I have one of those mailboxes that has like 40 of them together for the entire neighborhood. It’s about a shoe box side for each house. There are times where I just don’t check my mail for weeks (99% of it is junk mail). When the mail box is to full to put anymore the mailman leaves a note that I have to go to the post office to pick up my mail. Not sure why the postman just doesn’t do that.
Yeah I’m guessing maybe OP misunderstood the mail person in regards to their interaction. Based on what was said it doesn’t sound like the mail person was asking what to do, but was curious as to the situation. It has to be very common that mail boxes get full (or a mailbox is mix) and their is a protocol on how to handle it.
Post by cattledogkisses on Jan 16, 2024 18:12:31 GMT -5
USPS has procedures they're supposed to follow if they're unable to deliver mail.
At our old house we used to have an issue almost every winter with our mailbox being destroyed by a plow truck, and we'd always get a notice from USPS stating that they would not deliver mail until it was fixed.
I have one of those mailboxes that has like 40 of them together for the entire neighborhood. It’s about a shoe box side for each house. There are times where I just don’t check my mail for weeks (99% of it is junk mail). When the mail box is to full to put anymore the mailman leaves a note that I have to go to the post office to pick up my mail. Not sure why the postman just doesn’t do that.
Mine is similar and if it’s full, they’ll hold the mail for 10 days at the post office. After that, it’s getting returned.
FYI, you can sign up to get an email each day of what you’re getting in the mail from USPS. And you can also pay $4.99 for 10 years or something crazy to stop getting junk mail. It’s like the do not call list. I’ve noticed MUCH less junk mail lately!
I would maybe call 311 since the house seems empty and unattended.
But postal workers are just people and sometimes not great at their jobs. I had a truly bizarre situation years ago that involved my postal worker telling me that one of my neighbors was using my address to avoid a summons and that if one showed up addressed to him, I should throw it out.
I would not be surprised if the postal worker thought you’d either know what was going on (since you live close and mow his lawn) and/or be willing to go an extra mile and track someone down to take care of it. That doesn’t mean you have to do it though! He probably thought asking you would be faster/easier for him.
I have one of those mailboxes that has like 40 of them together for the entire neighborhood. It’s about a shoe box side for each house. There are times where I just don’t check my mail for weeks (99% of it is junk mail). When the mail box is to full to put anymore the mailman leaves a note that I have to go to the post office to pick up my mail. Not sure why the postman just doesn’t do that.
Mine is similar and if it’s full, they’ll hold the mail for 10 days at the post office. After that, it’s getting returned.
FYI, you can sign up to get an email each day of what you’re getting in the mail from USPS. And you can also pay $4.99 for 10 years or something crazy to stop getting junk mail. It’s like the do not call list. I’ve noticed MUCH less junk mail lately!
Do you have a link for this? I will gladly spend $5 to get less junk.
I’d be so curious/concerned, too, although I agree you have no actual obligation. I know you think he left, but are you positive that he didn’t die in the house? 😬 Maybe that would warrant some kind of wellness check, and maybe it’s worth reaching out to one of his old social media contacts before you try it. I will say if you call, I am not sure who would be on the hook for repairs to the property if they bust down the door (or try to, sounds like it would be tough with all the mail! ….maybe you…?).
When I okayed the police to enter my late aunt’s house they carefully went in through an unlocked kitchen window and I was really grateful they didn’t maim the door, as that would have brought me additional headaches at a time when I had none to spare. (The kitchen window is how I myself got in a few days later. 😵💫)
I know this isn't OP's question but I'm surprised by how many people would call a non-emergency number about an empty house* I would very much MYOB. You can give yourself/ your H permission to stop cutting the grass. If it gets too high you or someone else can contact your municipality's code enforcement to handle and they can go through proper channels to determine who is responsible for maintaining the property.
