

If a landlord does not have a key for the lockable mailbox, they may require a tenant to contact the USPS and retrieve it. However, it is illegal for a landlord to look through your mailbox or open your mail. Keep in mind that the landlord is allowed to have a copy of the key, given that it is their property. If the lease agreement explicitly states that the tenant will be provided with a lockable mailbox, the landlord must also provide the tenant with the appropriate key. Some states, like California, require landlords to provide tenants with a lockable mailbox. If your tenant has a disability, make sure to make reasonable modifications to the mailbox if they are unable to retrieve their mail with ease. The Fair Housing Act requires certain public features to be made accessible to individuals with disabilities. If a tenant has reason to believe their landlord is tampering with their mail, they have every right to report the individual to local authorities. Code, it is illegal for anyone to tamper with someone else’s mail. TamperingĪccording to Section 1702 of the U.S. A landlord may not interfere with the delivery of a tenant’s mail, nor are they allowed to look through a tenant’s mailbox. Tenants have the right to receiving mail securely. However, you should ensure that it is easily accessible and visible to the mail carrier from your porch, driveway, etc. There are no specifications for wall-mounted mailboxes. Vertical slots must be hinged on the opposite side from the door’s hinges.Horizontal slots must have a flap hinged at the top.The bottom of the slot must be at least 30 inches above the floor.The opening must be at least 1 1⁄ 2 inches x 7 inches.The standards for an approved door slot according to the USPS are: Some homes and apartments have a slot in the door for receiving mail rather than a mailbox. Mailbox posts should be buried no more than 24 inches deep.Mailboxes must be placed 6 to 8 inches away from the curb the slot or door must be 41 to 45 inches from the ground.The box number or address must be shown on the mailbox in numbers/letters that are at least 1 inch tall, either on the front or flag-side of the mailbox.Mailboxes must be placed on the right-hand side of the street, facing outward.Keep these important specifications in mind: Length: approximately 18 9⁄ 16 to 22 13⁄ 16 inches.As of 2001, the minimum and maximum dimensions are: Curbside MailboxesĪll manufactured mailboxes should meet the USPS requirements for dimensions. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has outlined certain regulations for mailboxes. Mailboxes may not seem like a topic of concern, but it turns out landlords have a few requirements they need to keep in mind.
