CA HOA cluster mailboxes - who is responsible

Does anybody know who is respnsible for maintenance and or repair/replacement of mailboxes (the 10 box cluster type) for CA HOA's? Our mailboxes are one unit - 10 across - on a visiblly sloped setup. Mine is on the far left - and the key (potmetal) breaks repeatedly since 2005. I was told it is my reponsibility to have the lock changed (at $200.00 a pop) because the key broke off inside. The locksmith said the keys will keep breaking until the mailboxes are fixed. I presented this to the board several times over the years, and was always told it is my expense. The mailboxes are in the common area not on individual doors. The mailman has also had trouble getting into the top part with his key to open the boxes - something the HOA paid for when it happens. The mailboxes are at the end of their lifecycle, and when it was brought up last time, voted against replacing (I was the only one having problems). Now, several others have had problems with the doors sticking and keys bending, and it has been revisted for replacement. So far, it has been pushed out "until further funds can be raised" as they just got done with painting the 10 units in the budget. I had the lock removed completely so I could get my mail, as suggesting the replacement the board did no good, and I did not want to pay yearly fees at the post office which has limited hours and I would have to take off work to get my mail. I asked the board if I could put up a single box by my front door that the mailman could use and was told no, it would be unsightly and not "the same" for all. There is a single box up on another owners door for the hoa dues to be paid. For now, I get my mail in the box with no lock on it, but am concerned that the board will keep pushing this out for years - has been months without lock already. Any suggestions? I do not think I should have to pay $200.00 for lock replacement each time the cheap keys break inside because the line of boxes leans on the door and is hard to open and they don't want to do anything about it. I also do not think I should be responsible for it in the common area - boxes that all units share equally, not on a private door or single box. If I am wrong, please let me know.

the United States Postal Servive will replace your individual box lock for $28-30 total.

the cbu repair will be done by them and billed to the hoa

cbu?? sorry I am not following the shorthand.
The USPS said they are not responsible for the box locks at all - because the HOA purchased them from an outside vendor - 10 years or so ago.

I will check at Home Depot and see if I can get a lock. Part fo the problem, is the key is made of very cheap thin potmetal type that does not take the stress of the mailbox not being aligned correctly and bends and breaks - when it breaks off in the lock, I cannot get it out. I have been replacing keys since 2005 in this fashion, but the last time I could not get it out of the lock at all. The repair person had to drill the lock out - could not get it out the usual way by removing the c-clamp and the mailman could not get it out either.
My HOA will pay for the repair at the top because when the mailman cannot get into the boxes they go without their mail, but when it is just me, they say it is my problem.

CBU = cluster box unit (the 'cluster' of mail boxes you see)

OPL = outside parcel locker (the locker used for package delivery ~ when they leave the key in your box)

http://www.mailboxes.com/departments/residential-mailboxes/post-mounted/cluster-box-units/

I play golf with several high level, retired USPS people. I will ask them about this and report back.

Sounds like the door is being pinched by the weight of the boxes or the boxes have shifted to make the door difficult to swing open and closed.
Sounds like an issue for the HOA as it is their box not yours.

Thanks for all the great helpful info!!!
this was the issue I started with. HOA says it is my problem and not theirs. They only fix the locks if the mailman cannot get into the top part - which has happened.
The box is in common area - all 10 are linked and not on my door - I said it is their responsibility and the life time is up so why not replace it or fix it... standoff at this point

Stacy:

Are these boxes indoors or outdoors? Steel, aluminium ????

And what does it mean when you say "the life time is up"?

And how many boxes are there on your property? How many units total?

I don't understand, a good quality box if maintained should last for quite some time. How old are these boxes???

the mailboxes are one the agenda to be replaced - as another homeowner is now having problems with their mail (go figure). They have been at it for 2-3 months trying to decide what type to get, what way it will face etc - if this is typical of other agenda items, it can go on for months and months before they ever decide.

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