Removing a mailbox lock yourself will save you money from having to hire an expensive locksmith to remove it for you. A mailbox lock is usually found near condominiums or an apartment complex. Many mailboxes will be connected together in a large metal box, for easy postal worker access. Mailbox locks are privately owned. The most common reason to remove a mailbox lock is when a new resident moves in and does not have access to the old key. Removal of the lock will only take a few minutes of your time.
Step 1
Open the mailbox lock with your key. If you do not have a key, then catch the postal worker while he is delivering mail. Show proof of residency, such as a lease, and he will let you access the back of the mailbox.
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Step 2
Use pliers to remove the U-shaped pin on the back of the lock that keeps it in place. The pin will slide up out of the way.
Step 3
Pull the the entire lock out of the front of the mailbox opening.
Tip
Hire a locksmith to remove the mailbox lock if you are unable to do so yourself.
New mailbox locks can be purchased at home improvement retail stores for a few dollars.
If you have lost your mailbox key, show proof of residency to the mail carrier, and she will let you write down the key code for the lock. This can be viewed using a mirror and flashlight pointed at the back of the lock. Give the code to a locksmith to make a new key. This is cheaper than removing and replacing the entire lock.
Ensure that removing a mailbox lock doesn't violate your lease.
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