![]() Though you're not going to spend a fortune to replace your lock and key, you want to make sure they last. Your mailbox setup doesn't matter as long as you don't make mail delivery or pick-up impossible when installing the new latch and lock. This arrangement is common in residential wall-mounted mailboxes. Other boxes have a door on top that's used for both deliveries and mail pick-up. These areas may sit on top of another, or the deposit slot may sit in front, and you retrieve mail from a door in the back of the box. Some mailboxes have one slot solely for deliveries, with another area dedicated to mail retrieval. You also need to ensure you have access to your mail while keeping it secure. Make sure the placement of any lock doesn't prevent the mail carrier from delivering your mail. Once again, the structure of your mailbox helps answer this question. The replacement type we're discussing here is similar to the type of latch used to secure a file cabinet. Some mailboxes can be secured with a padlock or combination lock. The structure of the mailbox might answer this one for you. Since you're concerned with the security and privacy of your mail and want to do a great job, you should consider these key factors before you replace your lock. Though replacement can be a DIY job, it can be tricky and isn't for just anyone. Most people don't replace mailbox locks regularly. Key Questions to Ask Before You Get Started However, we will not provide instructions on how to drill out a residential mailbox lock, as that is not our area of expertise. If you own the mailbox, DIY is usually okay and so drilling out the mailbox lock, in that scenario, may be the appropriate solution. While we can't simply say yes or no, by determining who owns your mailbox, you should be able to decide whether DIY replacement is an option or you have to reach out for help getting a new key. If you own your mailbox, you're responsible for any repairs and can replace the lock if you please. Your personal curbside mailbox or wall mailbox If you live in an apartment or condominium with a cluster box setup, the landlord, management company, or housing association is responsible for mailbox maintenance. Cluster Mailboxes for Apartments or Communities ![]() They are responsible for arrow lock and master door maintenance and will advise you. If the USPS owns the mailbox or parcel locker, reach out to your local post office from Mon. We break ownership into three categories: USPS owned, Cluster Mailboxes for apartments and communities, or your personal property. The USPS does not directly answer the question, but they do discuss responsibility for mailbox maintenance.īefore you start your lock replacement project, your first step is to figure out who owns the mailbox. We went straight to the top authority for our search on the matter, the United States Postal Service. Since non-lawyers shouldn't dispense legal advice, here's how we can answer the question of legality. Even an internet search didn't reveal a clear answer. Some lawyers must be experts on post offices and mailbox locks, but they haven't published much case law on the subject. Check out our tips, warnings, and how-to guide below before you panic. Here's a list of items you need and mailbox features to consider. You're also not the first person to search through a junk drawer full of keys for a copy of the key with no luck. You're not the first person to have to deal with a broken lock or missing mailbox key. If you don't have any other key options, brute force is still not the solution. What should you do? Pick the lock? Grab your cordless drill?įirst, does someone have a copy of your key? Landlords have all kinds of keys. However, if your mailbox lock breaks or if you lose your key, you're unable to access your mail, that can cause a considerable amount of stress. Whether you're a tenant in an apartment complex with a shared bank of cluster mailboxes for one address or a homeowner with a street box, you're no stranger to unlocking your box to pick up your mail.Ī locked mailbox offers an extra layer of privacy and security protection for personal information. ![]() Since the USPS services USPS Cluster Mailboxes, you will need your local postmaster or postal carrier to open the master door before you can replace an individual tenant lock by following these instructions. IMPORTANT - Regarding USPS Cluster Mailboxes: NEVER attempt to Drill Out a Mailbox Lock
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