Buyer having post delivered

[llittledoveblue]

We’ve just returned home from a weekend away and amongst our post is a letter with our buyers name on it.

To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it. We haven’t exchanged contracts yet, although we’re all ready to go there was an issue with a survey further up the chain last week so that person has just found a new property. Although everyone is keen to exchange the end of next month this of course isn’t guaranteed.

The letter is from Next and states “important documents enclosed”.
which also concerns me as they had asked to buy our sofa but we had to say no as it isn’t very old and we need it for the new house but we informed them it was from Next.
now I don’t know if this is just order confirmation or furniture or if they’ve potentially taken out finance on it which is a big worry as if we don’t complete by the end of the month their mortage offer expires and they will need to reapply.

obviously it could be neither. But still odd they’ve used our address as anything could happen or am I overthinking it?

I wouldn't open it and lie about it, I would just open it. I would rather know. If they have taken out finance, you will be forewarned. If they haven't, it will be one less thing to worry about.

Contact the EA and see how they respond.

I unintentionally got mail delivered to my new house, months before actually completing. We were having to break the chain before completing and needed a long stop completion on the new house. Getting insurance for it was a PITA and I ended up speaking to Direct Line about it and to see if it was possible and for a price. Anyway, the call handler knew the situation, I explained I didn't live there I might not even get to live there (the chain was shaky to say the least!) but despite this they did (or didn't) check whatever box on their system that would have stopped the bloody quote going to the new address!

I was mortified when we moved in about 5 months later and the sellers had left the unopened envelope for me. I did mean to complain to Direct Line but never got round to it in amongst the moving in chaos. But I am still embarrassed about it now.

Big overreaction all over the place on this thread given that there is no evidence of anything wrong (no one will be able to take a meaningful loan with your address since it won't match any information that banks or credit score companies have on them), and there are completely innocuous explanations - for example, if they search for broadband providers for the new house (which would be prudent to do) or get quotes for he insurance (necessary to do pre-exchange), the companies will generally send letters with their name and the new address. Something similar might have happened here.

Been lurking on this for a bit now!
I’m not too convinced that this is a finance. ‘Important documents’ could be because they took out an insurance policy on furniture for instance. In order to pass a credit check, they would need to have been registered at the property address for it to come up on their credit file so in that sense, they’re not using your address for that. They could have just put it as the delivery / correspondence address but with the waiting times for sofas sometimes, they can give you a lead time of 10+ weeks in the extremes. That would take them well over the exchange / completion timeframe. If something falls through, they can redirect the delivery. I understand it feels cheeky though.

I would open it. I didn’t notice the name on it.

I had this. I wrote 'Not at this address' on the envelope and posted back in the post box. Never heard anything more.

I do the same after moving house if the previous occupant has not redirected their post.

Yes, but your mortgage would have to be very borderline for the credit on a sofa to make any difference, a car yes... but so far it's very very very unlikely.

I'm not sure if it is the general consensus, actually, but whatever.

You said How do I know how many other things they’ve used my address for, so telling other people...

Taking out finance at the stage might not be the best idea, but it's only for a Sofa not for a brand-new car or anything. If the mortgage changes on them taking out 1500 in finance,then there could be 101 reasons why their mortgage doesn't proceed, which at that point affect you, but the actual finance is still not any of your business, not to mention the fact that you don't even know that they have taken out finance.

You asked if you were being unreasonable, you shouldn't be surprised that some people will think you are, I think you are getting yourself into a state about something that's really not necessary. It's so easy to do once you've sold and are waiting for exchange completion, but it won't do you any good.

I hope it all goes smoothly.

No it isn't.

if you read that correctly, you will see that none of that applies in the situation.

It would not be illegal in this situation for the OP to open the letter

You don’t know they have taken out credit?

I agree with PP saying you’re making a big fuss about a letter addressed to your buyer. I’ve had this before and taken it as a good sign that the buyer is committed. People do sometimes give their new address for items that will take months to arrive, knowing they can change the address if the house sale falls through.

Seems like a big fuss about nothing. Pop it on the side and leave for them when they move in.