Parivash Laaly

In ambling around the city’s multifamily residential areas we sometimes see the telltale signs of dilapidation. When we peek inside the vestibule we are likely to see mailboxes that are broken and doors that are agape without a functioning lock to secure them. The Postal Service requires locked mailboxes to protect mail recipients from mail theft and identity theft. And that is the responsibility of the landlord. But some landlords overlook the obligation and even refuse to repair mailboxes at a tenant’s request. One tenant’s complaint sent us down the rabbit hole to learn exactly what are the USPS standards for mailboxes — and what we should expect from the landlord that provides it.