How To Receive Mail in Flats

Living in a multi-occupancy building is a practical option in British cities and towns. Yet there is one challenge that you often don’t consider until you move in. That is ‘How do I get my letters and parcel deliveries?’ You want to know that there is a safe and secure place to receive mail in flats, so what advice do we have to offer?

Letter and Parcel Delivery to Multi-occupancy Buildings

A single letterbox through the front door might work for a house, but it is insufficient for flats, high-rises and other multi-occupancy buildings. You’d have to root through a pile of letters and parcels to find those addressed to you. What’s more, anyone could decide that your packages look interesting and decide to keep hold of them.

Communal Letterboxes for Flats

For this reason, property managers typically provide communal letterboxes for flats. These can be external post boxes, which are wall mounted, free standing or through the wall at the front of the building. However, more often, they are located within the entrance foyer.

Internal blocks of letterboxes offer a higher level of security, as passers-by can’t just post their food wrappers and other unwanted items in. However, consideration has to be given to how the postie can get in. Some property managers will provide them with a key or access code. In other apartment blocks, a manned reception or concierge can buzz them in.

Typically, communal letterboxes have a flap the same size as a standard letterbox on a house, with a hold to store the mail until you next open up. They are great for letters, flyers and even small packages, but no use if you regularly have parcels delivered.

Parcel Delivery in Flats

When it comes to receiving parcels, there are several options. Ideally, your property manager has provided a large parcel drop box for residents. With a sizeable and secure hold, this central point offers storage until you can collect at the end of the day. Alternatively, the person at reception might take in larger deliveries, along with ‘signed for’ mail.

Unfortunately, when these provisions aren’t available, parcels are often left in communal areas. Not only does that put your deliveries at risk of being stolen, but it is also a safety hazard. A stack of parcels can block corridors, stairwells or doorways, which can hinder fire evacuation.

Alternative Options for Mail Delivery in Flats

If you have concerns about the safety and security of packages in your building, here are five alternatives to consider.

1. Use a local, secure parcel drop box as your delivery point. In Post is one example, but parcels do need to be retrieved within 3 days, so not ideal if you are away.
2. Put the delivery address as your work location – a good option, as long as your boss approves!
3. Ask a trusted friend, local shopkeeper or business hub if you can use their address for deliveries.
4. If you received a lot of parcels, you might consider applying for a PO Box, although there is an annual charge.
5. Only purchase from retailers that offer a click and collect option.

It is also worth speaking to the property manager to see if installing a communal parcel box is an option.

Our Advice for Property Managers

Installing external or internal letterboxes and parcel boxes in your apartment block benefits residents and helps to keep entrance areas tidy and safe.

We recommend keeping a spare key for each post box. This means that you have access if residents lose a key. All of our apartment post boxes are supplied with two keys as standard and we can provide replacements if required.

Our post boxes are designed to European standards, but occasionally a letter flap or lock is damaged by a resident. We can supply parts, so there is no need to replace the entire box.

We make up blocks of external and internal mailboxes for flats, to help you achieve the best fit for the available space. In addition, we can provide numbers for the boxes. And, we take pride in offering prompt and professional services.

“Very efficient, delivered as expected, no damage, no missing parts. Good quality, easy to affix and look well close together.”

“Back for more. First rate.”

If you would like to find out more, contact our helpful team on 01296 83940