Legal Mailbox Lock Replacement

May 7, 2021
Legal Mailbox Lock Replacement

IMPORTANT - Regarding USPS Cluster Mailboxes: NEVER attempt to Drill Out a Mailbox Lock

Since the USPS services USPS Cluster Mailboxes, you will need your local postmaster or postal carrier to open the master door before you can replace an individual tenant lock by following these instructions.

Whether you're a tenant in an apartment complex with a shared bank of cluster mailboxes for one address or a homeowner with a street box, you're no stranger to unlocking your box to pick up your mail.

A locked mailbox offers an extra layer of privacy and security protection for personal information. However, if your mailbox lock breaks or if you lose your key, you're unable to access your mail, that can cause a considerable amount of stress.

What should you do? Pick the lock? Grab your cordless drill?

SLOW DOWN.

First, does someone have a copy of your key? Landlords have all kinds of keys. They may be able to help.

If you don't have any other key options, brute force is still not the solution. You're not the first person to have to deal with a broken lock or missing mailbox key. You're also not the first person to search through a junk drawer full of keys for a copy of the key with no luck.

We're here to help. Here's a list of items you need and mailbox features to consider. Check out our tips, warnings, and how-to guide below before you panic.

Is It Legal to Fix Your Mailbox Lock?

Some lawyers must be experts on post offices and mailbox locks, but they haven't published much case law on the subject. Even an internet search didn't reveal a clear answer.

Since non-lawyers shouldn't dispense legal advice, here's how we can answer the question of legality.

We went straight to the top authority for our search on the matter, the United States Postal Service. The USPS does not directly answer the question, but they do discuss responsibility for mailbox maintenance.

Before you start your lock replacement project, your first step is to figure out who owns the mailbox. We break ownership into three categories: USPS owned, Cluster Mailboxes for apartments and communities, or your personal property.

USPS Owned

If the USPS owns the mailbox or parcel locker, reach out to your local post office from Mon. - Fri. They are responsible for arrow lock and master door maintenance and will advise you.

Cluster Mailboxes for Apartments or Communities

If you live in an apartment or condominium with a cluster box setup, the landlord, management company, or housing association is responsible for mailbox maintenance.

Your personal curbside mailbox or wall mailbox

If you own your mailbox, you're responsible for any repairs and can replace the lock if you please.

While we can't simply say yes or no, by determining who owns your mailbox, you should be able to decide whether DIY replacement is an option or you have to reach out for help getting a new key. If you own the mailbox, DIY is usually okay and so drilling out the mailbox lock, in that scenario, may be the appropriate solution. However, we will not provide instructions on how to drill out a residential mailbox lock, as that is not our area of expertise.

Key Questions to Ask Before You Get Started

Most people don't replace mailbox locks regularly. Though replacement can be a DIY job, it can be tricky and isn't for just anyone.

Since you're concerned with the security and privacy of your mail and want to do a great job, you should consider these key factors before you replace your lock.

What Type of Lock Will You Use?

The structure of the mailbox might answer this one for you. Some mailboxes can be secured with a padlock or combination lock. The replacement type we're discussing here is similar to the type of latch used to secure a file cabinet.

How Do You Retrieve Your Mail?

Once again, the structure of your mailbox helps answer this question. Make sure the placement of any lock doesn't prevent the mail carrier from delivering your mail. You also need to ensure you have access to your mail while keeping it secure.

Some mailboxes have one slot solely for deliveries, with another area dedicated to mail retrieval. These areas may sit on top of another, or the deposit slot may sit in front, and you retrieve mail from a door in the back of the box. Other boxes have a door on top that's used for both deliveries and mail pick-up. This arrangement is common in residential wall-mounted mailboxes.

Your mailbox setup doesn't matter as long as you don't make mail delivery or pick-up impossible when installing the new latch and lock.

What Are Your Mailbox and Lock Material?

Though you're not going to spend a fortune to replace your lock and key, you want to make sure they last. At the same time, if your mailbox is made of flimsy material, you should consider replacing the whole thing.

Mailboxes and locks come in a variety of types, styles, and materials. For durability and security, you can't beat steel. However, this long-lasting metal may make your DIY job a little more challenging.

How Will You Install Your Lock?

If you're using a padlock or combination lock, you're in for a quick-and-easy job. If you need to install a lock, your job will take longer and require a few more key steps.

Do you need a lock with clockwise or counterclockwise rotation? Does your lock latch vertically or horizontally? Do you have to worry about the placement of house numbers? Maybe you never took note before, but these features are important.

