Can a snowbird rent a village mail box?

[Mthensley89@gmail.com]

My landlord doesn’t have a village mailbox I can use for a few months. Can I rent one on my own?

[dewilson58]

Go to the Post Office in Wildwood or Fruitland Park or UPS Store.

[Homer49]

Go to the Post Office in Wildwood or Fruitland Park or UPS Store.

Also Coleman, might be closer for some.

[SIRE1]

You can not rent a mail box in any of the neighbor mail stations, but you there are a number of places that you can rent a mail box on a monthly basis. Besides the post offices, most of the strip shopping centers within The Villages have stores that provide that service. These stores are Pack-n-Ship, SafeShip, and UPS Store. These stores allow you to rent a box for mail and also allow delivery of packages, both from the US Post, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon Prime. Suggest you check the shopping center near to where you are staying and see if there is one of those stores. That is what we used when we were renting and it worked out great.

[Dotneko]

We went to the village mail station and talked to the postal person. They held our mail addressed to the rental and gave it to us. We just needed to go when they were there. Worked for the 9 months we rented while waiting for our build to finish.

[metoo21]

We went to the village mail station and talked to the postal person. They held our mail addressed to the rental and gave it to us. We just needed to go when they were there. Worked for the 9 months we rented while waiting for our build to finish.

I bet the landlord would not have been happy if they knew. They didn't give you a key for a reason. It was so that you would not get mail addressed to the home. Multiple issues can arise if a renter has the ability to receive mail at the home address. You were supposed to make other arrangements for mail, packages, etc.

[mulligan]

By law, a renter is supposed to have the same rights and privileges as an owner. That would include use of the mailbox assigned to the rented home.

[Velvet]

Well if renters have the same privileges they need to have the same obligations too, pay the lawn company, utilities, property tax etc. unless these are already included in the rent. No such thing as a free lunch. Lol. In my northern city there are rental contracts, some parts are standard but another part is an agreement between the renter and the landlord on the rules. If future renter does not like the contract nothing says they are obligated to rent the place.

[DAVES]

I bet the landlord would not have been happy if they knew. They didn't give you a key for a reason. It was so that you would not get mail addressed to the home. Multiple issues can arise if a renter has the ability to receive mail at the home address. You were supposed to make other arrangements for mail, packages, etc.

Interesting-We sold our property in another state, several years after moving to the villages we were called for JURY DUTY. First of all I could not serve in a state where I was not a resident. Clearly they did not check to see the property was sold. I tossed the notice. Then I got a nasty note they were going to arrest me. Perhaps, they wanted an excuse to cover airfare and hotel to see Disney. OP said nine months. I would wonder if you could receive a Fla Drivers, License, Plates, Lower insurance rates etc etc etc to a po box.

[DAVES]

By law, a renter is supposed to have the same rights and privileges as an owner. That would include use of the mailbox assigned to the rented home.

Clearly, there is never a shortage of OPINION. Owner or renter, I would ask an attorney.
Not allowing a renter to use the mail box should appear in the contract with the renter.
An owner may not want a tenant access to the mailbox because of private matters that might arrive ie financial stuff, family stuff etc. "By law, a renter is supposed to have the same rights and privileges as an owner." Is simply not so. Example try as a renter getting a second mortgage on the home. No shortage of other examples.

[JMintzer]

Well if renters have the same privileges they need to have the same obligations too, pay the lawn company, utilities, property tax etc. unless these are already included in the rent. No such thing as a free lunch. Lol. In my northern city there are rental contracts, some parts are standard but another part is an agreement between the renter and the landlord on the rules. If future renter does not like the contract nothing says they are obligated to rent the place.

Um, those things are typically included in short term (and many long term) rentals...

[Mthensley89@gmail.com]

I will check out UPS store. I’m sure they can help.
P.S. our landlord is great. We each just assumed different things.

[metoo21]

Clearly, there is never a shortage of OPINION. Owner or renter, I would ask an attorney.
Not allowing a renter to use the mail box should appear in the contract with the renter.
An owner may not want a tenant access to the mailbox because of private matters that might arrive ie financial stuff, family stuff etc. "By law, a renter is supposed to have the same rights and privileges as an owner." Is simply not so. Example try as a renter getting a second mortgage on the home. No shortage of other examples.

Yes. It should be in the contract. Regarding not wanting a tenant access to the mailbox because of private matters, there is also the possibility of having ALL the mail (yours and the renters) forwarded with address change notices sent to original senders when the renter moves and changes their mailing address. Not worth the potential headaches that would cause. Renter getting a mail box at the PO, UPS Store, SafeShip, etc is just part of renting. If you are a landlord, find the nearest mail store and/or PO and put them along with contact info in the contract.

[Topspinmo]

Well if renters have the same privileges they need to have the same obligations too, pay the lawn company, utilities, property tax etc. unless these are already included in the rent. No such thing as a free lunch. Lol. In my northern city there are rental contracts, some parts are standard but another part is an agreement between the renter and the landlord on the rules. If future renter does not like the contract nothing says they are obligated to rent the place.

