Question
My landlord has put a lock on our mailbox, the rent is ALWAYS on time...is this legal?
My landlord is crazy...I mean really crazy. We are planning to move when the lease is up (if we break the lease she says that she is going to sue us) So we are waiting until May to move. Anyway, she has put a lock on our mail box. She lives right beside us so we share the same mail box. It states in our lease that she is supposed to bring our mail to us. However, we have received a few pieces of mail that have been opened and taped shut again, We called the people and companies that the mail was from, and they state that they did not tape the letters sent to us. So our landlord has been reading our mail. So we started to check our own mail. A few days ago I went to check the mail, and there was a lock on the mailbox. We do not have a key to the mailbox so we can not get our own mail. When we asked for a key, she responded "No". Is this legal?
1 month ago - 9 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
The lock is legal. Opening your mail is not. However, tape does not mean she opened it. The postal service tapes mail too, sometimes it gets caught in machines and ripped. She locked the mail box becaue in order to get to your mail you had to go through hers, and she never agreed to that. You paid your rent on time, but there is more to your lease then just that. There is that requirement that she brings in the mail, both you and her have to follow that, and you decided to break it.
by Landlord
4 weeks ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
No this is not legal. First step is to report her to the post office, they take these offences very seriously. Next off, take her to the rental tribunal and report her behavior. She is invading your privacy and she may have made your rental agreement VOID by doing so.
by Nurse Jessica- 1 month ago
Yes it is. It's illegal to be going through others personal mail and she could be fined, sued, or sent to jail It's like violation of personal proberty or something like that. '
by Piggly Wiggly- 1 month ago
It is against federal law for anybody to mess with your mail or mail box. Not sure why she is bringing it too you, I suppose you share an address. I would call the post office and see what they recommend.
by Ross- 1 month ago
Call your postmaster and tell him the problem..Messing with someones mail is a Federal offense---and the postmaster will take a complaint and advise you.
by steveko777- 1 month ago
YES, that is illegal! That is mail tampering and is a Federal offense. It is illegal to tamper with or open anyone elses mail. She really needs to have a separate box for tenants. Locking you out is definitely illegal. Inform her that she needs to follow the law or you will report her to the post office.
by Wildcat- 1 month ago
Here is what i do recommend. Go to the Post office and rent a P.O. box and have it all forwarded to that P.O. box until you move. She can no longer look at your mail. And since she is having a key to the only mail box and you have received it in a open condition she can and should go to jail for mail tampering. Best of luck
by Big Deal Maker- 1 month ago
As above, and just for extra measure - Super glue works wonders on locks.....
by Dingrat- 1 month ago
i would ask her for your own mailbox,then put a lock on it. or if u get checks have them deposited to ur bank or credit union. I would be looking for a new house she maybe coming in ur apartment when ur not home!
by blondie- 4 weeks ago