Post left on communal floor

ahfat41

Son just bought a flat. 2 council tenants and he is the only private owner. The council is the leaseholder. There is no facility for posts. They are left on communal floor when delivered through letter box. Any suggestion pl to address this? Thanks

user1977

What sort of "addressing" does he want? In my case we have magazine file boxes on the ledge inside the front door, so you pick up the mail and sort it to the appropriate flat.

singhini

ahfat41 said:

Son just bought a flat. 2 council tenants and he is the only private owner. The council is the leaseholder. There is no facility for posts. They are left on communal floor when delivered through letter box. Any suggestion pl to address this? Thanks

i found this online which looks like guidance from Royal Mail about delivering mail to multi occupancy addresses. 
Delivering mail to multi-occupied addresses (Link 1)
Delivering mail to multi-occupied addresses (Link 2)

Perhaps see if you can do the following:

1. Contact the Council (the Freeholder / Managing Agent)

Since the council is the freeholder and managing agent, they are responsible for maintaining the communal areas and ensuring they are safe and suitable for use.
Could your son write or email the council’s housing department (and keep copies) explaining:

• There is no secure mail facility, so post is being left on the floor in communal areas.

• This creates a security risk (potential theft, loss of important documents, identity fraud).

• He requests that they install secure, individual mailboxes for each flat — ideally wall-mounted lockable boxes accessible to postal workers.

This is a reasonable request and might fit with Royal Mail’s delivery guidance, which reads to me that they recommend secure delivery points for multi-occupancy buildings.

2. Speak to Royal Mail Postman (next time he/she calls)

• Explain the situation (no individual letterboxes, post left on floor).

• Ask if the post can be held for collection (“Keep Safe” or “Local Collect” service) until the issue is fixed.

• Alternatively, he may want to self redirect important mail (e.g., bank, DVLA, HMRC) to a trusted address temporarily i.e. your address (thats what i would do if your nearby?)

3. Consider Installing a Private Mailbox (if permitted)

If the council is slow to act, your son could:

• Ask for written permission to install a lockable wall-mounted mailbox near the main door or inside the entrance hall.

• Choose a tamper-resistant model that fits Royal Mail’s size standards.

• Label it clearly with his flat number.

If he’s the only private owner, the council may still need to approve any fixtures to communal walls, but they often agree if it improves security.

FrugaiMacDugal

Wall mounted post box.

luvchocolate

We had these on the outside of the building. 8 flats all privately owned. 

flaneurs_lobster

ahfat41 said:

Son just bought a flat. 2 council tenants and he is the only private owner. 

I'm sorry that your son has to share his dwelling with poor people, must be very distressing for him.

Emmia

Our post goes through a single mail slot and is left on a ledge for collection - there's 11 flats, a mix of owner occupied and rental... Not had a problem. 

Are you concerned? Or is your son concerned?

user1977

Emmia said:

Our post goes through a single mail slot and is left on a ledge for collection - there's 11 flats, a mix of owner occupied and rental... Not had a problem. 

Quite. This is a normal scenario (I've lived in several places with the same set-up), not some weird anomaly which the OP's son must fix.

Albermarle

user1977 said:

Emmia said:

Our post goes through a single mail slot and is left on a ledge for collection - there's 11 flats, a mix of owner occupied and rental... Not had a problem. 

Quite. This is a normal scenario (I've lived in several places with the same set-up), not some weird anomaly which the OP's son must fix.

Maybe the OP's son could wait for a while and see if there are any actual problems with post going missing etc.
Also to maybe get to know the neighbours.
Then if still concerned go down the private letter box route.

sheramber

The problem with post boxes inside is how does the postie  get access to them?

I see people trying to deliver to the flats across from me and if nobody is in to answer the bell  and open the door they cannot get in. 

badmemory

Just because people rent it does not mean they are bad people.  Get to know them, they are probably just as worried about their new neighbour.