Hey,

There is a big problem with the mailbox of my rented apartment: It's a big panel with maybe 24 boxes, each with individual locks, and a master lock to open the whole segment. A couple of weeks ago, the box was broken into, destroying the master lock.
Since then USPS has stopped delivering mail. The apartment manager informed us that it would take two weeks to fix the mailbox and that we have to pick up our mail at the post office. So I went to the post office once, and strangely they resumed delivering mail to the still broken mailbox thereafter. But after a week or so, the box was taped shut, so that no one could access it anymore. Another memo from the apartment manager said that the custom made mailbox would take four to five weeks to install because of a supplier shortage. I went to the post office to pick up mail today, but after 20 minutes of waiting they informed me that they could not find my mail because "it's all mixed up". They will deliver it when the mailbox is fixed. When I said that this would take four weeks, I just got a shrug and a blank stare from the post office employee, and I just left for work, very angrily.
So now I put together a letter to the apartment manager, demanding compensation for this major inconvenience. Maybe someone knows if there is a legal requirement for a landlord to provide a proper mailbox, compliant with USPS regulations? Maybe a federal law, like for running water? Can I reduce or withhold my rent? I don't want to get hit with late charges... Is this a reason to terminate the lease early, without penalties? I'm 3 months into a 11 month lease.

Thanks,
Lars

It wouldn't be federal law; it would be state law. Generally the implied warranty of habitability covers things like running water, heat, garbage removal, etc. It would generally not cover something like a broken mailbox which doesn't make your apartment uninhabitable.

Try:

http://law.onecle.com/california/civil/1941.1.html

Note that even under the categories that fall under the warranty of habitability, 30 days is presumed to be a reasonable amount of time to make repairs. It sounds like your landlord is on top of this. What more can they do?

What you can do is have USPS hold your mail for pickup once a week. They should be able to set it aside for you, segregated from your neighbors' mail. You can even pay them a few bucks to mail it to your work address once a week:

http://www.usps.com/receive/premiumforw ... elcome.htm

What I now did was having my mail forwarded to the leasing office as they suggested. But I've heard that it takes up to two weeks to process this? And that still means I won't get the mail that's "mixed up" at the post office now.
I'll still write that mail to the manager, maybe he's kind enough to give me a discount or something. Grrr.