Ex keeps using my address for debts, bailiffs turning up - what can I actually do?
I (F40, England) had a short relationship (under a year) with someone who never lived permanently at my address. At the time, I stupidly let him use my address for his driving licence/V5 while he was between places, and it seems to have become his "last known" address. We split around a year ago and I have no contact with him or any idea where he is. He has changed his phone number and is not responding on socials. I know one close friend of his, but he does not want to get involved in any way.
Since then, he seemingly been using my address for everything. I receive around 10 letters a week in his name. I return them all marked "not known at this address" but it doesn't seem to make any difference.
It's escalated beyond letters, and bailiffs have attended twice recently (two separate teams / debts). The first time (long story short, I was in a very bad place due to a recent tragic event in a family), I paid ~£600 they claimed he owed them just to make them go away. Also, I just didn't know what to do, it was a complete surprise - I let them in, offered coffee etc., just then realised it was a mistake and they apparently had a warrant to confiscate goods at my address and were not willing to go away. The second time, I didn't open the door and they claimed he listed me as his wife on a loan application (we never lived together, let alone married) and threatened attachment of earnings for "marital debt" and said they found me on LinkedIn and were able to name my job and employer correctly. They also spoke to all neighbours stating I owe money to them, as they were trying to identify "my" car to clamp (I don't drive and don't have a car).
DVLA apparently won't change the address without him requesting it. I'm now getting post from child maintenance too (I'm not opening it, just know it from the return address on the envelope). Also receiving letters from councils (likely fines), debt collectors, etc. Recently started getting mail for some company at my address (e.g. "ExFromHell Ltd"), but I can't find any such company on Companies House.
For context, I own my home, have no debt, good career and income / have reasonable assets and my credit is clean. So far:
- I return all post "not known".
- One debt collection agency wrote back to "resident" and asked for proof he doesn't live here and I sent council tax and utility bills in my sole name going back 10 years (waiting to hear back). Everyone else just keeps sending letters regardless.
What are the sensible next steps here from the legal perspective? It is all quite stressful, and I have two young children at home who obviously are impacted by bailiffs visits - they are not exactly nice and polite people.