*Empty house meaning OP has a general idea of what happened to her neighbor, he isn't a missing person who may have met their demise in the house
Anecdote time- this is similar to a neighbor from our last house. She was an older divorced woman who was estranged from her son. She had unspecified mental health issues and declining physical/medical status. She would go from the hospital to nursing home for long periods of time- the mailman would catch on and put a hold on her mail until he noticed she was back.
Anyway, after this song and dance for a few years she declined even further. Her MH caseworker called for well checks a few times resulting in the police coming to our house to see when she was last seen, etc. Her PCP became her guardian and neighbor now lives in a nursing home. Her property was signed over to the NH for payment 4 years ago and it's been vacant ever since- I don't know of it's protocol that they can't or won't sell while she's alive but they seem to not be in a rush.
There is a window on the second floor that's been open for years so who only knows how much water damage/ mold/ etc is in that house now. They don't bother with lawn maintenance either, someone reports the county roughly twice a summer and they come mow and send a citation- which is cheaper than paying for routine lawn care.
I know this isn't OP's question but I'm surprised by how many people would call a non-emergency number about an empty house* I would very much MYOB. You can give yourself/ your H permission to stop cutting the grass. If it gets too high you or someone else can contact your municipality's code enforcement to handle and they can go through proper channels to determine who is responsible for maintaining the property.
*Empty house meaning OP has a general idea of what happened to her neighbor, he isn't a missing person who may have met their demise in the house
Idk, if the house next to me became vacant, mail piled up for months, no one keeping up the yard, etc. I’d call. Not everyone has people in their lives. It seems someone would need to know.
Ok douche, go ahead and call it mud. My husband DID have halitosis. We addressed it after I talked to you girls on here and guess what? Years later, no problem. Mofongo, you're a cunt. Eat shit. ~anonnamus
I know this isn't OP's question but I'm surprised by how many people would call a non-emergency number about an empty house* I would very much MYOB. You can give yourself/ your H permission to stop cutting the grass. If it gets too high you or someone else can contact your municipality's code enforcement to handle and they can go through proper channels to determine who is responsible for maintaining the property.
*Empty house meaning OP has a general idea of what happened to her neighbor, he isn't a missing person who may have met their demise in the house
Idk, if the house next to me became vacant, mail piled up for months, no one keeping up the yard, etc. I’d call. Not everyone has people in their lives. It seems someone would need to know.
If he were in a SNF he would have access to a social worker that could help him 😉. I guess my POV is that, because they are mowing, there is nothing reportable...yet. the mailman could report mail not getting picked up but there is nothing inherently "wrong" about having an empty property.
And if he's been go 15ish months my gut is he is no longer the owner of the property and the facility should be responsible which may be tracable through public records
Idk, if the house next to me became vacant, mail piled up for months, no one keeping up the yard, etc. I’d call. Not everyone has people in their lives. It seems someone would need to know.
If he were in a SNF he would have access to a social worker that could help him 😉. I guess my POV is that, because they are mowing, there is nothing reportable...yet. the mailman could report mail not getting picked up but there is nothing inherently "wrong" about having an empty property.
And if he's been go 15ish months my gut is he is no longer the owner of the property and the facility should be responsible which may be tracable through public records
It’s been since fall of ‘22, def not in a SNF, lol.
Ok douche, go ahead and call it mud. My husband DID have halitosis. We addressed it after I talked to you girls on here and guess what? Years later, no problem. Mofongo, you're a cunt. Eat shit. ~anonnamus
If he were in a SNF he would have access to a social worker that could help him 😉. I guess my POV is that, because they are mowing, there is nothing reportable...yet. the mailman could report mail not getting picked up but there is nothing inherently "wrong" about having an empty property.
And if he's been go 15ish months my gut is he is no longer the owner of the property and the facility should be responsible which may be tracable through public records
It’s been since fall of ‘22, def not in a SNF, lol.
You guys don't have long term residents?? Or do you just not call them snf at that point? Like county run places that short & long term needs? Clearly I jumped the shark here
Eta- when I worked casual at a snf they always just referred to it as short term vs long term (wing, hallway etc). They used "snf" for anyone is the facility regardlessof whether they were there for skilled care or not. Again, #regional terminology
It’s been since fall of ‘22, def not in a SNF, lol.