When they rent they are paying for that, included in monthly weekly daily rent fee. If not the owners losing money.

[retiredguy123]

The mailboxes are not owned by The Villages or the homeowner. They are Federal property, owned and operated by the USPS. They are paid for by the postage fees. So, The Villages and the homeowner really have no control over who uses the mailboxes, and whether or not a renter can use them.

[golfing eagles]

The mailboxes are not owned by The Villages or the homeowner. They are Federal property, owned and operated by the USPS. They are paid for by the postage fees. So, The Villages and the homeowner really have no control over who uses the mailboxes, and whether or not a renter can use them.

Can't use them without the key:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Pairadocs]

You can not rent a mail box in any of the neighbor mail stations, but you there are a number of places that you can rent a mail box on a monthly basis. Besides the post offices, most of the strip shopping centers within The Villages have stores that provide that service. These stores are Pack-n-Ship, SafeShip, and UPS Store. These stores allow you to rent a box for mail and also allow delivery of packages, both from the US Post, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon Prime. Suggest you check the shopping center near to where you are staying and see if there is one of those stores. That is what we used when we were renting and it worked out great.

Excellent and complete information. We've had several (snowbird) friends who have also found this to be an excellent option since renters seldom are given the actual resident owner's key.

[retiredguy123]

Can't use them without the key:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
True. But, if the renter is a long term renter and is a legal resident of the house, they may be entitled to get their own mailbox or their own key from the USPS. I'm not sure if the property owner has exclusive rights to the mailbox.

[EdFNJ]

I will check out UPS store. I’m sure they can help.
P.S. our landlord is great. We each just assumed different things. Just be careful if you send mail to a THE UPS STORE using your PMB# as you cannot FORWARD MAIL FROM A THE UPS STORE (or any other private mailbox/PMB) address back to another address as your individual PMB # is not listed by the USPS. You can only do that from USPS box. You can (if they will do it) have a THE UPS STORE employee gather it for you and reship it to any address (for a fee of course). I managed a THE UPS STORE for 4 years and had that problem myself when I left and moved here. The owner who had 3 stores wasn't even aware of it despite it being part of the training and in the store manuals.

[DaleDivine]

Go to the Post Office in Wildwood or Fruitland Park or UPS Store.

Best and easiest options...
:bigbow:

[BlueStarAirlines]

I would wonder if you could receive a Fla Drivers, License, Plates, Lower insurance rates etc etc etc to a po box.

Yes, I currently have everything being delivered to a PO box. That being said, I have to have a physical address on file that is in that state and have the PO Box as my mailing address.

[Luggage]

Exactly correct,

[Luggage]

Almost every bill that you can get can be sent electronically. And if you are talking about packages you should specify home delivery only. By the way you can get your Amazon packages sent to a locker, as well as probably ordering from about 10 different stores locally that will deliver directly to your home and I'm not just talking food anymore. Instacart has really taken over by allowing delivery from drug stores dollar stores and discount stores that sell general merchandise.

[mkjelenbaas]

My landlord doesn’t have a village mailbox I can use for a few months. Can I rent one on my own?
What did the post office say when you called?

[NY2TV]

The mailboxes are not owned by The Villages or the homeowner. They are Federal property, owned and operated by the USPS. They are paid for by the postage fees. So, The Villages and the homeowner really have no control over who uses the mailboxes, and whether or not a renter can use them.

They have control over who they give a key to.

[retiredguy123]

They have control over who they give a key to.
Who? If you are a legal resident of the house (renter or owner), I think you have the right to receive mail from the USPS. I'm not certain, but it seems to me that a long term renter, who is the legal resident, may have more of a right to use the assigned mailbox than the owner, who is not a resident.

[golfing eagles]

Who? If you are a legal resident of the house (renter or owner), I think you have the right to receive mail from the USPS. I'm not certain, but it seems to me that a long term renter, who is the legal resident, may have more of a right to use the assigned mailbox than the owner, who is not a resident.

And then again it may only SEEM that way (to you).

If someone REALLY needs to know, I would suggest contacting the rental agent or TV sales office or the USPS

[retiredguy123]

And then again it may only SEEM that way (to you).

If someone REALLY needs to know, I would suggest contacting the rental agent or TV sales office or the USPS
I agree. If I were a long term renter, I would ask the USPS to assign me a mailbox where all of the other residents receive their mail.

[WindyCityzen]

Why hadn’t anyone suggested they call the Lsdy Lake post office and ask to speak with the postmaster there? (Lady Lake P.O. manages all Villages mail service.) Why pay an attorney to research this? This isn’t In their wheelhouse.

[kitnhead]

We rented and used the UPS in Penelles Plaza. They are busy, but very good. Coming from a big city, my husband and I both wondered if the reason we couldn’t have a mail key in TV was that it could open up the possibility of squatting, as one could establish residency by receiving mail. Of course our opinion is tainted by having been in a city where that stuff is more common than one would think. Just a thought. Maybe it also has to do with the fact that most don’t seem to rent long term in TV and giving over keys could get messy or even people making copies of keys.

