Have you lost mailbox key and now you aren’t sure what to do? We would assume the answer to that question is yes. Why? Because you wouldn’t have landed on this page if you weren’t in this kind of emergency situation. Losing the key to your mailbox can be one of the worst things that can happen, especially if it happens on a day when you’re expecting really important mail. However, there’s no need to despair because these days it’s fairly easy to solve lost key for mailbox problem by getting a replacement key or simply changing the lock.
Here are a few different approaches that you can use to retrieve your lost mailbox key, based on your situation and where you live:
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Mailbox Keys for Tenants
If you’re a tenant that’s renting a flat or a home that has an integrated mailbox system, then your first step should be to report the matter of your lost mailbox key to your landlord or superintendent. Different properties differ in their policies when it comes to what approach you should take in reporting a lost mailbox key, but the safest one would be to make the report in writing and then follow it up with an in-person visit.
The best way to get a timely response once you’ve made your request for a replacement is to make the request as soon as you discover the lost key to the mailbox because it might take a couple of days before your request is processed and you have a new key. Keep in mind that the sooner you report the lost key for the mailbox, the sooner you’ll be able to access your mail. Also, you may have to pay a fee of $4.40 for a replacement key if the mailbox is owned by the U.S. Postal Service.
Lost your community mailbox keys?
If by any chance you have a spare community mailbox key at home, you could easily get it duplicated at a Walmart key maker or by calling a professional 24-hour locksmith. If you’ve lost both of your community mailbox keys, then your only option is to complete the new keys replacement form which is usually located on the website of the post office, that owns the community mailbox in your area. To get your mailbox key replaced, you will have to pay a fee which cost $20+ depending on the post office including state taxes.
The steps of getting a new mailbox community key go as follows:
- Usually, the mailbox company would send a notice card on when the key is made and ready to be used. To receive the key, you will have to bring your government-issued ID with your name and address on it which is also written on the notice card to the post office that owns the community mailboxes.
- Compartment number and location of the community mailbox can be confirmed with the notice card.
- Replacement for your stolen or lost community mailbox keys costs $20+ including state tax. Price depends on the post office that owns the community mailbox.
- Gotten your new community mailbox keys and they don’t work? Contact the post office and request your new keys to be made. Faulty community mailbox key replacements are usually and should be made free of charge.
Lost Key for your Post Office Mailbox?
The best part about opening a mailbox at your local post office is that they always give you two keys, so that you have a spare to turn to when you lose the first one. However, should you lose both keys, you’ll have to fill in what is known as ‘Form 1094’, which is basically a request for a new replacement key, and pay the key fee as well as the refundable key deposit. If you notice that your keys are getting really old and worn out, you should return them to the post office so that you can get new replacements for free.
Mailbox Key Replacement Cost
Cost of mailbox key replacement depends on the kind of mailbox that you own. If you’ve lost your PO mailbox key, you can directly visit the post office that has your mailbox and purchase mailbox replacement key for about $10. There is, however, one more problem that remains when you’ve gotten your replacement mailbox key which is your lost mailbox key floating around somewhere meaning, someone can easily find it and get access to your mailbox. This reason alone would make someone let the post office know, to replace lock on their mailbox which should cost around $30.
Home Depot Mailbox Lock Replacement Cost
Home Mailbox Key Replacement
You can get a quality mailbox key replacement made by a professional locksmith in a matter of minutes. Do remember that your lost key is still laying around somewhere to be found. It is why we recommend you to visit your nearest Walmart or Homedepot to get your mailbox replacement lock for around $6 per lock.
Private Family Residence Mailbox Keys
Find the contact details of the key manufacturer and give them a call to report that you’ve lost key to mailbox. They’ll ask for your mailbox item number, so be sure to write it down or memorize it so that you have it on hand when it is requested. Furthermore, the manufacturer will request your proof of purchase so that they can confirm that you really are the owner of the mailbox. You will be charged a fee of $7 or more. Processing your report of lost key for mailbox will probably take several days at the most, but in the end, your new replacement key will come in the mail and all your worries will be forgotten.