You guys don't have long term residents?? Or do you just not call them snf at that point? Like county run places that short & long term needs? Clearly I jumped the shark here
Well, SNF is a level of care, but it’s short term, you have to have medical qualifiers and be approved by your insurance. There are some stand alone SNF units and some in nursing homes. He could have moved to custodial care in a nursing home. But regardless I think it should be known that this person doesn’t live there, shouldn’t get mail there, etc. It doesn’t sound like he has a next of kin.
Ok douche, go ahead and call it mud. My husband DID have halitosis. We addressed it after I talked to you girls on here and guess what? Years later, no problem. Mofongo, you're a cunt. Eat shit. ~anonnamus
Idk, if the house next to me became vacant, mail piled up for months, no one keeping up the yard, etc. I’d call. Not everyone has people in their lives. It seems someone would need to know.
If he were in a SNF he would have access to a social worker that could help him 😉. I guess my POV is that, because they are mowing, there is nothing reportable...yet. the mailman could report mail not getting picked up but there is nothing inherently "wrong" about having an empty property.
And if he's been go 15ish months my gut is he is no longer the owner of the property and the facility should be responsible which may be traceable through public records
friend mentioned looking up the current tax assessment records in our town for the property, neighbor is the only one listed on the property.
when we moved in over a decade ago they lived there with their father, father died a a year or two later.
if the facility were to take ownership- wouldn't they sell it to get their money for his care?
Post by Leeham Rimes on Jan 17, 2024 7:54:06 GMT -5
Just worth a mention, just bc someone goes in to long term assisted living doesn’t mean their care facility gets their house. In many states a person’s homesteaded property is exempt from the Medicaid/Medicare spend down they must do for Medicaid/Medicare coverage. There are certain instances where they can put a lien on the house but there’s a lot of hoops to go through.
And I see someone mentioned that a social worker would be someone’s advocate and while I’m sure that’s the intent, that was not my family’s experience with my father. It was my moms full time job to figure out my fathers care and make sure that he was getting what was needed she hired two lawyers bc of the lack of help she was given while my father was in an SNF (which usually is only short term) and then transferred to a LCF. If not for her, I can absolutely see him falling through the cracks and dying earlier than he did bc of said cracks. I’m not knocking social workers by any means, but they have entirely too many people in their caseload to provide the kind of oversight that the sick and elderly people with no family may need.
If worrying about a neighbor’s general wellbeing and hoping they’re not dead and nobody knows that they’re dead falls under “myob” then I guess I’m a nosey Nelly and I proudly accept that.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
Just worth a mention, just bc someone goes in to long term assisted living doesn’t mean their care facility gets their house. In many states a person’s homesteaded property is exempt from the Medicaid/Medicare spend down they must do for Medicaid/Medicare coverage. There are certain instances where they can put a lien on the house but there’s a lot of hoops to go through.
And I see someone mentioned that a social worker would be someone’s advocate and while I’m sure that’s the intent, that was not my family’s experience with my father. It was my moms full time job to figure out my fathers care and make sure that he was getting what was needed she hired two lawyers bc of the lack of help she was given while my father was in an SNF (which usually is only short term) and then transferred to a LCF. If not for her, I can absolutely see him falling through the cracks and dying earlier than he did bc of said cracks. I’m not knocking social workers by any means, but they have entirely too many people in their caseload to provide the kind of oversight that the sick and elderly people with no family may need.
If worrying about a neighbor’s general wellbeing and hoping they’re not dead and nobody knows that they’re dead falls under “myob” then I guess I’m a nosey Nelly and I proudly accept that.
i don't believe in NY the property is exempt from the Medicaid/Medicare spenddown.