[RICH1]

They Ruin everything, can’t have anything nice

[Bogie Shooter]

They Ruin everything, can’t have anything nice

:what:

[metoo21]

We rented and used the UPS in Penelles Plaza. They are busy, but very good. Coming from a big city, my husband and I both wondered if the reason we couldn’t have a mail key in TV was that it could open up the possibility of squatting, as one could establish residency by receiving mail. Of course our opinion is tainted by having been in a city where that stuff is more common than one would think. Just a thought. Maybe it also has to do with the fact that most don’t seem to rent long term in TV and giving over keys could get messy or even people making copies of keys.

^^^^^ Yes. And squatting has happened in The Villages from what I have read.

[HogPilot]

Just be careful if you send mail to a THE UPS STORE using your PMB# as you cannot FORWARD MAIL FROM A THE UPS STORE (or any other private mailbox/PMB) address back to another address as your individual PMB # is not listed by the USPS. You can only do that from USPS box. You can (if they will do it) have a THE UPS STORE employee gather it for you and reship it to any address (for a fee of course). I managed a THE UPS STORE for 4 years and had that problem myself when I left and moved here. The owner who had 3 stores wasn't even aware of it despite it being part of the training and in the store manuals.

I had excellent service from the UPS store for the 4 months we rented until we closed on our house. When we got our Villages mailbox we found out that the UPS store could not forward our mail when we inquired about it being forwarded.

I recommend one to rent a mailbox from the United States Post Office if you want your mail forwarded to you after your rental is over.

[JMintzer]

We rented and used the UPS in Penelles Plaza. They are busy, but very good. Coming from a big city, my husband and I both wondered if the reason we couldn’t have a mail key in TV was that it could open up the possibility of squatting, as one could establish residency by receiving mail. Of course our opinion is tainted by having been in a city where that stuff is more common than one would think. Just a thought. Maybe it also has to do with the fact that most don’t seem to rent long term in TV and giving over keys could get messy or even people making copies of keys.

It's most likely the owner doesn't want the mailbox keys lost.

Front door keys are easy to replace. Mailbox keys? Not so much.

We received only two mailbox keys to our mailbox at settlement (it was a resale). We have yet to find anyone who will make us a duplicate...

USPS has to come out, re-key your box and they'll give you as many keys as you want to pay for...

[Rose Ann Vinci Igoe]

My landlord doesn’t have a village mailbox I can use for a few months. Can I rent one on my own?

rent a PO BOX at the local post office for a few months.

[metoo21]

It's most likely the owner doesn't want the mailbox keys lost.

Front door keys are easy to replace. Mailbox keys? Not so much.

We received only two mailbox keys to our mailbox at settlement (it was a resale). We have yet to find anyone who will make us a duplicate...

USPS has to come out, re-key your box and they'll give you as many keys as you want to pay for...

Did you try Ace Hardware? And Affordable Lock & Security Solutions in Lady Lake?

[JMintzer]

Did you try Ace Hardware? And Affordable Lock & Security Solutions in Lady Lake?

I tried Lowes & Home Depot. They both said they were not allowed to copy them...

[mulligan]

To respond to the OP's original question, no, a snowbird cannot rent a P>O> box at a Villages postal station. They have to actually rent a full size house.

[nn0wheremann]

Interesting-We sold our property in another state, several years after moving to the villages we were called for JURY DUTY. First of all I could not serve in a state where I was not a resident. Clearly they did not check to see the property was sold. I tossed the notice. Then I got a nasty note they were going to arrest me. Perhaps, they wanted an excuse to cover airfare and hotel to see Disney. OP said nine months. I would wonder if you could receive a Fla Drivers, License, Plates, Lower insurance rates etc etc etc to a po box.
Wesley Wilcox was sending Marion County voter registration cards to the people I bought the House from for four years. I would “return to sender, addressee unknown “ but they kept on coming. On Election Day I took the documents to the polling place, explaining that one of the couple was dead and the other back in New York for four years. Their voter registration cards stopped coming to my mailbox. I still get their junk mail. The post office does not care to whom they deliver mail, or maybe it is just the sourpuss carrier in our mail station

[EdFNJ]

Did you try Ace Hardware? And Affordable Lock & Security Solutions in Lady Lake?They are not allowed to copy them which is why the major businesses won't (not saying you won't find some place that will). All our mailbox keys (the 2 from our "Villages" box and 2 from our USPS box in Lady Lake PO) are stamped DO NOT DUPLICATE USPS on them which is why they won't do it. Yes, the The Villages mailboxes are "official" USPS boxes. No honest locksmith will jeopardize his business to attempt duplication of postal keys.

This is the "law": 18 U.S. Code SS 1704 - Keys or locks stolen or reproduced | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1704)

[EdFNJ]

To respond to the OP's original question, no, a snowbird cannot rent a P>O> box at a Villages postal station. They have to actually rent a full size house.:1rotfl: