Upgrading Apartment Mailboxes for Rental Property Compliance and Security
For this project, a property manager contacted us to replace an aging 6-mailbox setup that had become unstable and unsecured.
The upgrade was also needed to comply with BMC 6.15.050, a rental property ordinance in Bellingham, WA requiring rental properties to provide locking mailboxes for tenants. The ordinance was designed to help:
- Reduce mail theft
- Protect renters from identity theft
- Support tenant financial security
In addition to compliance concerns, the existing mailbox setup was physically failing as well. The old mailboxes were loosely secured and beginning to fall over.
During the installation, one of the tenants mentioned that the existing mailboxes leaked water whenever it rained and their mail was consistently getting wet inside the boxes. They were excited to finally have a more secure and weather-resistant setup installed.
Replacing an Aging Multi-Mailbox Setup
Because this property required six tenant mailboxes, the installation was split into two separate 3-mailbox configurations.
Each set of three mailboxes was mounted using its own dedicated heavy-duty steel mailbox post.
If you’ve read some of our previous installation posts, I’ve mentioned that once you begin mounting four heavy-duty locking mailboxes onto a single post, the combined weight starts becoming substantial. Four locking mailboxes weigh roughly 120 pounds combined before mail is even added inside.
For three mailboxes, however, a properly installed heavy-duty steel post creates a very balanced and stable installation.
Why We Use Heavy-Duty Steel Mailbox Posts
Multi-unit mailbox installations place a significant amount of weight and leverage onto mailbox posts over time.
Compared to traditional wood posts, reinforced steel posts help provide:
- Better rigidity
- Reduced long-term maintenance
- Improved resistance to sagging or twisting
- Better long-term durability in wet climates
For rental properties and property managers, minimizing future maintenance is a major advantage.
Installing the New Locking Mailboxes
To begin the installation, I removed the existing mailbox structures and prepared the site for the new setup.
After carefully measuring spacing and placement, I installed two heavy-duty steel mailbox posts and secured them into concrete.
From there, I mounted a 3-mailbox spreader plate onto each post followed by six high-security locking mailboxes.
The final result created:
- A cleaner appearance
- Better tenant mail security
- Improved weather protection
- A much sturdier long-term installation
Why Property Managers Like Mail Boss Locking Mailboxes
One detail property managers often appreciate about the Mail Boss brand is simplified key management.
Each mailbox key is uniquely serialized. If replacement keys are needed in the future, additional keys can be ordered directly from Mail Boss using the recorded key code.
That means:
- No locksmith visits
- No rekeying entire mailbox systems
- Faster replacement turnaround
- Lower long-term maintenance costs
For property managers overseeing multiple units, that can make ongoing tenant turnover substantially easier to manage.
One recommendation I always give property managers is to keep a record of:
- The mailbox number
- Associated tenant
- Key serial number
Having that information documented upfront makes future key replacement much simpler.
The Finished Result
What started as a deteriorating, leaking, unsecured mailbox setup became:
- A compliant locking mailbox installation
- A reinforced steel post system
- Improved tenant security
- Better weather protection
- A cleaner and more professional appearance for the property
For rental properties, mailbox upgrades are one of those improvements that tenants notice immediately.
Video overviews about the products used during installation:
Mail Boss Mail Manager
Heavy Duty Steel Post
3 Box Spreader