It can be tempting, but there are serious consequences
Letters and parcels can often end up at the wrong address, with neighbours taking in each other’s mail. While it can be tempting to take a peek, doing so could land you in some serious trouble.
Households across the UK receive delivery services almost every day. Some items could be delivered to the wrong address entirely or to someone who no longer lives at the property.
It may even be the case that mail arrives for ex-partners or family members who have moved away. But make sure you are clued up on the law before thinking about opening mail that’s not for you.
Is it illegal to open someone else’s mail?
The Postal Service Act 2000 states that it is illegal to open mail that isn’t addressed to you.
It states: “A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he— (a)intentionally delays or opens a postal packet in the course of its transmission by post, or (b)intentionally opens a mail-bag.”
It continues: “A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.”
Can I open my partner’s mail?
The Postal Service Act makes it clear that a person is committing an offence if they deliberately open post they know or suspect has been incorrectly delivered to them. You need consent to open your spouse’s mail.
If your husband or wife no longer lives with you, you could be committing an offence.
What happens if you open someone else’s mail?
There are strict punishments for opening mail that isn’t yours. It could be a fine or even a prison sentence.
The act states: “A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.”
What to do if you receive someone else’s mail?
Royal Mail explained that if you receive mail with your address but the wrong name, it is because they deliver by address rather than name.
Simply cross out the address on the letter and write ‘Not known at this address’ or ‘No longer lives here’ and put it back in a postbox.
Royal Mail said: “We’ll try to return it to the sender so they can update their records.” If you receive mail that doesn’t have your name or address, Royal Mail says it’s “sorry for the mistake and inconvenience”.
It added: “Please drop the mail in a postbox when you can. There’s no need to add postage. We’ll handle it from there and deliver it to the correct address.”