Likewise, are you installing a lock for your mailbox only, or are you a landlord or property manager who needs to replace several locks and keys for a group of mailboxes? If you have a one-and-done job, check out our tips below and go for it.

If you're responsible for the mailboxes of multiple tenants, you may want to bring in a professional locksmith. You'll find hiring a pro is key to saving you time, money, and aggravation.

Things to Beware Before Replacing the Lock

Now that you have the answers to some key questions, you're almost ready to replace your mailbox lock. Before you get started, we'll share a few warnings:

Do Not Tamper with USPS Arrow Locks

If you own a cluster mailbox or if you are a tenant that receives mail via cluster mailbox, then your mailbox uses a USPS arrow lock. Put down the drill and back away from the mailbox. To replace the arrow locks require assistance from your local USPS branch. If you need help opening the master door to your mailbox so you can replace an individual tenant lock, that's fine -- contact your local post office, and they should send someone to open the master door.

When you tamper with an arrow lock, you may face hefty fines or even jail time. Don't mess around. Contact your local post office for assistance.

Do Not Pick or Drill the Lock Mechanism Directly

If you pick or drill the lock directly, you may cause serious damage to the lock housing or even the mailbox itself. Check out our key steps below to determine how to drill out a mailbox lock and get the job done right.

If you're not sure you can handle the job yourself, you can always call a locksmith and leave the job to a pro. You can also reach out to your local postmaster with questions.

Steps to Replace a Mailbox Lock on Your Cluster Mailbox

If you're handy, you can take a look at our how-to guide and wrap up your lock-and-key project in just a few minutes. Make sure you have everything you need ready, so you don't have to take time to search in the middle of the job.

Purchase a New Lock from an Authorized Dealer

Have you ever heard the saying, "Garbage in, garbage out?" When you purchase a new lock, you want to make sure you get a quality product that lasts and performs well. Sure, you can search for a replacement on Google and find a variety of options, but who knows what type of product you'll get?

We offer our customers high-quality, stainless steel Salsbury locks for cluster, horizontal, and vertical model mailboxes. Our commercial mailbox replacement locks come with interchangeable cams to fit almost all manufacturers' models.

No dealer can prevent lost keys or intentional damage. Still, with dependable stainless steel products from an authorized dealer, you won't end up becoming a DIY mailbox locksmith because of defective materials that don't last.

Contact Your Post Office for Access

When it comes to mailbox lock replacement, there's an easy way and a hard way. Contacting your local post office is the easy way to go about this process.

Letter Carrier Will Unlock the Mailboxes

Normally, your USPS letter carrier doesn't need to unlock your mailbox for daily delivery. However, if you have to replace your lock, your postal carrier can use their arrow lock key to give you access.

With the mailbox door open, you can replace the lock from the inside. This inside job offers the quickest and easiest method for lock replacement. Again: this method applies to replacing tenant locks on Cluster Mailboxes approved by the USPS. See the video embedded below for more information:

Contact Budget Mailboxes

If you need help finding replacement locks or want more information on our wide variety of residential and commercial products, reach out by phone at 866-707-0008 or email us through our contact form. Our response times, excellent service, quality products, and affordable prices are the keys to our success.

Other FAQs:

Is it illegal to break into my own mailbox?

If you can't unlock your mailbox to get to the mail inside, you may wonder if breaking into your own mailbox is against the law. Well, it's YOUR mailbox and your mail. You should be able to burst it open and to get your mail however you want, right? Not so fast.

Before you decide to smash, hack, or otherwise destroy the box, you need to determine the owner.

If the USPS owns the mailboxes, you need to call upon the post office for advice and permission or service. If a landlord or property management company owns the mailboxes, it's up to the owner or manager, not you, to replace the tenant locks.

If you own a residential curbside or wall mount mailbox (not a cluster mailbox, which has to be opened by a USPS mail carrier), you can decide the best course of action. Unless you want to go broke replacing locks, keys, and mailboxes, contact a professional locksmith or check out instructions to drill and replace the lock.

Can I change my own mailbox lock?

Again, this depends: if it is a Cluster Mailbox, and you are the property manager or owner of the unit, then you can replace individual tenant locks, but only after the USPS mail carrier opens the master door for you.

If your mailbox is a residential curbside or wall mount mailbox and you are the sole owner, and if the lock needs to be changed and if you have the DIY skills, then it may be possible to switch out the lock and replace it yourself. First, as we've mentioned in the article above, you need to make sure YOU own the box first.

Unless you have some experience with changing locks, the job could be more complicated than you think. In most cases, reaching out to your local post office first is always a good idea.

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