Introduction
When moving into a new home or apartment, it can be frustrating to continue receiving mail intended for the previous tenant. Not only can this clutter up your mailbox, but it may also lead to privacy concerns if sensitive information is being delivered to the wrong person. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to stop mail from the previous tenant and ensure that your own mail is delivered correctly.
Contact the Postal Service
Notify the Postal Service: The first and most important step is to contact your local Postal Service branch and inform them about the situation. Provide them with your new address and explain that you are receiving mail intended for the previous tenant. They will update their records and make a note to deliver only mail addressed to you in the future.
Fill out a Change of Address Form: Another option is to fill out a Change of Address Form with the Postal Service. This will redirect any mail addressed to the previous tenant to your new address. However, keep in mind that this is a temporary solution and may not be effective if the previous tenant has already updated their address with the sender.
Return to Sender
Write “Return to Sender” on the Envelope: If you receive mail addressed to the previous tenant, simply write “Return to Sender” on the envelope and put it back in the mailbox. The Postal Service will then return the mail to the sender, indicating that the intended recipient is no longer at that address.
Inform the Sender: If you know the sender of the mail, such as a specific company or individual, it may be helpful to contact them directly and inform them of the situation. Provide them with your new address and request that they update their records to ensure future mail is sent to the correct recipient.
Mark as “No Longer at This Address”
File a Change of Address with the Sender: Some mail may continue to be delivered to your address even after notifying the Postal Service. In these cases, it can be helpful to contact the sender directly and file a Change of Address form with them. This will update their records and ensure that future mail is sent to the correct address.
Mark as “No Longer at This Address”: If you receive mail that is not addressed to you or the previous tenant, you can mark it as “No Longer at This Address” and put it back in the mailbox. The Postal Service will then return the mail to the sender, indicating that the intended recipient is no longer associated with that address.
Conclusion
Stopping mail from a previous tenant can be a frustrating process, but by taking the appropriate steps, you can ensure that your own mail is delivered correctly and protect your privacy. Contacting the Postal Service, returning mail to the sender, and updating records with the sender are all effective ways to stop mail intended for the previous tenant.
References
– USPS: www.usps.com
– Moving.com: www.moving.com
– Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: www.consumerfinance.gov
