Someone using my address for a business

[Finlaggan]

I've lived at my current address for over 8 years. The previous owner used to run his business from home. He is continuing to use my address for his business I know as I inadvertently opened mail for him. I'm aware it's an offence to open others mail-it was a genuine error.

Is there anything I can do?
I have contacted him but he's not responded and is continuing to do it.

He's a pretty horrible character (moving day was very stressful due to his horrible attitude when asked to remove his furniture that he intended to just leave).

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

I should add, we own the property.

Do you forward mail? I would start writing "not known at this address" on his mail and reposting.

Yes I've been doing it over the years but over the last few months the amount of mail for him is increasing.

It is legal to open mail if you think an offence is taking place and after eight years, if someone was using my address for business purposes, that would be a concern of mine.

I would either return as Not Known To Sender or else call the companies direct and nicely request them to update their records - if they don't, formally request in writing and take it further.

Yes, as Hep says - what do you do with the mail?

I would make sure everything is returned with "not known at this address" or "no longer at this address" written very clearly on the envelope.

Whoever is writing to him will then have to phone or e-mail him to obtain his new address.

Why would he be using your address do you think? Anything shady going on do you suspect? Have you had much post for him over the last 8 years?
How odd. I wouldn't forward any more post on to him, just do as PP suggested and return to sender 'not known'.

Can you look to see if business is registered anywhere?

That's my concern over the years we just assumed the mail was circular that hadn't been cancelled or whatever. He's an architectural draughtsman (not registered so I can't advise the ARB) and the mail I opened is from the council regarding his recent application for a building warrant. I've called the council but they've said there isn't anything they can do as it's the address he's given in the application.

Just wondering why, surely he has his own address?!

I had this and I prepared a letter, which I sent to everyone chasing the person / business, along with informing them of the previous owner's solicitor's details, so they could then contact them to get a forwarding address. Also made sure I changed on MPS etc., so clarity about when ownership changed.

His website gives another address.

I have been returning all mail to the post box marked 'not at this address' for years.

Return everything to sender. Occasionally just post it all again.. Your goal is to annoy the postie into waking the fuck up.. Then go back to 'return to sender'
Contact hmrc and companies House direct and tell them no company

Stop forwarding the mail to him. He will soon start updating his address if he can't get his mail.

I don't forward it to him, I put it back in the postbox advising he doesn't live here. Sorry I maybe wasn't clear about that.

Forgot to add that my action stopped the letters and we had bills, parking fines and a great deal more popping through our letterbox. I believe the previous owner thought moving would stop creditors chasing them!

I guess I just can't see the benefit of him using our address rather than his own and I'm worried he might be using it for other things too.

Our property has several ex tenants (we own). After 18 months I stopped returning post to sender. In fact, I open post and then dispose of it, including a letter from the local MP responding regarding one previous tenant refuting the benefit fraud she was committing. And Barclays weren't interested in stopping post because they couldn't take messages from someone not named on the account, despite several calls.

If after 18 months they can't change their address then fuck them. I found that post slowed down more when I just disposed of it versus returning to sender.

Is it a limited company? Of so you can look on the Companies House website and check if the official address being used for tax etc is still yours. If it is then an offence is being committed.

As above, Google Companies House and search the business name or previous owners name and see if you are the registered office or correspondence address.

It may be he cannot use his current address as he is renting so is still using yours.

Also, if it is a limited company, he will need to confirm his business address and other details each year with companies house, so it won't be an accident. I'm not sure how you could resolve it though tbh!

Sometimes it will just be junk. Are these letters from companies house or the HMRC or are they just trying to sell stuff?

Thanks I'll check out companies house. Honestly I've no idea what has been sent on the past I just mark them 'not at this address' and put them in the post box.

I'm just suspicious as the amount has increased recently and the one I opened was clearly as a result of him lodging something with our address.

I was going to suggest looking up the business on companies house. I would maybe write to them explaining your concerns.

What was the post you opened? My previous tenant kept getting mail delivered to my address and after returning it for a year it kept coming so I opened it to find its from bailiffs. Called them. Proved I was the current owner and they stopped sending mail here. Sometimes you need to intervene.