Removal notice for previous tenants debt

[ChrisSleath]

I moved into this property in Aug 2011 but after being here a few months started to get a lot of letters for the previous tenant. These we returned to sender. Then we got hand delivered letters demanding payment of outstanding debts from a few firms. I sent proof that I was now living here and not the previous tenant and have heard nothing from one of the firms since then.

However with Philips despite my calling them ( at expense to myself as 08 numbers are extortionate) and sent a copy of my water bill they claim to have not received this. I banded around the word harrassement in the latest phone call and made it clear how unhappy and distressed about this both me and my wife are. The letters stopped for a month or two but one has just landed on my doorstep again.

Any advise would be gratefully received.

[teaboy2]

Re: Removal notice for previous tenants debt

First of all did you send the water bill by recorded delivery and was it signed for?

If you didn't send recorded delivery then i suggest you do so and then check royal mail website and take a screen shot or download it and print it off as proof they received it and signed for it.

Secondly, what type of debt are they harassing you for - Credit card, loan, Council Tax, Rent etc?

Once you answer we can then give you the apporiate advice, as there are different ways of dealing with different types of debt you see. If its council tax then philips would be acting as a bailif (which from the thread title it sounds like thats the case) where if its a loan or credit card, then they are simply acting as a standard debt collector and not as a bailif. But its very important we know for sure.

We also need to know what the letters where that they send you, where they just demands for payment, satutory demands, particulars of claim, bailif visit letters, bailif lavy letters (if a levy what goods have they levied and did they come into your home) and where any of those letters actually addressed to you by name or where they all to the previous tenant? All the info you can give the better we can help you.

[ChrisSleath]

Re: Removal notice for previous tenants debt

Thanks for the response. Unfortunaty I didn't send it recorded delivery so will do that on Monday and hopefully that will be the end of it.
The debt is for a fine due to HMCTS. The most recent letter is a removal notice in which is stated "we have visited your property today with the intention of seizing and removing your goods to clear arrears you have failed to pay.
Blahblah.....
we may re-attend your property with a locksmith to remove any seized goods ( as Iaw the law), even in your absence. Etc etc....."
Surely if this is not my debt they cannot do this. In fact can they do this even if the debt was mine?
Myself and my wife are both on the electoral role so surely they can see from that we both live here, plus giving proof of my residence does not in any way prove that the person who owes the money no longer lives here so why are they so insistent on seeing proof of address?

[cards down]

Re: Removal notice for previous tenants debt

We MAY re-attend........ Not we WILL re-attend. Sounds like a scare tactic to me. Maybe you should send them an email explaining the situation at least that way they can not deny receiving your correspondence.

[bluebottle]

Re: Removal notice for previous tenants debt

You need to send Philips a very strongly-worded letter by Special Delivery which is guaranteed to be delivered the next posting day. In the same envelope, include a photocopy of your water bill. Also, contact the Fines Officer at the Magistrates Court that imposed the fine on the previous tenant asap and explain to to them what is going on, asking them to give a firm yank on Philips' choke chain to bring them to heel. As a precaution, I would also attend your local police station, in person, with copies of Philips' threatening correspondence and a photocopy of your water bill to prove your residence. They need to be made aware of what is going on and of Philips' attitude.

I will put a template letter together for you and post it up separately.

[bluebottle]

Re: Removal notice for previous tenants debt

Template letter to send to Philips.