Can my landlord refuse access to the mailbox?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can my landlord refuse access to the mailbox?
I rent a room in a townhouse from the landlord and his family. There is a locked mailbox instead of a traditional open one. My landlord delivers my mail to my door – however, I do not trust that he is delivering my mail in a timely manner. Is it lawful for him to refuse me access to the mailbox (a key)?
Asked on February 11, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Washington
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Whether or not your landlord can refuse you access to the mailbox for the rental that you have depends upon what is stated in the presumed written lease that you have for the rental. If the lease does not state that you have a mailbox with the rental, then you do not have rights to access to the mail box in place.
I suggest that the way to resolve the situation is for you to buy your own mailbox and place it in a location so you can get your own mail without having to rely on the landlord's delivery. Problem solved.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.