Hi, apologies if this is an old thread but here is my experience of old debtors at new property
1. First of all, the law has changed and there is no tie between an individual and their address in terms of black lists or anything. However, some companies may have their own customer databases and you never know if an address may be on that.
2. Phone your council ASAP and get the names of people at the property updated on the Electoral Register. This is free and don't wait for the annual one they send in the post. This is the first thing most companies use to check when applying for credit so if the previous occupants (POs) are on it they may still be getting credit.
3. Also speak to the Council Tax Department to make sure they are up to date as well.
4. I know you are not supposed to open mail but after a few months you will get fed up of posting stuff back. Royal Mail has no obligation to deliver 'return to sender' email unless posted 1st class recorded so I think they just bin it. If any letters arrive without return addresses on, bin them as they can't have been that important.
5. When you get a letter, google the 'return address' on the back and it will probably turn out to be a Debt collection agency. Open it, phone the number on the letter and tell them you are the new occupant. Know the date you moved in as they will want that. Some also ask for a faxed copy of a recent utility bill at the address in your name so keep one handy. Many of them now have automated phone options for this so often you don't need to speak to them at all.
6. If anyone calls at the property about debt. Be nice and open the door before they ring it (if you see them get out of the van). Most are very nice and will be glad you are not the person as they still get paid for the visit without any extra work. Keep some ID and a bill from (4) above to show them.
7. If you get any parking tickets or anything vehicle related (such as bills for Petrol where the POs 'lost their wallet'), tell the Police and the DVLA as the POs have probably got a driving licence with their old address on.
8. Do not provide a forwarding address (if you know one), mobile numbers or anything that will look like you know the POs to anyone. Do not give anyone any idea where they might be now (again if you know it).
9. Be wary of any deliveries to your address for any items you did not order. Refuse delivery even if it is in your name and call the company who sent it (the store/website , not the parcel company). The POs can often do a small order from a catalogue before ordering a TV for a different address.
10. Be extra wary of any uninvited callers offering goods or services at your door. They may be linked to the POs and attempting to confirm if you/they are there and other information. Look out of the window as they go to see if they try your knocking at your neighbours door or just go away.
12. Its a good idea to use the free credit scoring 30 day trials from Experian etc to be aware of any attempts to use your name or address. If you bought the house from the POs and they know your name, they could use this and the address they know to try and get credit.
13. Police, DVLA , Debt Collection agencies are not stupid and won't want to waste their time. As soon as you have told them you are not linked to the POs, they will quickly move on to other means to get them.
14. The POs themselves will soon get wise if they are still using your address. Using the old driving licence only works for about 3 months before the DVLA cancel it.
OK thats it, I went throught it myself for about 6 months to a year. It definitely stops though.
Regards
