Landlord gets 'F' in mailbox security

Q: I live in a 500-unit apartment community comprised of nearly 20 buildings. My problem is that the mailboxes to the individual units are not secure. The mailboxes are centrally located in each building, with four rows of six mailboxes in a single "bank" per building.

Shortly after moving in I inadvertently started to open the wrong mailbox and discovered that my mailbox key worked on someone else's mailbox. A little more research led me to realize that my mailbox key works on each and every one of these 24 mailboxes! After talking to my neighbor across the way, I have learned that any mailbox key will work on all of the mailboxes. I found that my key even works on the mailboxes at other buildings!

In addition, the boxes will not stay closed if more than the usual amount of mail is placed in them. Often when a magazine or other large item is placed in them, they literally pop open, causing mail to fall on the ground and blow around the courtyard.

I think this is a very serious matter and so I immediately sent a note to the on-site manager. The first time I wrote, I received a response saying that the locks would be replaced immediately. When several weeks had passed and nothing was done, I wrote another letter but this time to the corporate office of the property management company.

That was more than three weeks ago, and nothing has been done about the problem and I haven't even received a response. The on-site manager says it is out of his hands.

Next, I contacted my local letter carrier and was told that she has been delivering mail to this complex for two years and has made many complaints to the property management about the condition of the mailboxes. She told them that the locks are rusted out and need to be replaced.

What recourse do I have as a tenant? My main concern, of course, is identity theft. Does management have a responsibility to provide tenants with secure mailboxes?

A: The secure delivery of mail is a fundamental right of tenants. The landlord must comply with all U.S. Postal Service regulations, and it is appalling that apparently every mailbox key can open all of the mailboxes in your rental community. I suggest you immediately go to your nearest post office and make a formal complaint with the local postmaster. ...CONTINUED

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