As part of an effort to reduce delivery costs, some local postmasters have advised apartment owners and managers in some states that mail deliveries to new addresses, including apartment communities, will be made to outdoor “cluster box units” (CBUs) instead of traditional mailboxes inside the apartment buildings. The notices indicate the postal service also plans to deliver packages to secure parcel lockers instead of locations such as leasing offices and concierge desks for residents to retrieve them.
These notices indicate that the local postmasters have authority to initiate delivery changes through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postal Operations Manual; however, USPS says it is not currently planning forced conversions to centralized delivery for properties with established service. USPS says it will purchase and install CBUs without charge for apartment communities currently receiving regular delivery, if they voluntarily request centralized delivery service.
NMHC/NAA have requested clarification from USPS on its delivery policies for apartment communities and the process to appeal delivery decisions.
An NMHC/NAA Overview of USPS’s Delivery Policies and a sample notification letter are also available.
Related Resources
- House Committee Shines Spotlight on the Need for Postal Reform
- NMHC and NAA Raise Apartment Industry Concerns about Postal Reform
- NMHC and NAA USPS Postal Reform Letter to House Committee on Oversight and Reform
- Treasury Releases Postal Reform Recommendations
- 2018 NMHC/Kingsley Package Delivery Survey