Without Cluster Mailboxes, Homebuilders Blame the USPS After Bermuda Lakes Homes in Meridianville Stopped Getting Mail

Breland Homes is displeased that the USPS didn't inform them to install a cluster mailbox in the Bermuda Lakes subdivision in Meridianville, AL. Homeowners and renters stopped getting their mail, and blame Breland Homes, while Breland Homes says the United States Postal Service didn't tell them to install a Cluster Mailbox unit. Who's to blame?

Cluster mailboxesThe U.S. National Archives (public domain)

One homebuilder in North Alabama is dealing with a “cluster headache” after not following through with the 2018 mandate that affects United States Postal Service (USPS) mail delivery to new homes.

North Alabama residents wanting to buy a new home, especially in new subdivisions, are affected by this mandate and should consider this when buying a home in a new subdivision.

The USPS mandates that newly constructed subdivisions (i.e. new delivery points) are required to have cluster box units (cbu), or "cluster mailboxes" installed rather than individual mailboxes at each home, to ease the burden on the USPS.

This is not a new mandate, and homebuilders are acting like the USPS postmaster should notify them individually for each subdivision, when it is crystal clear that they need to go ahead and plan on installing cluster mailboxes for all new delivery points. More will be shared on what the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) thinks of this mandate in a moment.

First, WHNT News 19 looked into why one new subdivision in Meridianville, AL stopped receiving its mail completely.

Why the Bermuda Lakes Subdivision Stopped Receiving Their Mail

WHNT News 19 reported that residents in the Bermuda Lakes subdivision in Meridianville, AL stopped receiving their mail, stating "homeowners and renters began blaming the homebuilder for not notifying them that they needed a cluster mailbox." Their homebuilder is Breland Homes.

WHNT News 19 talked to Joey Ceci of Breland Companies about this incident. He told News 19 investigators that "they were left in the dark by the postmaster."

He explained:

“The process really was just to build it and at some point, or the postmaster will either ask you to do it or they don’t.” -Joey Ceci, Breland Companies spokesperson (Source: WHNT News 19)

He also shared that when a homebuilder plans for it on the front end, it works out the best, stating:

“If you plan for it on the front end of the deal as to whether you like those cluster mailboxes or not, at least you can do it in the best way possible for the community.” -Joey Ceci, Breland Companies spokesperson (Source: WHNT News 19)

When WHNT News 19 asked the post office about the Bermuda Lakes mail delivery issue, they informed WHNT News 19 that they had “explained the new cluster mailbox mandate to the community.”

It sounds like one big blame game, but the USPS has made it clear what its expectations are.

In general, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) seems to not be favorable to the idea of installing a cluster mailbox unit in every new subdivision.

Read their "concerns" and details about the USPS mandate below.

The National Association of Home Builders Explains the Mandate

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) states on its website the following explanation of the mandate:

“In an effort to reduce delivery costs, the USPS in 2012 revised the Postal Operations Manual (POM) to include an expressed preference for centralized mail delivery as the preferred delivery mode for new addresses.

In 2018, USPS revised the POM again, replacing the preference for centralized delivery with an explicit statement that curbside, sidewalk delivery and door delivery modes are generally not available for new delivery points. The USPS, in its sole discretion, can determine very rare exceptions to this policy, on a case-by-case basis.”

The website goes on to explain that, “in many cases the USPS has failed to adequately notify developers, engineers, surveyors, planning and zoning administrators, home owners (sic), or home owners (sic) associations of this change in policy, thus necessitating the redesign of subdivisions that have already been approved or are under construction.”

The NAHB stresses that “USPS customers don’t like and don’t want this change. People want their mail delivered to their home.” This is their opinion on the issue.

The NAHB is transparent that “centralized delivery” to cluster mailboxes can be problematic for homebuilder projects that are already underway and have not been properly planned for installing cluster mailboxes.

(Source: NAHB.org)

After reading the opinion of the NAHB on the matter, learn why the USPS prefers cluster mailbox units for new delivery points, the advantages of the cluster mailbox units, and

Why the USPS Prefers Cluster Mailbox Units

Budget Mailboxes — a website where all types of mailboxes can be purchased — explains why the United States Postal Service prefers the installation of cluster mailboxes for new subdivisions.

In simplest terms, having a cluster mailbox unit can save the USPS time and money in delivering mail to a subdivision of homes.

Here are some of the advantages of cluster mailboxes:

• They can improve curb appeal in neighborhoods
• They can add greater convenience for postal carriers and residents
• They can provide greater security being behind a locked door

(Source: Budget Mailboxes)

USPS Regulations for Cluster Mailboxes

Budget Mailboxes points out regulations that the USPS follows with cluster mailboxes:

• “The USPS prohibits carriers from accepting keys to open private mailboxes.
• The property developer, owner, or manager is responsible for providing customers with their tenant keys to access their mailboxes.
• The USPS will provide the master Arrow lock to unlock the postal mailbox door to make the delivery. The US Postal Service does not offer these locks to builders to preinstall.
• Builders must install the mailbox in a USPS-approved location to ensure that it is close enough to the customers and a suitable place for USPS delivery.
• Customers with disabilities should also be able to access the CBU conveniently.”

(Source: Budget Mailboxes)

Final Thoughts on Cluster Mailboxes and the 'Blame Game'

In summary, homebuilders are not happy with the idea of installing a cluster mailbox. It costs more money to them. They are and always have been about cutting costs, and we have all heard stories from friends and neighbors about how they like to cut costs.

Homebuilders, like Breland Homes, which built the Bermuda Lakes subdivision, have attempted to shift the blame to the USPS for not saying anything or notifying them that a cluster mailbox unit was required. By now, it should be an understood fact to plan one in every newly built neighborhood and this detail should be made clear to prospective homebuyers.

Homebuilders in North Alabama should not wait on the USPS any longer for guidance on a 2018 mandate. It's time to be accountable and stop playing the blame game.

Homebuyers and renters in subdivisions should not have to experience the issue of not receiving mail because a homebuilder has not complied with a uniform mandate to install a cluster mailbox unit.

Here's an idea: Homebuilders should take the initiative to do what is right because they know it is the right thing to do, and they will gain loyal lifetime customers.

Sources

Budget Mailboxes. “USPS Cluster Mailbox Regulations — Everything You Need To Know.” Budget Mailboxes. 24 June 2020.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB.org) official website. “Cluster Mailboxes” page.

Snowden, Archie. “Homebuilders, realtors frustrated by cluster mailbox policy.” WHNT News 19. 25 October 2022.