DH's grandparents have just been placed in nursing homes and they did not put their property in their children's names in time, so the property will go to the nursing homes to pay for their care.
my parents just added my brother and i to their property for this reason, and the names muse be on there for more than 5 years.
like i said neighbor has a sister, but her name wasn't on the town assessment record, neighbor has no children
Last Edit: Jan 17, 2024 8:29:13 GMT -5 by Leeham Rimes
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
USPS has procedures they're supposed to follow if they're unable to deliver mail.
At our old house we used to have an issue almost every winter with our mailbox being destroyed by a plow truck, and we'd always get a notice from USPS stating that they would not deliver mail until it was fixed.
Well this was timely, because a plow took out our mailbox again last night. I expect in a day or two we’ll get a notice saying they’re holding our mail until it’s fixed. Sigh.
If he were in a SNF he would have access to a social worker that could help him 😉. I guess my POV is that, because they are mowing, there is nothing reportable...yet. the mailman could report mail not getting picked up but there is nothing inherently "wrong" about having an empty property.
And if he's been go 15ish months my gut is he is no longer the owner of the property and the facility should be responsible which may be traceable through public records
friend mentioned looking up the current tax assessment records in our town for the property, neighbor is the only one listed on the property.
when we moved in over a decade ago they lived there with their father, father died a a year or two later.
if the facility were to take ownership- wouldn't they sell it to get their money for his care?
In my whooping sample size of 2- they didn't sell the property until the person passed for whatever reason. I'm not sure when/if tax assessment info was updated
If worrying about a neighbor’s general wellbeing and hoping they’re not dead and nobody knows that they’re dead falls under “myob” then I guess I’m a nosey Nelly and I proudly accept that.
Fair. I guess being so far removed from when he left threw me off. It's not like he's only been missing for a month or so. They know he had a stroke. Other neighbor knew he was in a facility. He's been accounted for. I guess I don't know what calling a non-emergency line could accomplish?
If worrying about a neighbor’s general wellbeing and hoping they’re not dead and nobody knows that they’re dead falls under “myob” then I guess I’m a nosey Nelly and I proudly accept that.
Fair. I guess being so far removed from when he left threw me off. It's not like he's only been missing for a month or so. They know he had a stroke. Other neighbor knew he was in a facility. He's been accounted for. I guess I don't know what calling a non-emergency line could accomplish?
On the off chance he was released and is there dead, it would probably take care of that.
Vacant properties normally go on a list and the owners tracked down so who ever owns it or should be taking care of it are notified that they supposed to continue doing the maintenance or sell it. The town can also secure the property to discourage theft and squatters. They can stop the mail. If no one owns it or takes responsibility they will probably auction it off eventually.
I’d be so curious/concerned, too, although I agree you have no actual obligation. I know you think he left, but are you positive that he didn’t die in the house? 😬 Maybe that would warrant some kind of wellness check, and maybe it’s worth reaching out to one of his old social media contacts before you try it. I will say if you call, I am not sure who would be on the hook for repairs to the property if they bust down the door (or try to, sounds like it would be tough with all the mail! ….maybe you…?).
When I okayed the police to enter my late aunt’s house they carefully went in through an unlocked kitchen window and I was really grateful they didn’t maim the door, as that would have brought me additional headaches at a time when I had none to spare. (The kitchen window is how I myself got in a few days later. 😵💫)
ha ha no, they aren't in the house (dead or alive) they did reach out to the neighbor on the other side to let them know they had had a massive stroke and would not be returning ever. checking over their social media posts there were postings while they have gone, but none since august, and there have been gaps over the last 15 months too. could be incapacitated now.
DH will continue to mow the lawn- bad enough the house directly across the street is a pigsty and people actually live there- we don't want the house next to ours looking unkempt too. neighbor on the other side actually gave us a nice gift card for a local restaurant to taking care of the lawn over the summer.
we don't handle the snow and the mailman actually commented on the leaves from the neighbors tree that had accumulated on their front porch in front of the storm door which they have to open to get to the mail slot- and i told him the leaves weren't my problem
I agree that I don't think the mail carrier is making this your problem, and was just wondering if you had any information or could get a message to whoever might be caring for the house. Since you don't, I don't think you have to do anything more. If you're generally concerned about the upkeep of the house, I'd maybe call 211 and see what they suggest. But I don't think the fact that USPS can't deliver the mail is the biggest issue with an unoccupied/unmaintained house, so I wouldn't feel compelled to do something just because the mail carrier asked you a question about it.
