Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Opening up Someone else's mail marked also for ''Current Resident''

Is it legal to open mail (from postal service) sent to ''someone Or Current Resident'' if you are not that someone. It is a mail sent from Post Office to confirm change of address. Is this legal if it is the owner of the house who is also looking for address that tenant moved to for court purposes. Tenant left the house in bad condition and cannot be found. However they changed their address through Post Office and the confirmation mail is sent to owner's resident and marked as ''someone family or Current Resident''. Thank you for your time.


Asked on 5/06/07, 2:23 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert L. Bennett Law offices of Robert L. Bennett

Re: Opening up Someone else's mail marked also for ''Current Resident''

Interesting question! Technically, you cannot open mail addressed to another, but since it is also addressed to current resident, probably okay. While, it wouldn't be ethical for an attorney to advise someone to break the law, I am assuming you have already opened the mail. You would need the addressee to complain. I am sure that if you hired a private investigator, they would open the mail addressed to current resident. Thus, while I couldn't advise this in advance, I doubt that you will receive. a complaint since it is already done. I could argue either sides to this, which is what lawyer's do for clients in most cases. You are more than welcome for the time expended.

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Answered on 5/07/07, 10:13 am


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