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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

On a scale of 1-10 how unreasonable AM I, opening someone else's post?

74 replies

SortYourOwnBloodyPost · 18/02/2021 11:48

I really don't give a fuck about legalities at this point.

Its been 16 months since we bought this house.

At the beginning I kindly messaged the previous tenants about their fucking constant post.
They came to collect it many times.
8, id say. Therefore PLENTY of times to contact the companies.

I sent bloody loads of post "return to sender no longer at this address, but it kept coming

I got sick of it after a year, I messaged on here for advice, someone said that the company who kept sending was a debt collectors.
So I opened it and it was.
I contacted the previous people and asked for their address. I will contact the companies for them.

So I have. I've had to write to these companies because I don't have time to sit on hold with them
for effing ages.

One company I wrote to several times. But they ignore and now it's with the debt collectors.

Now here's my current beef.

I got another one form Scottish Power this morning. They owe money. Surprise!

I took a pic, sent it to her and said again that I've had enough of all these bloody debts.

She was effing and blinding at me, she's going to call the police, they have paid the debt (no you haven't) and it's an "ongoing dispute"

And ongoing dispute but they are keeping the fucking dispute as MY address?!

The audacity?!

So, scale of 1-10?

I say minus 23 at this point.

OP posts:
MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 18/02/2021 11:49

I think the dog tore open the post and you saw it was important

TheDailyCarbunkle · 18/02/2021 11:50

It is against the law.

What you should do is just bin the letters and get on with you life, rather than getting involved in the affairs of people who clearly aren't very sensible or nice.

Don't open any more letters or send anymore messages. This isn't your problem.

Hoppinggreen · 18/02/2021 11:53

According to the 2000 postal service act it’s only illegal if you do it without good reason and if doing so delays it getting to the person it belongs too
So neither illegal or unreasonable

PanamaPattie · 18/02/2021 11:53

Bin the letters and move on with your life.

Original poster
SortYourOwnBloodyPost · 18/02/2021 11:54

@TheDailyCarbunkle

It is against the law.

What you should do is just bin the letters and get on with you life, rather than getting involved in the affairs of people who clearly aren't very sensible or nice.

Don't open any more letters or send anymore messages. This isn't your problem.

I believe it isn't illegal. And as I said in my OP, I don't give a fuck about legalities at this point.

Also, I don't want the bailiffs at my door - so it is my problem.

OP posts:
TakeTheCuntOutOfScunthorpe · 18/02/2021 11:54

Don't open them. Just return to sender. When you move, it's a risk you take - I still get letters for previous occupants after being here for more than five years. If you don't want that, either never move or always make sure you move to new builds.

It's OK to open them to find information on the intended target to send back to the sender, but if you are repeatedly getting letters from the same sender you don't really have that excuse.

I certainly wouldn't be forwarding or contacting the intended recipient - it's none of your business.

Nanasueathome · 18/02/2021 11:55

@TheDailyCarbunkle

It is against the law.

What you should do is just bin the letters and get on with you life, rather than getting involved in the affairs of people who clearly aren't very sensible or nice.

Don't open any more letters or send anymore messages. This isn't your problem.

But it is a problem for the OP as debt collectors will visit her address as that’s what they have for previous occupants
TierFourTears · 18/02/2021 11:57

I'm with you on the negative scale.
BUT, now you have their address, I would go to Scottish power website, and contact them, stating they moved out on 31/2/2019, and forwarding address is 1 Main St, Their Town.
I've had sucess with this with a bank card (and no forwarding address) and credit card debt.

BlueTimes · 18/02/2021 11:58

You will probably do better to let the debt collectors visit you. A quick chat to explain they have moved, provide their new address or details you have for them, and proof you bought the property on XX address will end the letters quicker than anything else.

gobbynorthernbird · 18/02/2021 11:58

It isn't illegal for the OP to open the post unless she's doing it to the detriment of the addressee. For example, it she opens an envelope containing a credit card intending to use that card.

OP, have you called these companies? That can sometimes get more of a response.

