Debts left at property i have moved into?

hi i have just moved into a new property and everyday keep getting bills through for the last tenant, so far i have 4 catalogue debts one furniture company that she is supposed to pay off weekly and today have found that she has left a debt on the gas meter, have contacted the estate agents who have moved her and they were not helpful and have spoken to landlord who also has no forwarding address, everytime the bills come through i call up to let them know she no longer lives there but as i understand it they will blacklist the property, help what do i do???

real estate guy.. thats a bit harsh, surley it is my business if im going to have them knocking on MY DOOR looking for there money, she should have cancelled them if she did not want me opening her post, i have no forwarding address, ok so maybe i shouldn't have opened her post but its hardly sticking my nose into someone elses business its my home>>

Hi, I am currently have the same problems. We moved into our property August 2007 and have had endless dept letters for the last tenants, and we have had 2 different debt collectors knocking at the door.

As for the debt collectors I showed them my tenancy agreement with the start of the tenancy on and my ID and they apologised and said they wont come back.

The debt letters we get I telephone the people that sent them and they asked me to send a copy of the tenancy agreement. I have done this now I dint receive them anymore.

I understand that it is frustrating that this happens but just keep on top of them, and don't worry you will not have to pay back other peoples debts.

Hope this helps!

Stop opening her mail which is obviously how you know about these catalogue debts etc. Write on the envelope "Not at this address, return to sender" and put them in the post box. When you moved in you should have phoned your gas company and informed them you had moved in and provided them with the latest meter reading. You will not be blacklisted as these are not your debts.

since u are a renter , the last tenants bills are not ur propblems. put them in trash can.
as for gas bill = not ur problem. gas company can not make u pay others bills.
u pay ur bills. as for ' blacklisting a property' that is bovine manure .

You must not be in the US. In the US a debt is linked to a name (and social security number) not an address. If bills come in the mail we just simply write "no longer at this address" on the envelope and put it back in the mail box. The postal service will either return the letter to the sender or forward it to the correct address. As for the gas meter, the account should change names each time there is a new tenant. So, if she owes on her bill it doesn't effect your gas service. Never heard of blacklisting a property in the US.

Gem has given you very good advice.

Write 'not known at this address' on the envelopes and post them back. it's pain but thats what we were advised when we moved into our place. they do stop eventually. get a credit check done via equifax. 拢2.00 for a statutory one it gives a run down off all the names that have used that address for the past two years (i think) so you'll be able to see if she is still using it.

Good luck.

Gem is correct - your first mistake was to open post not addressed to you (which is an offence). The debts are the problem of the people to whom money is owed and you should leave them to sort it out.

The best thing to do is contact the land registry and make them aware that you have no connection with this person and any ccjs, arrears, baliffs and associates will have no hold over you or that address. Unfortunately it may not sto[ the calls, but it does mean that the people chasing the debts will have to stop chasing you, as they will automatically assume you either are or have a connection with the debtor. Also get in touch with Experian or a credit agency and find out what has been logged against the property, if they can not help you directly with removing the black listing they can get you in touch with someone that can. You may have to apply to court (small minimal cost involved), but it will save you the hassle.
It is really annoying and sometimes quite frightening when someone else's debts come knocking at your door, but trust me there are ways and means of getting over this!!

STOP OPENING HER BILLS!!!

And now that you have called them back, they have YOUR phone number on record. I bet that they believe that you are just calling and telling them they "she" now longer lives there.

By taking it upon yourself to open her mail, call them back and get involved, you have exposed yourself.

Next time, don't stick your nose into something that wasn't your business.

You are NOT responsible for any of these bills.

I've purchased property in the past with similar problems. I put everything in writing and inform the writer that (name) has left the property with effect from (date) and as you are now the new tenant you do not wish to be inconvenienced with the debtors correspondence. Advise them that you will be returning any future mail marked "Not known at this address" and put anything further from that company back in the mail box. You cannot dispose of the mail as that's illegal but you will have done your bit to sort the problem. If any debt is linked to the property it will be in the previous person's name and should not affect anything linked to you. Eventually they give up sending things.

If the post isnt addressed to you then its illegal for you to open them (UK), just write on the envelope, not known at this address, and pop it back into a post box, if anyone actually comes round to the house then do not let them into your property but show them proof of who you are if they request it for their records. Properties dont get blacklisted, only people do.

Good finance question! I know of an organization that gives up to $1500 to people to help them with their rent or mortgage. It's available in most US cities, I highly suggest you check it out.


http://www.money-for-house-mortgage-rent...

Best of Luck.