Can my apartment complex have my packages redirected to the office?

[vyfxdotcom]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey

I live in an apartment community in Central NJ and my landlord recently sent out an email stating that ALL packages (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.) would be redirected to the management office instead of being delivered to our apartment homes. Letters are still delivered to our mailbox, but packages are not.

My question is whether this is legal in NJ or not.. the problem is that our office (a) closes randomly, and (b) when they are open for the day, they close at 5:00pm so it is difficult to make it in time to get my package(s).

Most recently I had an item valued at $10,000 sent via FedEx Priority Overnight, and I opted to have a direct signature required from somebody at my residence. However, due to this new policy, the package was instead delivered to the office and signed for by one of the leasing agents. It was NOT delivered to my address, which to me is a MAJOR issue. When I went to pick up my package after tracking it on FedEx, the office had closed early for the day and I am now out of my package until tomorrow.. assuming it's there.

Nowhere in my lease is there a clause for this. Is there even any recourse if the package is missing? FedEx will claim it was delivered and signed for, but it wasn't delivered to my home address.

Thanks

 

[NIV]

Before going too far down the rabbit hole of maybe and things like that, is your apartment complex secured in any way? I mean, can the UPS guy go directly to your apartment without having to go through any locked doors or through a monitored lobby?

If so, I bet the answer will be complex with the end result that you won't want pay the costs to litigate the issue. If not, yes and no.

Yes from the point of view of the complex. They can secure the premises reasonably and can refuse to let anyone in who is not specifically approved. They can probably refuse to let in any delivery services if they so choose. The reasonable argument would be there are a LOT of reports of crimes committed by phony delivery people, even when well dressed in official uniforms. Search for something like --robbery fake UPS-- and find many links. They have no duty to make your life easier while risking the safety of other renters.

The "no" has to do with the delivery service. They don't have to accept the "redirection" to the office, they can just say it is undeliverable and deal with it according to their terms. They won't because they want to complete the paid for service. But, they would not be legally required to deliver it to a place different from the shipping address just because apartment management directed them there.

 

[FlyingRon]

I have a suggestion. PMB (Postal Annex, UPS Store, Mailbox place). I get my packages for common carriers delivered to the my PMB (well they don't actually fit in the box). THis is because most of my shipments are wine which require an adult signature and I'm not always home when the deliver occurs and I'd rather they sit inside the store than bounce around an overheated FEDEX truck for another day.

 

[adjusterjack]

I opted to have a direct signature required from somebody at my residence.

But not restricted delivery to you personally?

"Somebody at your residence" could easily be construed as being somebody at the management office.

Next time restrict delivery to yourself so if the deliverer can't get your signature a notice will be left for you to pick up your package at the facility of the delivery service.

Nowhere in my lease is there a clause for this.

Maybe not, but I'm sure that there is something in it about the apartment building's rules and the ability of the management to make and enforce rules.

Is there even any recourse if the package is missing? FedEx will claim it was delivered and signed for, but it wasn't delivered to my home address.

FedEx could be liable if it didn't comply with restricted delivery to you personally, but not if it delivered it to somebody it your residence which includes the management office.

But, as NIV notes, you wouldn't want the cost or the hassle of litigating a loss of an expensive package so, if you do this regularly, make more secure arrangements. Your choice. Self preservation is nobody's business but your own.