can mailboxes get more difficult???

Started by JackieB • 15 replies • 2147 views

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JackieB (California)
Posts: 198

Posted:

We are near completing a community survey about replacing mailboxes,
Locked vs. unlocked. Someone has sent in a copy of the ARC development
standards, hi-liting "Mailbox enclosures shall remain as originally provided by the developer(1987) and shall be subject to control by the
committee." "Unless you plan to change the CCR's there can only be one type." I searched our CCR's and found nothing addressing mailboxes. I also think of "enclosure" as the support that holds the mailbox, not the
actual mailbox. Help me here.
Jackie

RickR3 (California)
Posts: 42

Posted:

Jackie,

Mailboxs are controlled by the US Post Office as to size, shape, color and other standards. IMO because the US Post Office is part of the federal government their rules preceed and CC&R's

Just my 2 cents.

Rick

MikeS1
Posts: 668

Posted:

Not enough info.. here. Condo's, Townhouses, single family? Individual boxes or cluster boxes? In VA, the Post Office is responsible for maintaining and replacing our boxes.

JackieB (California)
Posts: 198

Posted:

140 single family homes. In CA, we HO's are responsible for our own mailboxes......so in an HOA that is part of the common property.

DJ1 (Ontario)
Posts: 798

Posted:

"enclosure" is something which 'contains', = the mailbox, not the thing that supports the mailbox imo.

JackieB (California)
Posts: 198

Posted:

I am really curious if this definition of enclosure is
how most "read it." I see it differently....but might not
be accurate. More opinions, please.

CharlesW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 826

Posted:

JackieB

I can’t necessarily make specific reference on behalf of your governing documents although I interpret that to mean. A mailbox needs to be the same as the original (builder provided) color, size and shape are to be considered when replacing the mailbox. With that statement, I interpret that to means keeping the mailboxes the same or as similar to the original as allowed.

It would be a board decision concerning the post on which the mailbox sits, but be cautious as to it’s (the post) design as well. Keep it simply, but functional. I agree with the above post.

I have located an identical mailbox, (Loews / Home depot) for our community, which was detailing in our newsletter, cost, where to purchase, even detailed instruction how to “swap” it out. Certainly not the most attractive, that’s for sure however, the mailboxes were still functional and that is their main purpose.

I would play it safe and only replace with a similar if not an exact match.

Best of luck
Chuck W.

Charles E. Wafer Jr.

JackieB (California)
Posts: 198

Posted:

Thanks for sharing your experience. The only snafu with
"sameness" is that many of us want a locked box due to Identity
theft or the potential. The boxes are 20 years old, simple and pretty
standard. The $100. Home Depot locked-one is completely different...no similiarity but too expensive for every HO. So far our BOD can't find anything in the CCR's that mentions mailboxes. And the previous quote is
ARC only, but not dated and possibly never approved by the board. Can any
HO be denied a locked box in this day and age? I can see having similiar
enclosures (cover) for continuity......but ????? I just can't buy enclosure to mean the actual box.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Jackie,
I think that you should contact your local postal office to see if they will allow the locked boxes. They will be your best bet on whether you can lock or not.
I believe that your ACR has control of the style and type of box that you are allowed to have.. You state that the Board never dated nor possibly approved the ARC guideline on the boxes. In that case, the BOD has the ability to change those guidelines very easily as they are the "keepers of the guidelines" Look to them for a varience on the style and type of box allowed.

JackieB (California)
Posts: 198

Posted:

Thanks Donna,
We did the PO homework a while back (months) and locked is
just fine. They actually prefer it because of less C/O
theft, etc. Their only requirement was the height of mailbox stay the same, and that the box be USPS approved......which is the case with the H. Depot locked box we like. The glitch is that you can't mail from them; the po doesn't get a key, only each HO. They drop in
the top and we unlock on the bottom to get our mail. I feel the board(me, etc) will change the "guidelines". again, thanks.
When you read "enclosure" how do you envision it?

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Enclosure? Means a box or container to me. Here is where the P.O guideline would prevail.

PaulM (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 1,347

Posted:

JackieB: I don't quite understand the type mailbox the PO is suggesting, in that, the postal carrier 'drops' in the top and you unlock on the bottom to get your mail. Your concern is that you can't mail from this type box (?).

Are you familiar with cluster boxes which are clustered one on top of the other and stacked in sections to accommodate any number of residents.
They are opened with a key by the mail carrier; once he is finished with mail delivery, he locks them. The unit owner has a key to his own box to retrieve his mail. There is also an 'outgoing mail' slot as part of each section, as well as large bins at the bottom for any packages which the carrier must leave. This has worked beautifully and has posed no problems whatsoever.

If it is the homeowners who are responsible for the cost of their own mailboxes, why not investigate cluster boxes, take a vote to change the docs to locked boxes and divide the cost evenly among residents. The PO will be glad to assist in the best mail slot alternative for your community.

You are also free to drive around your area to take notice of other communities' mail delivery system/s.

JackieB (California)
Posts: 198

Posted:

Paul,
thanks for the feedback. We looked into those clusters about
a year ago and felt they were too expensive, and no one wants
to walk a few extra feet. Hoa's are often "all about me."
Jackie

JackieB (California)
Posts: 198

Posted:

Our 140 mailboxes got installed last week.
thanks anyway.

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