Will be Renting this summer but homeowner will not allow me to use her mailbox.

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Old 04-14-2025, 01:40 PM
azcindy azcindy is offline
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Default Will be Renting this summer but homeowner will not allow me to use her mailbox.

The homeowner will not allow me to use her mailbox when I rent her house. She suggested I signup for SafeShip or the UPS store to get a PO box. Problem is these places give you a physical address, not a PO Box number. So how do I get Amazon packages delivered to my physical rental address, and not my mailing address? Amazon does not have a section for mailing address only and the 2 addresses would be different zip codes so I can't have both addresses on one form. This becomes more problematic when Amazon decides to ship via USPS (and normally you don't know in advance). Hopefully someone has dealt with this.

Thanks,

Cindy
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Old 04-14-2025, 01:51 PM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is offline
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If this is a short term rental, you may not have much choice. But if it is a long term rental, you can change your mailing address at the Post Office and get a new lock and keys. The landlord cannot control the box. The mailbox is owned by the USPS, not by the landlord. I would check with the Post Office about their policy for long vs short term rentals.
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Old 04-14-2025, 02:04 PM
azcindy azcindy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123 View Post
If this is a short term rental, you may not have much choice. But if it is a long term rental, you can change your mailing address at the Post Office and get a new lock and keys. The landlord cannot control the box. The mailbox is owned by the USPS, not by the landlord. I would check with the Post Office about their policy for long vs short term rentals.
I have a 3 month rental with right of first refusal for subsequent months. Homeowner says because of Squatter rights, it is not good to let a tenant use your mailbox. I am not familiar with squatter rights, but that might be true.

Anyway, wish Amazon would let you know what shipping method they plan to use in advance so one can select the appropriate address.
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Old 04-14-2025, 02:12 PM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is offline
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Just to clarify, it is not their mailbox. It is the property of the U.S. Government.

I don't think Amazon will tell you what shipping method they will use, but you can have packages delivered to a nearby Amazon locker for you to pick up.
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Old 04-14-2025, 02:26 PM
OrangeBlossomBaby OrangeBlossomBaby is online now
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The landlord is right to not let you use their mailbox. True story:

Someone nearby rented their house to someone, who filled out a change of address form, and had mail delivered to the mailbox at the postal station. The tenant then used mail sent there as proof of residence, and then used that proof of residence to hire a locksmith to change the locks at the house, thus locking the landlord out of their own home.

OP, maybe just live without Amazon for a couple of months.
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Old 04-14-2025, 02:31 PM
azcindy azcindy is offline
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Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby View Post

OP, maybe just live without Amazon for a couple of months.
Impossible! LOL
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Old 04-14-2025, 02:33 PM
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Amazon will deliver ~98% of your boxes directly to your front door. If they end up shipping via USPS, go to the mail center while the carrier is there, knock on the door, and ask for your package and/or explain the situation. They are familiar with this dilemma and are generally accommodating. YMMV
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Old 04-14-2025, 02:38 PM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is offline
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Originally Posted by Pugchief View Post
Amazon will deliver ~98% of your boxes directly to your front door. If they end up shipping via USPS, go to the mail center while the carrier is there, knock on the door, and ask for your package and/or explain the situation. They are familiar with this dilemma and are generally accommodating. YMMV
That may work at your mail station, but not at mine. The guy there won't give you the time of day, or a package. Besides, it is illegal to deliver a package that has the wrong name on it.
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Old 04-14-2025, 03:05 PM
Eg_cruz Eg_cruz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azcindy View Post
The homeowner will not allow me to use her mailbox when I rent her house. She suggested I signup for SafeShip or the UPS store to get a PO box. Problem is these places give you a physical address, not a PO Box number. So how do I get Amazon packages delivered to my physical rental address, and not my mailing address? Amazon does not have a section for mailing address only and the 2 addresses would be different zip codes so I can't have both addresses on one form. This becomes more problematic when Amazon decides to ship via USPS (and normally you don't know in advance). Hopefully someone has dealt with this.

Thanks,

Cindy
They give you a box number
When you get a package they hold it
I use them and never miss a package
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Old 04-14-2025, 04:09 PM
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Default Best Delivery Option for Renter...

"...you can have packages delivered to a nearby Amazon locker for you to pick up."

This is your best option. Just select the locker location of your choice when you order. They are literally available everywhere these days.
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Old 04-14-2025, 04:46 PM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is offline
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Originally Posted by MsPCGenius View Post
"...you can have packages delivered to a nearby Amazon locker for you to pick up."

This is your best option. Just select the locker location of your choice when you order. They are literally available everywhere these days.
The only potential problem is that, if Amazon decides to use USPS, they will not deliver the package to an Amazon locker.
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Old 04-14-2025, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by retiredguy123 View Post
The only potential problem is that, if Amazon decides to use USPS, they will not deliver the package to an Amazon locker.
Isn't it more likely that if Amazon was shipping to an Amazon locker they would choose a delivery method that would be successful?
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Old 04-14-2025, 05:35 PM
jimhoward jimhoward is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby View Post
The landlord is right to not let you use their mailbox. True story:

Someone nearby rented their house to someone, who filled out a change of address form, and had mail delivered to the mailbox at the postal station. The tenant then used mail sent there as proof of residence, and then used that proof of residence to hire a locksmith to change the locks at the house, thus locking the landlord out of their own home.

OP, maybe just live without Amazon for a couple of months.

Wow that is so bizarre. If the tenants were intent on changing the locks, I wonder why they didn't just go to Home Depot buy a new lockset for the front door and replace it. Its a 1 hour job. Their more devious method seems more difficult and expensive.

And I wonder why they did it? Were they planning to squat? Or did they want to block landlord access during the tenancy? Answers not expected, just questions in my own mind.

Last edited by jimhoward; 04-14-2025 at 08:25 PM. Reason: typo
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Old 04-14-2025, 05:46 PM
rustyp rustyp is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123 View Post
Just to clarify, it is not their mailbox. It is the property of the U.S. Government.

I don't think Amazon will tell you what shipping method they will use, but you can have packages delivered to a nearby Amazon locker for you to pick up.
Well then there should be no problem. Correct? Renter call the post office and demand a key !
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Old 04-14-2025, 08:04 PM
Papa_lecki Papa_lecki is offline
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If its that important, find another place to rent, where you can use the mailbox
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