Stop unwanted mail to former residents
I've owned my home for over five years and I still get mail addressed to several previous occupants as this house was once a rental. It's rather annoying inscribing, "return to sender," on every piece of mail and if the sender didn't pay for first class postage, they will never know about the bad address. There are ways, however, to stop the mail from even crossing your threshold. We've covered how to stop excessive junk mail addressed to you, but there are special steps that need to be taken to end service for previous occupants.
- To put an end to bulk mail arriving at your address, send a postcard to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 15012-0643 and write "please activate the mail preference service" above the name and address.
- For first class mail, a change of address form needs to be filled out. These are only good for a few months so it's very likely that the one that the previous occupant filled out has expired. A fresh change of address card needs to be filled out for each person and under the "new address" portion, write "Moved, left no forwarding address." Finally, sign your name at the bottom and write, "Form filled in by current resident of the house, [Your Name], agent for the above." You can also do this online for a dollar fee.
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EcoScopes, Week of May 12th 2008
