In many apartment complexes, there is one box with a slot for outgoing mail. This arrangement combines resident convenience with USPS requirements for centralized mail and package centers.
Knowing where to put outgoing mail in your apartment can make it easier to avoid problems with incoming deliveries. This is especially true for addressing packages, which can be delayed if they aren’t formatted properly.
Indoor Mailboxes
There are several types of indoor mailboxes you can use as a place to put outgoing mail in an apartment. You can opt for individual door mount mailboxes that have a slot where you can place your outgoing mail, or cluster mailboxes that are wall-mounted and provide separate compartments for each resident. Some models have a front-loading design that makes them easy to access for USPS delivery and pickup.
You can also opt for apartment building mailboxes that are centralized in the entryway of your property. These can be configured with dual captive locking systems that allow residents to receive their mail and then lock it away, preventing other people from accessing their mail without a key. This type of system is ideal for apartment buildings, dormitories, and other commercial or residential developments with multiple units.
Some of these centralized mailboxes include outgoing mail slots that are designed to accommodate large envelopes and packages. This can be a convenient option for tenants who don’t want to have their outgoing mail sitting around in their mailboxes and is especially useful for tenants who work from home or for those with limited mobility.
If your apartment community has a central mailbox that opens from the back, place your outgoing letter in this box with the stamp facing up so it’s easy for your carrier to see when picking up the mail. If your community doesn’t have a central mailbox, you can leave your outgoing mail on the steps of the staircase leading up to your apartment, in front of your neighbor’s internal apartment door, or at a public mailbox area on your street.
Some outdoor mailboxes also have a dedicated outgoing mail slot for letters and small parcels. These can be a great option for apartment buildings that don’t have enough space in their mail center or courtyard to hold outgoing mail for all residents. You can also choose from a variety of add-ons for your indoor mailboxes that can give them extra functionality and security. For example, anti-pry mailboxes prevent someone from easily prying open the mailbox door with a tool such as a crowbar.
Outdoor Mailboxes
Ideally, you want your outgoing mail to be delivered safely and securely to your neighbors. Fortunately, there are many great options to choose from. You can get cluster mailboxes, which are ideal for apartment complexes because they provide tenants with centralized outdoor mail delivery. They also free up space in new construction or redesigned lobbies. They come in a range of sizes and styles, so it’s easy to find the perfect one for your community.
These units feature multiple locking mailbox compartments in a single, freestanding unit. They’re designed to stand up to harsh weather conditions, so they won’t rust or fade over time. You can also get anti-pry mailboxes, which prevent thieves from gaining access to your letters by prying open the door with a crowbar or other tool. This is a great option for communities that experience a lot of vandalism.
Some homeowners and business owners opt for roadside mailboxes. These are usually larger than residential mailboxes and are designed to stand at the end of a driveway. They’re also suitable for centralized mail delivery at apartment complexes and commercial properties. They’re usually locked, so you need to use a key or code to retrieve your letters.
If your apartment complex has a central mailbox, make sure you put your outgoing mail in that slot. Otherwise, your neighbors might think it’s theirs and pawn it off to someone else. You should also be careful about throwing junk mail on the ground in front of your neighbor’s apartment. Not only does it look messy, but it can give the impression that you don’t respect your neighbors.
Another way to make your outgoing mail more secure is to place it on the steps of the staircase leading up to your neighbor’s apartment. You can also leave it on a communal table inside the building, such as near the entrance to your community’s lobby or in the common area outside.
If you live in an apartment with no designated mailbox for outgoing mail, then it’s important to place your letters where they won’t be blown away by the wind or covered in rain or snow. You can also use a curbside basket or a newspaper box to hold your outgoing mail. If you have a centralized mailbox, then be sure to leave your letters in the “Letters” slot with the stamp facing up and towards the back. This way, your carrier will see them when he or she opens the mailbox to pick up your mail.
Parcel Lockers
A popular alternative to cluster mailboxes is a parcel locker. These are spacious compartments that offer a safe, secure place for a mail carrier to leave packages for a resident or customer to pick up at their convenience. Unlike the open, insecure porches or overhangs that are used at many apartment complexes, parcel lockers give the mail carrier and resident or shopper the assurance that their package is protected from theft and weather.
Typically found in a cluster of mailboxes or at busy office reception areas, parcel lockers are available in a range of sizes and types. Some cluster boxes feature a parcel locker slot in addition to their individual mailboxes, while larger properties may have community parcel lockers that are used by multiple recipients at once. Some lockers are even temperature-controlled and use a scan-and-go system for convenient access.
If your apartment building is in an area that is prone to mail and package theft, a parcel locker is the perfect solution. These large, lockable boxes offer a safe, secure option for mail carriers and residents to drop off and pick up deliveries without any risk of theft or inclement weather.
Parcel lockers can also save time and money for both the shipping service and the property owner. The shipping company can reduce their delivery time by leaving a package in the locker instead of delivering it to your door or PO Box, and you can avoid long wait times at your local post office when you can’t make it before the store closes.
If you’re considering using a parcel locker, be sure to research the reputation of the company and its safety and security measures. If possible, choose a location that is on your regular mail or delivery route so you can be more likely to remember to pick up your package.
There are also online portals where you can track your package in real-time so you can plan accordingly. The only drawback to this is that it doesn’t always work with all shipping services, so be sure to check before you use this method of delivery.
Combination Mailboxes
If you live in a large apartment complex, your building may have a cluster of mailboxes. Many of these cluster mailboxes come with a slot for outgoing mail. This slot is usually clearly labeled as “Outgoing Mail.” If you are not sure where to leave your outgoing mail, ask the apartment manager or another resident.
You can also put outgoing mail in the mailbox of your neighbor. This works especially well if you live on different floors of the apartment building. Simply place your outgoing mail in front of their internal apartment door or on a table or radiator inside the building.
Some apartments may not have outgoing mailboxes at all, in which case you will need to take your mail to the post office or drop it off at the apartment complex’s lobby desk. Some of the larger apartment buildings in Davis have outgoing mail slots located in the center of the courtyard by the entrance. Others have the slots out in front of the building by the street. The outgoing mail slot is a great way to reduce misplaced letters since the mail carrier can clearly see who sent it. You can order a cluster box with an outgoing mail slot by adding it to your apartment mailbox order.