Post Box Ireland
Call a locksmith to replace lost mailbox keys
If you’re in too much of a hurry to wait for these other options, then the fastest way to get your mailbox key replacement done swiftly would be to call on the services of a locksmith. This option will cost twice if not three times as much as the other solutions, as a typical locksmith service call fee starts at $15 or more, subject to your neighborhood and property setup. However, it’s worth it if you’re really pressed for time. That said, calling out a 24-hour locksmith also requires payment for hardware expenses and labor costs required for mailbox key replacement. At this rate, you might find it cheaper to just purchase a new mailbox altogether. So do some research to find out which is the better option for you financially when you’ve lost the key to your mailbox.
Mailbox Key and Lock Replacement in a Condo or Apartment Complex
If you live in an apartment or condo complex that doesn’t have a maintenance contract or a resident maintenance person, then a whole new set of rules apply. You have to take full responsibility for replacing a damaged or lost key for the mailbox. You might even choose to replace the mailbox lock if a previous tenant did not return the mailbox key, which we’re going to teach you how to do it in a bit. Read on for step-by-step guide on how to replace your mailbox lock, DIY style.
Step-by-Step Mailbox Lock Replacement Guide
Mailbox key and lock replacement
Step One
If you had a key, you’d use it to open the mailbox so that you can get to the back of the lock. However, if you’re reading this article, then we’ll just assume that you’ve lost or damaged your key, in which case you’ll have to hold your fire until the mail delivery guy comes to unlock all of the mailboxes. This will be your chance to get access to the rear end of the lock, which is what you need in order to replace your mailbox lock.
Step Two
Once the rear of the lock has been opened, you’ll see that there’s a clip which is holding the lock together. Take it out using an adjustable wrench, and make sure to turn it until it’s standing straight while touching the rear of the mailbox door.
If you look closely, you’ll notice that the clip itself has an extended lip that should be pulled away with pliers until the clip has been completely detached from the lock. At this point, it’ll be easy for you to remove the lock by pulling or pushing it out through the front of the keyhole.
Step Three
Using a screwdriver, remove the locking cam which is situated on the rear of the lock. If you’re wondering what the cam looks like, look out for a dense ‘S’ shaped metal that acts as the lock’s bolting mechanism when you turn the key.
Step Four
Attach the cam onto the back of your new lock, making sure that the cam’s ‘S’ curve is facing the upper part of the lock to make it easier for the key to turn left or right.
Step Five
Now it’s time to attach your new lock to the mailbox keyhole. Start by looping the nut on top of the lock frame and then use your adjustable wrench to squeeze it firmly in place.
Step Six
Grease the entire locking apparatus with a spray and test the lock by turning the key inside it to make sure that it’s working properly.
In a way, a mailbox is an unsung hero in our day-to-day lives.
Think about it. It brings us joy on our birthday and anxiety when the bills come in. It helps keep our country running. For all the technology we have in our world, nothing beats getting a package or good news in the mail.
Even if you don’t think about the importance of mailboxes, the USPS sure does! In fact, they have several guidelines regarding the size, placement, and maintenance of mailboxes.
If you’re a residential or commercial property manager, your cluster mailbox has even more guidelines to follow. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about USPS cluster mailbox regulations.
Why Does USPS Care so Much About Mailboxes?
The history of mailboxes is both fascinating and informative. While there was postal service under the British Parliamentary Post, U.S. Mail first starting operating as an independent, separate from England in 1775.
As strange as it might sound, the first mailboxes weren’t used until the 1850’s. But they aren’t the mailboxes we know today.
The first mailboxes date back to 1833 and were only used for collecting mail. U.S. Mail letter carriers started dropping boxes off along their routes so people didn’t have to go to the post office to mail their letters. The convenience cost two cents per letter and only lasted a few years.
But those who lived in rural areas, miles away from post offices set up in town centers, weren’t too pleased the service stopped.
As the United States’ population continued to flourish, hand-delivery became cumbersome for carriers. Some businesses and residences set out tin cans for the carrier to pick up and deliver their mail into.
But nothing got regulated or was widespread until 1858. A Philadelphia merchant petitioned the city to allow his cast-iron letterboxes to hang from lampposts and the city agreed. Not too long after, Boston and New York followed suit.
