetic and polite about inconveniencing us with more mail per day than I receive in a month, but I have had one very grumpy conversation from the previous occupant who (I felt) was accusing me of holding on to a parcel of his because of its value (I had never received this parcel, have no idea as to the value of his mail and was a bit affronted by his roundabout accusation).
Today I wasn't quick enough getting to the door when the postman came, and the dog "opened" one of these letters for me - it's a notification for successful finance on a new phone contract. Taken out last week. This means that they're taking credit in their name at our address. I went a little mental, rang the company providing the credit, explained and insisted they contact the relevant people, which they have promised to to.

So, to my AIBU: would it be unreasonable to take an absolutely hardline policy and either open everything that comes through our door for them in case there's more of this credit fraud going on? Or should I return all to sender? Or should I give them more time to get set up at a new address?

Secondarily: was I unreasonable to ring up the credit company?

We moved here 3 years ago and still get real post (bank stuff etc, not just junk) for the previous owners several times a week. We have tried to keep up with their forwarding addresses but they live in caravan parks and move frequently, and I hereby confess I now just bin it (well, recycle it, if that makes it any better!)

Creature I may never sleep again! Thank you though, will put it to DH as something worth doing.

we have lived here over 12 years and still get bank statements, investment statements for the previous owners! I send it back with a very clear 'Have not lived here for over 12 years' written on the front.
For years we had porn magazines delivered, which I once accidentally opened in front of nan, and we get a christmas card every year from the same family, sent to this address. When they moved out they also left a cat behind but they did come back for the cat.

Here you go: It is ILLEGAL to open someone's mail unless you have justifiable reason for doing so - knowing where the other person lives doesn't give you a reason for opening their mail:

s84 of the Postal Services Act 2000 says:

84Interfering with the mail: general..

(1)A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he?.
(a)intentionally delays or opens a postal packet in the course of its transmission by post, or.
(b)intentionally opens a mail-bag..
(2)Subsections (2) to (5) of section 83 apply to subsection (1) above as they apply to subsection (1) of that section..
(3)A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person?s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him..
(4)Subsections (2) and (3) of section 83 (so far as they relate to the opening of postal packets) apply to subsection (3) above as they apply to subsection (1) of that section..
(5)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.

So it appears that it is an offence to open mail addressed to someone else. Being nosey isn't a reasonable excuse when you can just pop it back in the post marked "not known at this address".

Who gives a shit if it means you can stop the baliffs coming and helping themselves to your property?

You weren't unreasonable to phone the company, you were right to do so as a protection for yourself.

Returning to sender is another option.

Opening mail is illegal.

The problem with any bills being sent to your address is that, if they should default on any, the address will receive bailiffs, not the person. You don't want that!

I know this because I moved into my home and the previous occupier who had rented it was still using the address for a phone. Luckily I could call the letting agent, who opened the mail and were horrified to find it was a red letter bill for failing to pay the last 3 months. It was hundred of pounds debt.

I called the company and they said if I had not called them to inform them, I would have had the bailiffs round, and they would have not stopped to listen to me plead that I am not the person at fault, it is the address they are sent to and they will be forceful if needed.

So always return unopened mail!

We had bailliffs here, looking for the last owners.
We had to send them proof that we were not them. Once that was done, no problem.

I'm sure we've had this discussion about opening post before, and the conclusion was that "incorrectly delivered" means that something addressed to someWHERE else has come to you. Once it is through the door of the address on the envelope it is deemed to be correctly delivered regardless of the name.

But loads of companies ignore it if you return unopened mail. Otherwise why would I still be receiving letters from the same company, year after year, for the previous owners of my house, despite returning them all 'not longer at this address', 'return to sender' or 'not known at this address'.

"A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person?s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.."

Exactly, So it's only an offence if you intend to act to a person's detriment. Opening the post because you're worried about bailiffs turning up at your house is not acting to a person's detriment.

5 years on, and we still occasionally get post for previous tenants. The first couple years it was so bad that I actually got a pre-inked STAMP saying "return to sender, addressee no longer at this address." I suspect, based on what was coming through the post, that they were still running up credit accounts with this address for quite some time. When they moved initially, they told us "do what you want with the mail, we've contacted any that matter." That pretty much says it all.

Did you know most debt collection agencies have the same postcode for their return address?

What you have to do is to open junk mail, find the pre-addressed envelope, jam as much of their crap in it as possible, and post it back. They pay for the service because you've used their pre-printed envelope.

we now return it and write that person hasn't been at this address for over 5 years. I figure if they've been attempting to get credit using this address still, it may at least make the credit agency aware that something is up.

When I bought the house where I live the vendor did not make any arrangements and assumed I would forward all post on but he left the house in such a state i.e. no hot running water, no connection to internet and other odds and ends I sent it all return to sender as I was well mad!

Why can't people just do postal redirection like most civilised considerate people do when they move!

DH and I always argue about what to do with previous tenants' mail. However I'm sick of bailiffs especially as some are not nice and don't follow the rules. One told me if I didn't give them the debtors address I'd do.

I received leters from Dwp last week for a partner I have not seen for years. He has never lived at my adress. I opened them and one was a P45 and the other saying as you are now working, JSA can no longer be paid. I sent them to Dwp saying not at this adress what will happen next. I am on benefits myself and dont need to be linked to him. Will they investigate to find out ehy P45 was sent to my adress.