Post by ellipses84 on Jan 17, 2024 12:21:24 GMT -5
While I don’t think the mail is your problem, since your DH has maintained the yard, I think you need to try to call the care facility he is at and let them know. If he truly has nobody involved, there’s a chance nobody is paying taxes on the house and it could be taken by the city and sent to auction. Typically an overgrown yard or stacked up mail would be a noticeable reason for authorities to check on the situation. If you call your non-emergency police line, they may be able to locate him if you can’t or let you know who to contact. The care facility may have a lawyer or relative contact and may be able to change his address with the post office.
While I don’t think the mail is your problem, since your DH has maintained the yard, I think you need to try to call the care facility he is at and let them know. If he truly has nobody involved, there’s a chance nobody is paying taxes on the house and it could be taken by the city and sent to auction. Typically an overgrown yard or stacked up mail would be a noticeable reason for authorities to check on the situation. If you call your non-emergency police line, they may be able to locate him if you can’t or let you know who to contact. The care facility may have a lawyer or relative contact and may be able to change his address with the post office.
we did just get our tax bill, i assume his is in 'the slot is full' pile, perhaps the one that came in November is in the 3+foot pile?
the lights are on. in fact, the assisted living ladies turned the foyer light on (where the mail pile is) the day they were there (last year-ish) and left it on. so is the electric bill is getting paid?
While I don’t think the mail is your problem, since your DH has maintained the yard, I think you need to try to call the care facility he is at and let them know. If he truly has nobody involved, there’s a chance nobody is paying taxes on the house and it could be taken by the city and sent to auction. Typically an overgrown yard or stacked up mail would be a noticeable reason for authorities to check on the situation. If you call your non-emergency police line, they may be able to locate him if you can’t or let you know who to contact. The care facility may have a lawyer or relative contact and may be able to change his address with the post office.
we did just get our tax bill, i assume his is in 'the slot is full' pile, perhaps the one that came in November is in the 3+foot pile?
the lights are on. in fact, the assisted living ladies turned the foyer light on (where the mail pile is) the day they were there (last year-ish) and left it on. so is the electric bill is getting paid?
The day the light goes out you are going to wonder... did someone go inside and turn it off? Did the electric company cut them off? Or did the bulb simply die?
A few things for clarity. Assisted living is usually 100% out of pocket, some can be very nice! There’s even independent and you can later transition to assisted at most. Your house/assets/income is not affected. Nursing home placement is different. They do get your monthly SS check, etc. They don’t take house, at least not here in La, but we could not rent, or sell it while my grandma was in the nursing home, until after she passed.
Ok douche, go ahead and call it mud. My husband DID have halitosis. We addressed it after I talked to you girls on here and guess what? Years later, no problem. Mofongo, you're a cunt. Eat shit. ~anonnamus
I agree that this isn’t your problem. It’s nice of the mail person to be concerned, but surely they have a process for this, and that process has nothing to do with you. Cant they just return to sender as “undeliverable”?
You could call the local council on aging if you feel like you want to do something.
Yes I was going to say, don't undeliverable items get returned to sender?
Mine is similar and if it’s full, they’ll hold the mail for 10 days at the post office. After that, it’s getting returned.
FYI, you can sign up to get an email each day of what you’re getting in the mail from USPS. And you can also pay $4.99 for 10 years or something crazy to stop getting junk mail. It’s like the do not call list. I’ve noticed MUCH less junk mail lately!
Do you have a link for this? I will gladly spend $5 to get less junk.
Sorry, I should have put that in there first. Thank you minzy!!
I was hesitant at first because it looks so random, but the official USPS site does recommend and link to it. And I can attest to it working. I haven’t even gotten an email since last week, so no mail!