It wasn’t until 1923 that it became mandatory for every household to have a mailbox or a door slot for the mail. The USPS added size restrictions and later, placement guidelines got added.
It may seem like nit-picking, but a mail carrier has a lot of mail to deliver to a lot of households and businesses. If there weren’t regulations stating the placement or height guidelines, it could take a carrier a long time to deliver his or her entire route.
So, part of the reason is the convenience, but speed and efficiency on the part of the USPS play a role too.
What is a Cluster Mailbox?
How To Get A Post Box Key
A cluster mailbox, or cluster box unit (CBU), is a multi-unit mailbox centralized for communal use. They consist of at least eight locked compartments that get mounted onto a pedestal. They are customizable to meet specific needs and to blend into surrounding building aesthetics.
Office buildings and multi-family residences use cluster mailboxes for convenience and security purposes. You’ve seen them in complexes big and small and even newer neighborhoods have CBUs.
In general, all cluster mailboxes work the same way. The carrier has a master key that opens the back of the unit or all the compartments at once. After placing the mail in the proper compartment, the carrier locks the CBU up and individual box users access their particular box with a key.
Safety is a growing concern among citizens as CBUs pop up across the country. But whereas a curbside or porch mailbox doesn’t lock, leaving your mail out in the open, mail delivered to a CBU is safe from tampering and the elements.
What are the USPS Cluster Mailbox Regulations?
The USPS has set several guidelines in place for cluster boxes but we’ll discuss the most common questions relating to CBUs.
Keys
Post Box Key
If a private party owns the CBU and it’s used by a household, condominium, apartment complex, or other type of residence, customers get their key from the owner, manager, or prior resident. The builder or property owner provides lock and key service for cluster mailboxes owned by private entities.
If the USPS owns the cluster box, the Postal Service provides every customer a compartment and three keys for the individual unit free of charge. The USPS does not keep copies of the keys and not does charge a deposit for use of the CBU or keys. If the keys get lost, USPS installs a new lock and keys at the customer’s expense.
If the customer moves, they must return all three compartment keys to the post office that handles that address. The USPS will change the lock and keys to the compartment before reissuing it to a new resident.
Mail Service to a CBU
Postal carriers must deliver mail to an address as it’s written. Sometimes, this means you receive a prior resident’s mail. If this happens, don’t tamper with the mail and instead, there are several ways to handle the situation.
- Leave a note inside your compartment with a note saying, “[Name] doesn’t live at this address” or “Only [your name] lives at this address.” The carrier should make a note of the change and handle it moving forward.
- Write “Return to sender” or “Not at this address” on the envelope and put it in the outgoing mail slot.
- Visit your local post office and request that you stop receiving the prior resident’s mail at your address.
If you live in a multi-family unit, this may happen often especially when you first move in. Note that it’s illegal to stop someone else from getting their mail, so at the very least, write a quick “RTS” on the unopened envelope.
Mailbox numbers don’t have to correspond to the actual address and, in most cases, have the resident’s name marked inside. In other words, if your address is 123 Main Street, your unit could have “123” marked on it or it could have another numerical designation.
In most cases, cluster box units have parcel lockers as well as smaller compartments for letter mail. Parcel lockers are for packages and larger envelopes that don’t fit inside the regular compartment. The carrier will leave a parcel locker key inside the letter compartment.
A number or letter is on the key tag that coincides with the parcel locker a package gets delivered to. The resident or customer uses this key to get their package. Once a resident retrieves the package, the key stays inside the lock and close the parcel locker door.
Most CBUs include an outgoing mail slot. This is where you drop your mail and the carrier will collect it during his or her route and take it for processing. This is at no cost to you.
We’re Leading the Way
Now that you know all the basic USPS cluster mailbox regulations, you can start your buying process! If you’re not sure where to start, we can help.
At National Mailboxes, a division of NMHP Inc., we’re a leader in the commercial mailbox industry. We’ve manufactured and supplied high-quality cluster mailboxes all over the country for decades.
Browse our product line or contact us today for a quote.