Mailbox for Basement Unit...Legal ?

Question

Hello Fellow Landlords,

I wanted to understand the legal aspect of adding an extra mailbox labeled “B” for the basement unit in a small multi family (Duplex...Fourplex). I can imagine landlords typically get general mails they can’t send to the units of their tenants, so where do you typically send your mails for your rental properties ?

I’ve seen the extra mailbox quite often in Newark NJ, where I currently invest, but I’m not quite sure if that’s legal or not.

Any insights would be quite helpful, Thanks

Ray Reed · Answer

Most of the utilities and mortgage statements you can chose the paperless option. goes right to your email account.

Ley Nezifort · Answer

@Marc Winter Thanks a lot for that Marc ! In my case, it’d be more like a drop location

Ley Nezifort · Answer

@Bjorn Ahlblad Pretty smart! In my case , there’s a legal basement that’s being used to store some stuff. Was just trying to figure out if It was okay to send common utility bills and other mails there

Marc Winter · Answer

In NYC, basement apartments are against code in the majority of cases: they usually have no permits, no inspections, no 2nd means of egress, etc.

One of the ways the building department inspectors would catch, cite and close down these illegal apartments was, as they were walking down a block of say, 2-family houses, if they saw 3 or 4 mailboxes or doorbells, they would take note and do an inspection.

If the third apartment had a stove/bath/bed/clothing... busted.  If just a mail drop location, probably nothing.

But who wants a housing/building department inspection?  Their thinking:  as long as we're here, might as well cite for some infraction, like a baby stroller in the hallway.

Want another address?  Rent a PO Box or go to a UPS store.

Pat L. · Answer

A fellow investor rented his duplex to 2 related families only to discover 6 mailboxes installed a month later. When he reported it to Soc Services (yep they got mail from Soc services) they replied they didn't have the time to investigate. So I doubt if you will have a problem.

Another fellow investor was told he could only have 5 units so he has 6 mailboxes labelled 0-5 & is getting away with it.

Bjorn Ahlblad · Answer

I installed a mail slot in my storage room and called it number 14! I would not sweat the legalities as long as the unit is legal.

Mailbox for Basement Unit...Legal ?

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