Defective Mailboxes

Tenants complained of a reduction in services based on defective mailboxes. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents. Landlord appealed, claiming that there was nothing wrong with the mailboxes and that they met U.S. Post Office standards. The DHCR ruled against landlord. An inspection found that the mailboxes were very old and had bent doors. Tenants claimed that the mailboxes were hard to open, and that the lids were constantly coming off and mail was exposed. The post office had sent landlord two letters advising that the mailboxes were old, small, couldn't handle mail volume, and posed a safety hazard to postal employees. The post office told landlord it should repair or replace the mailboxes.

The Kibel Companies, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. RL110046RO (6/10/04) [4-pg. doc.]