Mailbox Issue
I have a three family brownstone, I live in the bottom apartment and rent out the top two. The mail for all three units is dropped in my downstairs gate by the mailman and I put the mail for the two tenants out in the secure hallway in unlocked boxes. My new tenant has an…
I have a three family brownstone, I live in the bottom apartment and rent out the top two. The mail for all three units is dropped in my downstairs gate by the mailman and I put the mail for the two tenants out in the secure hallway in unlocked boxes. My new tenant has an issue with not having his own locked mailbox and with me touching his mail. Am I legally obligated to install and give him his own locked mailbox? I think there are maybe two 3-family buildings on my block with those ugly silver units with separate locks, everyone else does it the way we do. Anyone?
“If so, I’d put in the mailbox, not because I thought USPS would enforce the rule but because @$$hole tenants tend to know how to leverage legal technicalities in their favor when it comes time to pay rent…”
That actually makes a lot of sense to me. More reason to get Mr. Fruit Fly out ASAP.
“And, the USPS DOES NOT deliver to two different locations in brownstones.”
$20 at Christmas time does the trick.
“buildings containing three or more apartments” means 3 or more units to the building.
And, the USPS DOES NOT deliver to two different locations in brownstones.
hc
don’t see what’s vague about it – 3 apartments are 3 apartments – makes no difference to a tenant whether the other 2 parties in a building own or rent…i guess its possible i’m just used to MDL where it doesn’t matter who lives there – 3+ units = multiple dwelling
however, the link is 3rd party – if it were me i’d probably research USPS regs to make sure the above posted link was accurate.
If so, I’d put in the mailbox, not because I thought USPS would enforce the rule but because @$$hole tenants tend to know how to leverage legal technicalities in their favor when it comes time to pay rent…
My sanit workers wouldn’t take a tip.
daveinbedstuy and young archi – I maintain that the rule is for rental apartments only. The OP has two. In many cases, the LL gets their mail at a different entrance entirely (upstoop/downstoop etc.) The regulations on the link are vague in this respect. No way the post office enforces this in this case.
henrycurtis, the specifics were posted above…
“United States Postal regulations require landlords of buildings containing three or more apartments to provide secure mail boxes for each apartment unless the management has arranged to distribute the mail to each apartment. Landlords must keep the mail boxes and locks in good repair.”
That’s from the NYC Rent Stab. page.
http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/attygenguide.html#20
I agree fully with daveinbedstuy. $10 or $20 at Christmas time leads to excellent service throughout the year. Same is true for sanitation, by the way.
Just because he’s a jerk doesn’t mean you don’t have to provide a mailbox.”
‘Oh, but it does mean exactly that.’
No. USPS and MDL require a mailbox. Put in the mailbox
‘young archi – The OP lives in a three family (two rental apartments) house. The requirement only applies to three or more rental apartment buildings. There is no obligation, legal or otherwise, in the case. Sorry.’
“United States Postal regulations require landlords of buildings containing three or more apartments to provide secure mail boxes for each apartment unless the management has arranged to distribute the mail to each apartment. Landlords must keep the mail boxes and locks in good repair.”
Where are you coming up with the fact that the OPs unit does not qualify as an apartment? I don’t deal with USPS, but MDL definition of a multiple dwelling (and every other legal definition I’ve encountered) is 3 or more apartments – whether the owner lives there or China makes no difference in this definition.