Landlord Can't Charge Mailbox Key Deposit

Landlord installed new mailboxes in its building and required all tenants to deposit $10 for a mailbox key. Landlord said that the deposits would be refunded when tenants moved out. Rent-stabilized tenant asked the DHCR if this was allowed. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said no. Under DHCR policy, landlord can't charge tenants a fee for a front door building key because this was a required service. Similarly, mailbox access was a required service, and landlord can't ask tenants to pay a deposit for mailbox keys.

DHCR Opin. Ltr. by Charles Goldstein (10/10/03) [3-pg. doc.]