Beneath the surface of punctual rent and easy coexistence lies a growing tension fueled by unchecked habits and unspoken boundaries. The landlord’s patience is tested daily, caught between kindness and frustration, as the weight of too many packages becomes a symbol of a deeper, unspoken struggle.
I have a rental unit in my home, a daylight basement with a separate entrance. I share my mailbox with my tenants, and until recently, I never had issues with mail or deliveries. About seven months ago, I rented to a couple in their mid-forties.
She’s a substitute teacher out all day, and he’s “retired” and home during the day.
Generally, they’re great tenants—rent is always on time, and they’re easy to live with. However, she’s a shopaholic, constantly ordering packages.
I don’t mind occasional deliveries, but the sheer volume has become overwhelming.
I frequently order from Amazon and other sites. I have deliveries sent to my garage and notifications set up.
I also work from home so I can retrieve packages quickly if drivers miss instructions. So far, no issues and I’ve never had any porch pirates.
When the tenants moved in, they went on an extended overseas vacation, saying they’d have “a few packages” shipped back.
I agreed, but soon became inundated with over 20 large boxes, some weighing 30-40 pounds. I schlepped them to my garage until they returned. I brushed it off, thinking it was a one-time thing.
Then they went on a two-week cruise, and more packages arrived.
Since then, deliveries haven’t slowed down. I asked them to set up delivery instructions to the garage and notifications, the same as I did.
I made it clear that I don’t want my porch to become a target for thieves, especially since my house faces the main road. Despite this, packages were still left on my porch.
Again, I spoke to her, and suggested she rent a mailbox at a nearby postal store, but she said it was too expensive and inconvenient with her schedule.
Amazon Lockers don’t work since she orders from other sites. She did agree to have packages sent to her sister’s during vacations, but this doesn’t address the daily issue.
Packages keep coming to my porch, so I must move them to the garage and text them each time, sometimes 3 or 4 times a day.
It’s become a huge PITA, as I have a ruptured disk in my back, which she is aware. I’ve nearly tripped over boxes just opening the door to leave the house. Two weeks ago, there were two huge boxes taking up my whole porch.
I swear, I’ve had to fight the urge to NOT punt the damn things off the porch and I don’t want to bust my foot LOL.
I’m usually easygoing, but I’m fed up with being the “middle man” for her “shopping sprees,” as she jokes and I feel it is very inconsiderate.
I don’t want to seem like a nitpicky, b*tch, especially since I already had to address parking issues when they first moved in.
I made it clear when I interviewed them that we’d need to respect each other’s space due to our unique shared living circumstances, yet they seem oblivious.
They’re on a month-to-month lease, and I’m considering raising the rent for the extra hassle or banning deliveries entirely.
Conclusion
The original poster (OP) is clearly frustrated, feeling taken advantage of due to the excessive volume of packages delivered to their shared mailbox area, which is now creating a physical hazard and significant inconvenience, especially given their back injury. The central conflict lies between the OP’s reasonable request for boundary respect and the tenant’s persistent, convenient shopping habits that disregard the landlord’s living space and physical limitations.
Is the OP justified in feeling their tenant is being inconsiderate and rude given the ongoing, unaddressed delivery issue, or would actions such as raising the rent or banning deliveries be an overreaction to a minor inconvenience? The debate centers on whether the tenant’s behavior constitutes a lease violation or merely poor etiquette within a shared living arrangement.
Here’s how people reacted:
It is pretty normal (at least the several states where I have lived in the US) to share a mailbox if renting a room or basement apartment in a private home. It wouldn’t be a completely separate address because it isn’t legally subdivided like a duplex is. Same thing would be the case if you lived in an apartment with a roommate, you don’t generally get separate mailboxes.
Either way – OP I would either tell them you plan to amend the lease concerning packages in 60 days or give them 60+ days’ notice that you will not be renewing their month to month. Then when you do your new lease agreement ensure you put something in there concerning packages and where they should be delivered. If they have a separate entrance just have them delivered there. If it is shared, tell them to use the garage as well.
Honestly though if delivery drivers there are anything like they are here it won’t matter. Amazon listens pretty well, but FedEx is just as liable to toss it in the road as they speed by, and UPS isn’t much better. USPS you won’t ever get it delivered anyhow so no worries there lol.
You probably can’t force these tenants to use it, but offering to pay for it might help.
You probably can’t raise the rent on these tenants either.
But for the next lease, you can increase the rent to cover the PO box, and add a stipulation they must have all mail, or at least packages sent there.
Although I don’t know that I’d rent a place with that stipulation. It would be really inconvenient. But maybe there is a PO box near you?
If it were me I’d add that stipulation to the future lease, then explain it when you show the unit. Let them know you won’t enforce it, but youve had issues in the past and may enforce it if they give you similar issues.
But mostly, suck it up and adjust the lease in the future. Being a landlord is not easy, especially if you have a non standard unit. Things like this happen and you just have to learn from them and adjust the lease in the future. A lot of trial and error.
You don’t want to carry packages – don’t. Make some very firm rules about it. You will not touch their packages and will not protect them. And will not be responsible for them being stolen. If packages aren’t picked up within a day of delivery – you will get rid of them. It doesn’t matter if they are away – they will have to phone a friend or something. Make your tenants 100% responsible for that and the inconvenience of it might just affect the volume they choose to get.
Stop worrying about it. The transition may not be pretty, but create every simple clear rules and stick to them like as robot.
But frankly it sounds like they are running a business with this volume, especially with the overseas trips. You may want to consider this side of the liability.
Or you could just leave them where they’re delivered until they pick them up. If they get stolen that’s on them. People get stuff delivered, heck I try to order as much as I can so I don’t have to go to the store. The volume may be annoying you, but you have no obligation to pick up their packages for them, and if they already agreed to have deliveries sent to family when they’re on trips, I really don’t see what the problem is.
If they go out of town or anything tell them it’s their responsibility to have packages delivered accordingly and that you are not responsible for their mail. Do not move them to the garage but to their door.
Put up a sign stating ” all packages for so n so need to be delivered to the side entrance”
It is not your responsibility to ensure it’s safety
I think your idea of raising the rent (to charge for the extra service) is the best way to go.
You are somewhat the asshole, this is the sort of thing that needs to be resolved beforehand in the least. At least you know for next time. My concern is that you’re going to be left with a hoarded unit.
Tell them to get the deliveries made to the garage, or evict them. They are rude.
Soft YTA.
They are being rude, that I agree. It would be easy to set up mail to being sent to the garage.
Go ahead and raise the rent by the legal limit with enough notice.
And why do you share a mailbox?
NTA
Not your circus
Not your monkeys