No mail delivery for months in a neighborhood

HOUSTON – Millions of Americans collect their mail from cluster mailboxes. These are multiple boxes installed in one location within an apartment complex or neighborhood to facilitate delivery and pickup for both letter carriers and customers. But what happens when they are broken? A community learns that this is not always a simple solution. The KPRC 2 Investigates team is looking to find out who is footing the bill.

Damaged cluster mailbox

Cluster mailboxes are damaged by normal wear and tear or if they are vandalized. Neighbors in some communities say the United States Postal Service (USPS) has already repaired or replaced them. It now appears that the USPS is shifting that burden to customers, but with little direction. Some would say that it is a real cluster.

For 35 years, Mark and Cindy Kochan have picked up their mail from the community mailbox at the end of their block in the South Meadow subdivision in Stafford. It stopped at the end of July.

“There was a lot of rust on the base,” Cindy said of the cluster mailbox which rusted and tipped over.

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In the past, the Kochan cluster mailbox was replaced by the US Postal Service when damaged.

“And we’ve been here for 35 years and he’s been replaced a couple of times before with no questions asked,” Mark said.

But not this time. Now Cindy and Mark go to the Stafford Post Office every two or three days and line up to collect their mail.

Post says it won’t solve the problem

After several weeks and without any information on when their box would be replaced, Mark emailed the USPS website. He received a letter in response.

In part, the letter reads as follows: “… the purchase, installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of mailboxes are the responsibility of the customer. “

“They tell you that’s all you need to do to get your box replaced. But that doesn’t say how and how much or any details to do it, ”said Mark.

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The Kochans don’t have an HOA, but when neighborhoods do, the Postal Service says they should pay for the boxes.

In July, KPRC 2 News interviewed a man in Katy going through the same race.

“When I spoke to the post office, they expressed that the HOA would replace the mailbox, but he said the post office is supposed to do it,” Mark said in July. “Looks like everyone wants to pass the buck.”

And that’s a lot of money to spend. We found out that Kochan’s cluster box costs $ 1,475 from the postal service. Coordinating efforts with neighbors to share costs have been difficult as they don’t even know who is sharing the mailbox.

“For me, the post office should contact us if it’s our responsibility to pay for it,” Cindy said.

Officially, the USPS would not admit that it replaced cluster enclosure units in the past. USPS has sent us a link to the Postal Service’s rules on what type of boxes the agency needs and where you can buy them.

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Below are some common questions and answers that customers have about cluster mailboxes.

What is a cluster mailbox?

A clustered mailbox is a centralized unit of individually locked compartments for the delivery and collection of mail. USPS also calls this a Cluster Box Unit (CBU) or community mailboxes.

The Postal Service says using a CBU saves fuel and reduces carbon emissions, as carriers can deliver mail to multiple customers during a single stop with less downtime trucks. A clustered mailbox is typically used for parcel and parcel deliveries.

Who is responsible for cluster mailboxes?

When a cluster mailbox is broken or there is a problem, the question of who is responsible for the mailbox usually arises. USPS says owners, builders, or developers are responsible for cluster mailboxes. This means that if the CBU is broken or damaged, the owner is responsible for fixing it. This could mean that the Homeowners Association takes charge or that the owners can appoint a manager to make sure the mailbox meets Postal Service regulations.

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Who should I call for a cluster mailbox problem?

USPS says you should contact your local post office before installing, moving, or replacing a CBU.

If your community’s cluster mailbox is broken or missing and you need a new one, you can call (713) 226-3608 or email [email protected].

You can purchase a cluster mailbox directly from the USPS or order one from a USPS approved manufacturer here https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2007/html/pb22206/ mailboxkit.4.16.html. You can learn more about USPS Cluster Mailbox Rules and Regulations here.

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USPS Official Statement on Cluster Mailbox Units

The Postal Service remains committed to providing world-class postal services to the American public. Safeguarding the security and sanctity of the mail is of paramount importance. This includes ensuring that mail receptacles are secure, secure, and in good repair at all times. Appropriate mail receptacles must be provided for receiving mail, including locations with approved centralized delivery, which use Cluster Box Units (CBUs). Postal service regulations specify that the purchase, installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of mail receptacles are the responsibility of the customer. The Postal Service will only provide mail delivery services to receptacles approved by the Post for the approved and established mode of delivery, including existing CBU equipment. In this case, local postal agents are aware of the need for customers to replace their damaged or obsolete CBU equipment and we continue to work with them and their HOA representatives, providing them with contact details of approved suppliers available to assist them in their process. purchase. and the installation of new CBU equipment. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to work with our customers and provide fast and efficient courier delivery services. Customers are reminded that if they require assistance with any mailing or shipping issues, there are a variety of options for contacting the postal service, including their local post office by calling 1- 800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or by visiting our website at www.usps.com/help.