Busted Letter Box

Personally, if it were me, I would write to the EC/OC and tell them that I want a secure letter box for my mail.  I would also point out that I may hold them responsible for any mail theft and subsequent repercussions of this.

If it were only the key, that would be easy.  But if it is the whole structure, and doors are hanging off, that surely is the responsibility of the OC. 

I believe that in the model bylaws, regarding changing common property, that you did not need permission where it was for safety or security (don't have the bylaws at hand to quote exactly).  I would check whether this would constitute security and safety (identity theft) and, should the OC not be forthcoming with the repairs, I personally would advise that I will be installing a new letterbox.  

But you have to check!  And you have to advise!  Don't go marching in there and doing work yourself, even if the letterboxes are in a state of disrepair.  Put it all in writing.  Complain.  Draw it to their attention. Follow up!  In the meantime, perhaps you could get a PO box.

Billen Ben, that is just how I personally would take this matter to the OC/EC in chicken feets case.  If the mail boxes are common property, and they are supposed to be lockable then they should be maintained in that way.  Although locks I would think are the responsibility of the individual owners? the actual structure with doors hanging off hinges I would have thought would be for the OC to maintain/repair.

 Chicken feets mail box is apparently in a structure and locks were initially provided on the mail boxes on the closable doors.  So if this structure was in place initially, and therefore initially providing a secure place for your mail, than I would perhaps suggest to the OC that, due to their lack of attention to this common property, I may hold them responsible for missing mail.  Or they can let me do something about it myself!  

In your case, as no lockable mail boxes were provided in the first instance, and this accessible system has been there since day dot, don't like your chances of holding them responsible for missing mail.  Rather, you could suggest that a more secure mail box structure be built.  Or stick to the PO Box. 

Our complex has a lockable secure letterbox structure keep in good condition.  Some residents have lost their keys – their problem.  But the structure is secure and all the letterbox doors are locked (though this does not stop someone from taking the mail sticking out of the letterbox! so not 100%).  Therefore, many residents here have a PO box for the ultimate in mail security.  So even with lock and key, can't be sure these days.

chicken feet said:

I recently purchased a unit and was dismayed by the neglected state of the letter boxes inside the foyer area of our complex …

Hi chickenfeet,  when I was viewing properties before purchasing my villa, I was amazed at the state of letterboxes.  Many tiny and with doors hanging off.  I thought like you that if I was going to live in one of those places, I would be asking that the letterboxes were replaced with the larger size.

Australia Post website have “approved” dimensions that not only suggest the size but also distance from the ground for individual letterboxes.

Fortunately, my Owners Corporation had purchased a set of larger lockable metal letterboxes that sit on our front brick fence, instead of the smaller “in the fence” previous models.  I notice quite a few strata buildings in my suburb have done the same.

I had a locksmith change the lock on my letterbox when I was having my other locks changed after settlement.

The NSW Act requires that the OC “must construct and maintain at or near the street alignment of the parcel a letterbox suitable to receive mail and other documents” and that “the name of the OC is to be clearly shown on the letterbox”.

As posties are not supposed to deliver mail beyond the boundary, how does the mail in question get into the foyer boxes?

May I suggest rather than being another problem in your strata scheme, be part of the solution. It has probably been an accumulation over a number of years of owners, occupiers not wanting to get involved that has led to the present state of the letter boxes.

Jump on the internet and locate several letter box installers and either email or phone them for a quote. If you email the ec or strata manager the three quotes and a recommendation they will thank you for doing the leg work.

I would also suggest that replacing the wooden letter boxes with new aluminum ones shouldn’t require a special resolution as it should be considered simple maintenance of common property.

Good Luck, Mr S