Does "Address Service Requested" Really Work? - BiggerPockets

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Updated over 6 years ago on 05/01/2019. Most recent reply

Lucas Hall Close Thin

• Rental Property Investor
• from Arvada, CO
• Member since Jun 21, 2011

• Posts 146
• Votes 102
• Experience 20 Yrs

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146 Posts 102 Votes Lucas Hall Close Thin

• Rental Property Investor
• from Arvada, CO
• Member since Jun 21, 2011

• Posts 146
• Votes 102
• Experience 20 Yrs

Lucas HallPenPoster

• Rental Property Investor
• Arvada, CO

102 Votes | 146 Posts General Landlording & Rental Properties Does "Address Service Requested" really work? Lucas HallPenPoster

• Rental Property Investor
• Arvada, CO

Posted April 27, 2015 06:35

Hey friends,

Has anyone every used the "ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED" feature with the Post Office to track down former tenants?

Does it really work?

Do you really get a piece of paper returned to you with the recipient's forwarded address?

If it works, it would be super helpful in finding tenants who have abandoned the lease.

According to https://store.usps.com/pse/common/includes/tooltips/tool-tip-pse-ancillary.jsp :

"Address Service Requested - In the first year after the recipient moves, the mail is forwarded. You’ll be given their new address and charged an address correction fee. In months 13-18, the mailpiece is returned to you with the recipient’s new address, at no charge. After 18 months, the mail is returned with the reason it couldn’t be delivered, for no charge."

I've spoken with the postal workers at two post offices, and neither knew what this service was - and both said "we don't do that". So confused...

Thanks!

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Marcia Maynard Close Thin

• Investor
• from Vancouver, WA
• Member since Nov 20, 2013

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3,601 Posts 4,339 Votes Marcia Maynard Close Thin

• Investor
• from Vancouver, WA
• Member since Nov 20, 2013

• Posts 3,601
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Marcia Maynard

• Investor
• Vancouver, WA

4,339 Votes | 3,601 Posts Marcia Maynard

• Investor
• Vancouver, WA

Replied April 27, 2015 15:35

Address Service Requested works if the tenant notifies the U.S.P.S. of their forwarding address. If a tenant forwards to a P.O. Box, you may get a new mailing address for them and still be unable to find them for the purpose of serving legal documents. It could be that some local post offices are more efficient than others, so experiences may vary.

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