Council at my door...

[OnNaturesCourse]

Had two people come to my door from my local council looking for someone I've never heard of today . They stated they are looking to speak to this person urgently.

I said never heard of the name or person and they went away no further questions.

I've just now received a letter (post man) addressed to this person with my address on it. I haven't opened the letter. But I am now concerned someone is using my address for council tax or benefits etc. Wondering if I should open the letter and, if it is council or other contactable organisation, give them a call to try and explain what's happening? Or is it unreasonable to open others mail? (I've actually heard it's illegal...)

How concerning could the situation of someone using my address be? I guess they could have genuinely used the wrong house number on a form etc but surely the council should have pretty accurate details. I mean I pay the council tax for my home so my name is recorded here.

I used to have this as my house was previously rented to an.optician and letters would arrive regularly.Eventually I opened a letter and it was an invoice for supplies, I rang the company and explained and thankfully had no more letters.

Ring the company or department on the letter and advise them that you have already told the two officials that called that you don't know who the man is and he has.neber lived here. Ask them to stop sending mail to your address.

Do not open it. You’re breaking the law.

return to sender not known on envelope.

they cannot collect debt against you.

🙄

Not against the law at all, stop spouting crap.

Postal services act says otherwise. You need a reasonable excuse. In this case there is none as it can be returned to the sender.

Specifically “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”.

It's certainly not illegal to accidentally open a letter particularly if you've had several letters together. Let's say you did open it accidentally. It's not unreasonable to contact the sender. Maybe take a pic too in case you're asked to stick it back in post. This'll be handy if you get another one. You're wise not to ignore it.

See above. Eye roll indeed.

Incorrect. The key word is AND reasonable excuse. You must be interning to act to a person's detriment AND not have a reasonable excuse. Not "or." If you have a reasonable excuse you are more than entitled to open anything sent to your address. The postal services act says:

(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.

If the OP (or anyone) is not planning to use the info to someone else's detriment or has a reasonable excuse (such as letting the sender know) there is absolutely nothing stopping you opening someone's mail, providing its been delivered to your address.

Nope. Incorrect.

Actual legislation right here.

interesting that you skipped right past (1).

Part 1 refers ONLY to opening mail or a mailbag in the course of it's transmission, which means as it's going through the mail service. It does NOT encompass what happens after the item has been delivered to the end address.
Just stop talking about something you don't understand.

It’s in the course of transmission until it’s delivered to the recipient.

You stop. Because you don’t know.

Once again, you're totally incorrect.
The course of transmission stops when it's delivered to the intended address, not the intended addressee. Which is exactly why you're able to post something without an addressee name on the envelope, because the address is all that matters in terms of mail transmission.

@Greentree1 , I can’t agree re debt collectors. After buying a flat from someone who I believe had returned to his own country, no forwarding address, I was soon inundated with mail for him - he owed money all over the place - banks, utilities, you name it. At least £20k altogether.
Retuning to sender with ‘no longer at this address’ had zero effect.

In the end I had to open the mail and write to everyone, inc. debt collectors, explaining - they all replied and asked for some documentary proof, e.g. my CT bill, which I sent - 12 letters in all IIRC.

They were all extremely reasonable and backed off at once.

@niugboo then please explain to what subsections 2-5 apply to then.

I think you have to read the quoted legislation in conjunction with section 83 (which is referred to in section 84).

To me it makes a distinction between 'in the course of transmission' and 'delivered'.

Forgot to post it.

Go google it. Find me a source that clearly states it’s fine to open mail not addressed to you and then we can talk.

Why? I, and others, have posted the legislation that details what the postal services act actually says and the definition behind it. Why do you think some random Google search trumps the actual legislation?

I have read the legislations and summaries of it. So yeah, something that backs up your incorrect interpretation.

84 Interfering with the mail: general.
(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.

So you're saying you've read the legislation, the definitions and don't understand it. Got it.
Let me know when you find a Google search (because apparently you believe everything on the internet) that has more of a legal standing than the actual legislation.

So you won’t back it up then with anything? Ok cool. Thanks!

I, and many other posters here, have explained that you're wrong and why that is. I won't continue to argue with someone who isn't smart enough to realise it.

If you feel the need to have the last word in some deluded idea of your being right, feel free to reply with some misplaced, snappy comment. It won't change the correct interpretation of the legislation, that you've failed to understand, but whatever helps you sleep at night.

Have a wonderful evening.