I moved into a house with my girlfriend 18 months ago and we still get letters and phone calls for the previous owner form their childrens school, banks, horse club (don't ask) my girl friend accidently opened a smear test appointment letter, we did the right thing and called the NHS to say she'd moved and yet we still get letters etc. . They didn't even leave a forwarding address!!
To top it all off, tonight I had a women on the phone (I assume it was a friend) asking to speak to the previous owner and she didn't even know she had moved!! Is there anything legally I can do (other than move house!)??
(forgot to add this in earlier, sorry)
I have already sent back mail (to the royal mail) saying not known at this address and have been doing so for the past 18 months
Should I really have to change my number, why should I take the time to change it and tell all ou friends & family just because she couldn't be bothered to tell anyone?
HELP!! - I'm going out of my mind!
2007-02-15 06:00:32 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No legal obligation at all I'm afraid - I sympathise - 4 years after buying our house we were still getting calls/mail for the previous owner!
Don't bother sending mail back to Royal Mail - Mark ALL envelopes - NO LONGER AT ADDRESS - ANY FURTHER MAIL WILL BE TREATED AS HARRASSMENT RETURN TO SENDER.
That stopped most of our problems!
The other problem is a lot of the mail is sent automatically - you need to get onto the MAIL PREFERENCE SERVICE - register andthey will issue details to all auto mailing companies to stopthe mail - it works
2007-02-15 06:08:15 · answer #1 · answered by jamand 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How irritating!
I'm afraid that there is no legal obligation on the previous owner to make sure their mail is forwarded when they move. A person moving house ideally should contact the post office who can provide a service (that has to be paid for) that forwards all mail to the new address.
You have no obligation to forward the mail, especially as the previous occupant has not left their forwarding address. I would suggest that you recycle (without opening) anything addressed to them.
What you can do is contact the mail preference service - which can be done on the web, and complete the form that cuts down the junk mail to your address - this saves quite a bit of recyling. Similarly, there is a phone preference service which cuts out unsolicited calls. This is free.
It seems very strange that the school, GP etc have not twigged that the people that they are trying to contact moved 18 months ago. I agree it's very annoying. Rather than moving house why don't you contact your phone provider and ask about going exdirectory (which is free) or even changing your phone number.
Hope this helps!
2007-02-15 07:05:19 · answer #2 · answered by whackyfunckylady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had the same problem for my last 3 house's and with the mail the only thing you can do is go down to your local sorting office and tell them the only mail you want delivered to your house is the ones addressed to your and your family (give the names of the people in your house) and the phone calls will stop eventually or you could answer by stating the family name (hello smith residence)
2007-02-16 00:13:10 · answer #3 · answered by nat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No legal obligation. They must notify the school but that doesnt mean every dept got the message.
2007-02-15 06:10:02 · answer #4 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, I still get mail and phone calls for my father and he has been DEAD for FIVE YEARS.
Deal with it. If this is the worst problem in your life... wanna trade?
2007-02-15 06:40:54 · answer #5 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