AIBU - rejecting parcel from previous owners

hotshota · 2025-07-14T18:08:49+00:00

Hi - AIBU opinions please i moved into my new house 16 months ago since I have there has been constant mail arriving for the previous owners. They moved around the corner about 10mins drive away and so when they mistakenly ordered parcels that get delivered. They have popped by to grab them. however last time, I found my next door neighbour who are still good friends with them trying to snatch a parcel from my doorstep as they told him to intercept their parcel. Not cool In my opinion today another parcel came. I rejected the parcel and said to return to sender. Not surprisingly received a text message from them wanting to collect it. To which I told them I rejected it and they have to go sort it out. AIBU? I feel like 16months is more than enough time to get your affairs in order and i am certainly not a post office collection for them.

oodles50 · 14/07/2025 19:11

16 months is more than long enough. It’s not some random marketing / junk mail that’s turning up. They are just not updating the address when they order parcels which is ridiculous!

Dillydollydingdong · 14/07/2025 19:12

I'd leave any parcels on the doorstep or beside it to be collected. If it rains, c'est la vie. I'd also tell the neighbours to stay off my property, and not remove things.

Moonnstars · 14/07/2025 19:14

This sounds bizarre. I can understand forgetting to update their address as a one off, but it sounds like they are deliberately getting parcels still sent to your address. Do you think it's because they got on well with the neighbours and want them to intercept every time (knowing they are home maybe) though if doing that then why not put the neighbours address.

Original poster

hotshota · 14/07/2025 19:18

Moonnstars · 14/07/2025 19:14

This sounds bizarre. I can understand forgetting to update their address as a one off, but it sounds like they are deliberately getting parcels still sent to your address. Do you think it's because they got on well with the neighbours and want them to intercept every time (knowing they are home maybe) though if doing that then why not put the neighbours address.

I have returned to sender driving fines as they haven’t changed their drivers licence address

and also HMRC letters as well

and with the fixes I’ve had to do to the house since I’ve bought…. I’m not surprised they don’t pay attention to the details I have to say

OP posts:

MoveOnTheCards · 14/07/2025 19:54

Just keep returning stuff. We had this in our old place where the previous owner moved across the street and didn’t think it was ‘worth the bother’ of giving her new address when we ‘could just bob stuff over’. 🤔

KarmenPQZ · 14/07/2025 20:08

The driving ones are more serious I think if they haven’t updated their car tax and it affects their insurance too. I think you can fill in a form online for DVLA for it so I’d start there.

I think after 16 months rejecting parcels is valid

blubberyboo · 14/07/2025 20:09

Sounds like they are just
using you as a convenient alternative address when at work etc

ClearHoldBuild · 14/07/2025 20:10

Im with you, return to sender.

isitmytime · 14/07/2025 20:15

This very same thing happened to me but it was from the first house owner and I’m the third.
I think they keep some things registered at my house so they can send their child to the local school out of their new catchment.
I rejected a massive tv and my neighbour who is friends with the old owner was furious and told me I should just give her anything I get for them.
she was told accordingly and every letter gets sent back not at this address.
I even told the school about it as I get registration paperwork for their child.
I know at least one of their cars will be untaxed and uninsured because I binned those letters. After opening them.

I now open everything and write emails to companies etc giving them their new address that I managed to track down,

GreenWheat · 14/07/2025 20:21

There is no good reason for this. Either they just can't be bothered (why? It isn't difficult) or more likely they don't want certain institutions knowing their new address because they are dodgy buggers. Do not pass anything on to them after all this time.

Lifeisinteresting · 14/07/2025 20:22

@hotshota it's annoying isn't we've had same with previous owner of our place, we return to sender as 2 years later it's just bloody lazy.

StrawBeretMoose · 14/07/2025 20:25

The previous owner of our house actually tried to let himself in to collect post about a month after we bought the place and was annoyed that we had changed the locks!

We still get mail after 11 years (often debt collection type letters).

Dearg · 14/07/2025 20:27

StrawBeretMoose · 14/07/2025 20:25

The previous owner of our house actually tried to let himself in to collect post about a month after we bought the place and was annoyed that we had changed the locks!

We still get mail after 11 years (often debt collection type letters).

That is shocking. Glad you had changed the locks .

Op, they are being ridiculous. Absolutely, send them back.

Nearly50omg · 14/07/2025 20:34

Check your credit report - what else are they using your address for is what I would also be worried about!!

Ilovepotato · 14/07/2025 20:38

isitmytime · 14/07/2025 20:15

This very same thing happened to me but it was from the first house owner and I’m the third.
I think they keep some things registered at my house so they can send their child to the local school out of their new catchment.
I rejected a massive tv and my neighbour who is friends with the old owner was furious and told me I should just give her anything I get for them.
she was told accordingly and every letter gets sent back not at this address.
I even told the school about it as I get registration paperwork for their child.
I know at least one of their cars will be untaxed and uninsured because I binned those letters. After opening them.

I now open everything and write emails to companies etc giving them their new address that I managed to track down,

I mean it’s bizarre they haven’t updated their address but opening their mail is illegal.

BeLilacWriter · 14/07/2025 20:46

I had a similar thing, though not to the extent you seem to have had the mickey taken.
After one particular time, when she got snippy with me for not phoning her to let her know a parcel arrived, she honestly thought I would keep on taking in her bloody post! I said in future if I couldn't return to sender It would be recycled. I then gave her a postal redirection form and closed the door. Did it work? did it hell as like! I was still getting post on the day I moved out! I did leave a note for the new tenant explaing the utter cheeky fuckery of her.