Is it against the law to not give a roommate a copy of the mailbox key if they pay rent but are not on the lease? I will give them the mail ...

Question

Is it against the law to not give a roommate a copy of the mailbox key if they pay rent but are not on the lease? I will give them the mail if any is sent to my address, I just don't want everyone having a key for security purposes.

Answer

"Against the law" as in the police will come and someone will get arrested? No. This is not a legal issue - or shouldn't be. What it is is a very bad sign for two people living together. Why would ether of you live with the other when you can trust them to have a mailbox key? In addition, is this arrangement allowed in the lease? If you can't trust someone with a key, don't live with them. If you are the one who is being denied a key, move out and don't live with someone who does not trust you.