While delivery boxes improve convenience for residents, there are also multiple trouble scenarios that management personnel should understand. Identifying the risks before installation and establishing appropriate rules and an installation plan will help maintain management quality.
What kinds of trouble can arise with delivery boxes?
This section explains five major trouble scenarios that can occur in both apartment buildings and detached houses.
Risk of theft and stealing
Delivery boxes are locked with a PIN, but they cannot be considered completely secure. If a missed-delivery notice is placed in an unlocked mailbox, a third party may obtain the PIN and unlock the box.There have also been cases in which the entire delivery box was taken away or damaged so that parcels could be removed. Anchoring the box in place and installing security cameras are effective countermeasures.
PIN-related trouble
Trouble caused by PINs is the most common category, including residents forgetting the PIN, delivery personnel making input mistakes, and lockouts caused by repeated entries.As a property management company, it is important to clearly communicate the procedures and contact system for forced unlocking to residents.
Misdelivery is hard to notice
With hand delivery, recipients can notice a misdelivery at the time of receipt, but when a parcel is placed in a delivery box, it may be left for a long time and the issue may only be discovered later.In apartment buildings, multiple units may share the same boxes, creating an environment where mistaken deliveries caused by room-number input errors are more likely to occur. If the management company handles forced unlocking, explanations to residents before and after the action are essential.
Cases where the parcel is not inside or is taken away
If there is a missed-delivery notice but no parcel inside, it may be because the delivery driver does not know where the delivery box is located, and there have also been reported cases in which another resident takes it away by mistake.Sharing the box location with delivery companies and informing residents of the usage rules help prevent these issues.
Accidents in which children become trapped inside
The Tokyo Fire Department has also reported accidents in which children climbed into large delivery boxes, the lock engaged, and they were unable to get out. This is especially dangerous when boxes are installed in places that are difficult for others to see, and it also carries a life-threatening risk of heatstroke.Warning children and reviewing the installation location are part of management's responsibility.
Why are delivery boxes still necessary?
Although there are risks of trouble, delivery boxes are essential equipment in modern rental property management. The greatest benefit, allowing residents to go out without worrying about delivery times, directly affects resident satisfaction and a property's competitiveness.They also help reduce redelivery attempts, which in turn lightens the burden on delivery drivers.
Responding to the need for contactless receipt
The need to avoid face-to-face receipt has become firmly established in society.With a delivery box, unlike leaving parcels at the door, the item is placed in a locked box, which reduces the risk of theft.
Guidelines for installation and operation of delivery boxes by property management companies
To prevent resident trouble, please implement the following measures before and after installation.
- Before installation: Confirm security specifications (anchor fixation and whether cameras are linked) and select the installation location (a place that is easy for delivery personnel to spot)
- At move-in: Provide written usage rules (PIN management, misdelivery response, and contact information in the event of lockout)
- Routine management: Check the condition of the boxes during regular patrol inspections and clean them
- When trouble occurs: Establish procedures for forced unlocking and an explanation system for residents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How much does it cost to install delivery boxes?
A. As a guideline, electrically locked models cost around JPY 100,000 to 200,000 per unit. The amount varies depending on the number of units installed and the functions included (such as IC card compatibility and camera linkage). We recommend estimating cost-effectiveness as an investment in resident satisfaction.
Q. What should be done if the delivery boxes are full?
A. The delivery company will either hand the parcel over directly or cancel the delivery. As a property management company, it is important to inform both residents and delivery companies of the rules to follow when the boxes are full (take-back and redelivery).
Q. How often is maintenance required for delivery boxes?
A. As a guideline, operation checks and cleaning for the electric lock should be carried out once a month, and battery replacement and inspections should be performed once every six months to one year. Include these items in your management schedule so they are completed without omission.
Q. What specific measures can prevent child entrapment accidents?
A. The most reliable measure is to choose delivery boxes equipped with an internal release mechanism that allows them to be opened from the inside as well. It is also effective to choose products of a size that children cannot enter (with opening dimensions of 30 cm or less in both height and width).
