DLC Debt collectors set on me by an ex, help!

[Mowbly]

Hello,
Five years ago I moved in with my (now ex) partner for around 1 year. We had a verbal agreement that I would pay a set amount each month to cover rent and bills. We have now been separated for four years and recently she asked for my address to forward on a letter. Now I am being harassed on the phone and by post by DLC debt collectors who say I owe thousands of pounds for council tax and bills. My ex is wealthy and can afford to pay DLC privately to pursue this. I am concerned that they will turn up at my door.

Could anyone tell me what my rights are in this situation? It seems crazy that with enough money, anyone could hire these people to harass an ex-partner!

I never signed any tenancy agreement or anything linking me to that property, is this legal?

Many thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

[Guest]

Re: DLC Debt collectors set on me by an ex, help!

First & foremost, you are not liable for council tax if there is no liability order issued in your name. I'm guessing from the tone of your post that your ex has engaged DLC on her own accord in order to pursue you for money. The time to worry about council tax arrears is when EA's contact you, not a DCA.

I can only tell you what I would do:

I would write back to DLC advising that they have an obligation to ascertain that a debt actually exists before they start harassing you with ridiculous claims. Can they please confirm that due diligence has been carried out and that a debt actually exists. Inform DLC that you no longer wish to discuss this matter via telephone and that all further communication must be in letter format. I would also inform DLC that during the time you cohabited together, it was you who settled all the bills. Should this stupidity continue, you shall be engaging a DCA yourself to pursue monies owed to you by your ex.

You hope common sense will prevail in this futile and ridiculous claim but should it not, DLC need to be left in no doubt of your intentions.

I don't know what your ex was thinking or who has sewn these crazy ideas into her head but she needs to be made aware that there will be no winners in this. As a worst case scenario, the matter could go to a small claims court where there would be claim & counterclaim. There is a chance that the judge could award costs against your ex for launching a claim that was unreasonable with no realistic chance of succeeding. DLC could even be working on a "no win no fee" basis which means your ex is not paying anything. If that is the case, DLC will soon loose interest when they realise that you won't buckle on this.

[Wombats]

Re: DLC Debt collectors set on me by an ex, help!

I've picked up on the words, "I am now being harassed ......."

There was a case not long ago where someone logged all calls, letters etc.... and took action under The Protection from Harassment Act and won substantial damages. Celestine wrote a template letter for this, but I can't find it.