Cuddling57 · 18/02/2021 11:58

I think the law on this should allow for who owns the property at the address it's being sent to!
Perfectly reasonable to open letters addressed to your own house!
I'd even be tempted to pretend I was the person and ring the company to give the new address! What a cheek they are letting you get the bailiff letters! Although I guess these companies record there phone calls so I'd probably get into more trouble Confused

Original poster
SortYourOwnBloodyPost · 18/02/2021 11:59

@BlueTimes

You will probably do better to let the debt collectors visit you. A quick chat to explain they have moved, provide their new address or details you have for them, and proof you bought the property on XX address will end the letters quicker than anything else.
This was what I thought, but its many different debts

Will I get many different visits? Or will they come about all of them?

OP posts:
Cuddling57 · 18/02/2021 11:59

*their

Original poster
SortYourOwnBloodyPost · 18/02/2021 11:59

@gobbynorthernbird

It isn't illegal for the OP to open the post unless she's doing it to the detriment of the addressee. For example, it she opens an envelope containing a credit card intending to use that card.

OP, have you called these companies? That can sometimes get more of a response.

Yes but I'm on hold for such a long time and I just don't have time.

There's so many different ones to call as well

OP posts:
iklboo · 18/02/2021 11:59

Scottish Power are a shower of shite so I'm not surprised they've not updated their records. Maybe swing GDPR at them and the debt collectors for failure to keep correct records?

Vixyboo · 18/02/2021 12:00

I have just left Scottish Power. The only reason I didn't tear my hair out is cos it has taken a bloody long time to grow it after loads of bloody chemo. I totally get you dont want debt collectors at your door. Can you ask CAB for advice?

Vixyboo · 18/02/2021 12:01

@iklboo

Scottish Power are a shower of shite so I'm not surprised they've not updated their records. Maybe swing GDPR at them and the debt collectors for failure to keep correct records?
Yes yes yes totally
Original poster
SortYourOwnBloodyPost · 18/02/2021 12:02

GDPR?

OP posts:
JustLyra · 18/02/2021 12:02

Tbh it’s utterly pointless bothering to call or write. Just know where your ID is so that when they knock you can show it. Once you’ve done that the calls and letters tail off very quickly.

Companies are not going to take a phone call or letter as proof that the people in question have moved because they’re debt dodgers and “they’ve moved, I’m not them” is exactly the kind of thing a debt dodger would do.

Original poster
SortYourOwnBloodyPost · 18/02/2021 12:02

It isn't just Scottish power,
Its many others

OP posts:
AlwaysCheddar · 18/02/2021 12:04

0 fucks given to you opening the post! Go for it!

Motnight · 18/02/2021 12:04

I think that you are becoming too involved. Let the debt collectors turn up, show them your ID.

JustLyra · 18/02/2021 12:04

Don’t attack them over GPDR. They’re sending letters to an address and they have no proof that it’s wrong.

The best way to deal with it is to politely tell them when they come (which they will) that you’ve had loads of hassle, this is your ID, you moved in on X date and can they please amend their record now they have proof.

Love51 · 18/02/2021 12:07

Gdpr are the data protection regs.
Your address is your person data and it is being misused. They are obliged to update it when you tell them or they are in breach.

WhatAreWordsWorth · 18/02/2021 12:09

We are having exactly the same issue. I could’ve written your post.

Since buying our house 18 months ago it’s obvious that the previous owners have never even attempted to redirect their post. They were a family of 5 including adult DC and one of them ran a business from here so we got tonnes of it.

We spent the first few months doing the Return to Sender stuff which didn’t work very well - we still get loads of their post even now. This has included numerous parking/unpaid fines, debt collection letters and threats from bailiffs. We even got a fine for a traffic offence that was only committed a few months ago!

I’ve contacted a few of them to explain the situation and they’ve all been understanding about it, but I’m half expecting bailiffs to turn up at the door one day... no wonder they’ve never bothered to redirect anything!

I feel your pain. It’s a hassle and just so bloody annoying, all because they can’t deal with their own affairs.

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