You can be sent post that is not meant for you for years after moving, which might make you want to open it to send it to its rightful owner. If you do end up receiving post from the previous owner of your house, here is what you should do with it instead. What should I do if I get post for the old owner of my house? "Even your postie could face criminal sanctions if they intentionally delay or open a postal packet in the course of its transmission by post." If you open their post, you could either be fined or given a prison sentence between six months or two years.