A postal mix-up led to confusion between 10 Danbury Street and 10 Downing Street, despite the letter saying ‘Theresa May, PM’

A letter meant for the prime minister, Theresa May, has ended up being delivered three miles (5km) away at an altogether different No 10 – the rented flat of a technology consultant in north London.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The front doors of 10 Danbury Street in Islington and the rather more famous 10 Downing Street in Westminster. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

Sam Bass, 24, was sifting through letters in the communal hallway of his home at 10 Danbury Street in Islington when he found the letter addressed to 10 Downing Street.

On the envelope, delivered by Royal Mail and sent from an address in the West Midlands, the words “Ms Theresa May, PM” can be seen clearly.

Bass said: “I’m in rented accommodation, so we often get letters addressed to previous tenants. I decided to go through the post that had not been taken and was quite surprised to see one for Theresa May.

“I showed my housemates, but it would not have been for them. I live with a Marco and an Emily, neither of which look like Theresa.

“I can perhaps understand why the postal worker got the address mixed up, because the handwriting is quite poor and they look similar, but the recipient’s name is unmistakable. As far as I’m aware, the prime minister has never lived here.”

Bass, from Taunton, Somerset, reposted the letter on Sunday night. “I’m sure there’s probably nothing confidential inside, but it’s just as well it didn’t get delivered to somebody less honest.”

Sally Hopkins, a Royal Mail spokeswoman, said: “We would like to apologise for this delivery error. Every item of mail is important to us and staff are being reminded to check mail thoroughly before delivery.”