What to Do with Mail for a Previous Resident? [2025]

Ever wonder what to do with mail for a previous resident? When you move into a new apartment, you’re ready to make a fresh start, but when your mailbox is stuffed with someone else's letters, it’s hard to know what to do next.

From credit card offers to utility bills and personal notes, getting mail for former resident is very common. But did you know there are some legal implications of what to do with that mail and specific ways to stop it from piling up? Here’s what to do when you’re getting mail from a previous resident and how to handle it the right way.

Why Am I Getting Someone Else’s Mail?

When a previous resident packs up and moves out, their address doesn’t automatically get forwarded to their new place of residence. If the previous renter didn’t submit a change-of-address form with USPS or update their address with every company or service they use, their mail will continue getting delivered to your apartment.

It doesn’t matter if you’re getting someone else's junk mail or sensitive documents like medical bills and bank statements. No matter what kind of mail you’re getting, it’s not your job to manage it. Unfortunately, it is your responsibility to take the proper steps to get their mail forwarded to its rightful owner. The good news is it’s not difficult and shouldn’t take up much time.

What If the Previous Resident Still Uses Your Address?

When you’re trying to figure out what to do with mail from previous resident, it’s possible it’s deliberate. They may be trying to avoid paying bills or legal notices or just don't want to deal with their junk mail. If you suspect this is happening:

• Contact your landlord or property manager and confirm when the resident officially moved out.
• Keep documentation of mail you’ve received and your efforts to return it.
• If the issue involves financial fraud or identity misuse, you may need to file a report with USPS.
• If your neighbors are still friends with the old resident, ask them to get in touch and deal with their mail.

Can I Submit a Change of Address for a Former Resident?

No. Although it seems like a quick fix and the responsible thing to do, submitting a change of address form on someone else's behalf, including a former renter, isn’t recommended and could also be illegal.

Only the individual who lived at the address, or someone legally authorized to act on their behalf (such as a guardian, executor, or designated agent), is allowed to file this kind of request. If you don’t have proper authorization, you could run into serious issues or violate federal mail regulations.

Mark It “Return to Sender"

Instead of filling out a change of address form, the simplest and most effective way to redirect mail is to write, “Return to Sender—Not at This Address,” on the envelope and drop it back in a USPS mailbox. This simple move alerts the postal service that the recipient no longer lives at your address. It should help stop future mail from being delivered to your apartment.

Make sure not to obscure the original address or barcode so the postal carrier can process everything correctly. Grab a pen and write the message on the front of the envelope.

Leave a Note

What if you keep getting mail from a previous resident, even after returning several pieces of mail? Try leaving a note inside of your mailbox for your mail carrier that says:

“[Name] no longer lives at this address. Please stop delivering their mail.”

A short, direct note can go a long way to stopping the wrong mail from showing up in your mailbox. Mail carriers often rely on visual cues and repetition to deal with address changes and may need to see it more than once.

Talk to Your Mail Carrier

If possible, you can also speak to your mail carrier directly if you catch them on their route. Keep it polite and explain the issue. They’ll usually make a note and flag the address for correction.

Visit Your Post Office

If you’re dealing with a persistent problem, walk into your local post office and ask to speak to a representative. If you’re going to the post office in person, bring a few pieces of the misdirected mail as examples and ask if they can place a stop on deliveries for that name at your address.

Unfortunately, USPS won’t let you file a formal change of address form for someone else. But they can flag your apartment unit to minimize further mistakes.

Consider Contacting the Sender

If you keep getting mail for someone else from the same companies, including:

• Bank
• Credit card company
• Hospital
• Utility bills

Contact them directly and let them know the person moved; you have no forwarding address. Ask them to update their records and not to send any further mail to your apartment. It’s possible they’ll ask for proof of residence, but most will simply stop sending the mail after you notify them of the change.

Can You Just Throw the Mail Away?

Technically, it’s considered illegal to throw away mail that isn’t yours. It could be considered tampering under federal law, especially if it’s First Class or sensitive in nature. Most people will eventually toss repeated junk mail, but it’s best practice to try to resolve it through the proper channels, like marking it “Return to Sender.”

If you’re uncomfortable throwing anything out, put it back into the outgoing mail and let the mail carrier deal with it.

What Not to Do with an Old Resident's Mail

It’s easy to make the wrong call with mail that isn’t yours.

• Don’t open it: Even if the mail looks like junk, opening someone else’s mail is a federal offense under U.S. law. You also can’t shred or discard it without following proper protocol.
• Don’t throw it away blindly: Some mail may include bills, legal notices, or time-sensitive information. Tossing it out without trying to reroute it could lead to issues for both you and the sender.
• Don’t write messages on the envelope. Avoid writing anything rude or aggressive like “Stop sending this junk” or “They do not live here anymore!!” in all caps. It’s unprofessional and may have the opposite effect.

The good news is there are several simple and legal ways to deal with it properly we've covered above.

Handling Someone Else’s Mail the Right Way

Now that you know what to do with mail for a previous resident, you can get rid of the headache. Fortunately, it’s a straightforward process and is usually a quick fix. It’s also a good reminder to take care of your own mail when you move out so you break the cycle. Before you know it, your mailbox will be clear of old mail—and ready for yours.