As a landlord, you are likely to encounter some complications or additional responsibilities from time to time. For instance, if a tenant fails to give their forwarding address to the postal service after moving out, you may find yourself receiving their mail indefinitely.
Ideally, great tenants should always provide a forwarding address upon moving out, but people may sometimes forget to do so or may take a while to get around to it.
These circumstances can sometimes be a little frustrating, which is why it is important to learn how to solve such a problem and reduce the chances of it happening again.
In this article, the expert team from Evolve Nevada shares their practical expertise and goes over the best ways to deal with mail from previous tenants.
How Do You Stop Receiving Your Previous Tenants’ Mail?
When a landlord finds themself receiving their previous tenant’s mail, the first step is to write a message for the mail carrier on the package or envelope and put it back in the mailbox.
You can write “Vacated the premises,” “Moved to a different address,” or “Return to sender.” Any of these messages will inform the postal service that the recipient is not at this address.
Once the mail carrier receives the message, they can take it back to their offices. If they have a new address from the recipient, they will begin forwarding the mail accordingly.
If that does not work, make sure to check the mail for a barcode. To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their delivery system, the United States Postal Service has started using barcodes.
These barcodes contain relevant information, such as the recipient’s name and address, and are used to facilitate mail distribution.
If the mail has a barcode, make sure to cross it out and write “Return to sender” next to it. This prevents the system from automatically scanning and sending the mail back to you. This will alert the postal service to the change of address and allow them to take care of the mail accordingly.
Should you still find yourself receiving mail from previous tenants, the next option is to write a note for the mail carrier and leave it inside the mailbox.
You can write something along the lines of, “Former Tenant [Name] no longer resides at this address, and all messages belonging to them should be returned to sender. Please only leave mail intended for Current Tenant [Name].”
Most postal carriers will positively receive the message and make a change moving forward.
If you still continue receiving the previous tenant’s mail, we recommend that you visit your local post office and make an appointment to speak with the postmaster to discuss the change of address.
Common Questions about Receiving a Previous Tenant’s Mail
Why Should I Care about Obtaining a Former Tenant’s Forwarding Address?
Even if a tenant has left the property in impeccable condition, without any tenant damages, and you do not foresee needing to resolve any issues with them, it is crucial to request their forwarding address.
Not only will you still need to forward their security deposit to them, but having a previous tenant’s new address could help resolve any outstanding mail issues.
Can I Dispose of the Former Tenant's Mail?
While it may be tempting to shred or throw out a previous tenant’s mail, especially as it begins to pile on, it is very important that landlords refrain from doing so. It is illegal for anyone other than the recipient to open, shred, or discard their mail.
Make sure to stay compliant at all times and take the appropriate steps when dealing with someone else’s mail.
As their Former Landlord, Can I Fill Out a Previous Tenant’s Change of Address Form?
Besides the former tenant themself, only a guardian, executor, or authorized agent can legally fill out a Change of Address form on their behalf. Doing so as a landlord may seem faster or easier than the alternative, but it could lead to a number of unwanted consequences.
Make sure to stay legally compliant and avoid filling out a previous tenant’s Change of Address form for them.
Conclusion
While receiving a former resident’s mail can be quite tiresome, it is best not to open, shred, or dispose of it. Instead, we recommend that you follow the advice provided by the experienced team at Evolve Nevada.
If you still have questions about dealing with a previous tenant’s mail, or if you want a property expert to help you manage your rental business, consider partnering with the professional property management company Evolve Nevada!
We are the leading service provider in the Nevada region, serving hundreds of properties in Reno, Sparks, and beyond. Our experience, integrity, and professionalism are second to none. Get in touch with us today and request a quote for our professional services and solutions.
