Can you refuse to take in a neighbour's parcel in the UK?

[POSTMAN]

https://www.sudburymercury.co.uk/news/n ... parcel-uk/

There are hundreds of age-old debates when it comes to neighbours, whether it be from a more personal opinion or a legal standpoint.

Now, with social media becoming the number one place people go to vent, the list of neighbours and debates seems to be ever-growing.

From the modern debacle of what time of night you should keep the noise down to how tall your garden fence can be.

Many of these discussions do have legal answers; however, there are some which seem to be down to personal preference and common courtesy.

That includes the slightly sensitive subject of whether you can refuse to take in a neighbour's parcel.

Can you refuse to take in your neighbour's parcel?

Whether you're generally not a fan of your neighbour or if you feel like their personal postman with their never-ending packages, you do have a say.

Whilst there is no legal standpoint, you do have the right to refuse to take in the item.

Some postal services do state they will find a safe space, which can be with neighbours; however, you can still say no, and they will find another neighbour or safe space for the parcel.

If you are in a situation where your neighbour may have put your address down as a safe space without asking, you can then discuss the matter with the neighbour and ask them to change it.

However, if they refuse to do so, you then have the right to not take in the parcels and inform the postal worker so they are aware for the future.

Whilst you may have to discuss with postal workers for some services, the Royal Mail does offer a neighbour opt-out scheme.

It has an online form available to everyone, the 'Delivery to neighbour opt-out form'...
https://www.royalmail.com/personal/rece ... %20visible.

On the form, you will be asked to fill in your details, including names and addresses as well as information on why you would not like to receive the parcel.

The Royal Mail will then send you an opt-out sticker to be displayed near your letterbox or somewhere clearly visible.

You can also contact other popular postal services to discuss this matter.

[Mr Rush]

Whilst there is no legal standpoint, you do have the right to refuse to take in the item.

Did you know if someone breaks into your house you legally must make them dinner?

Who is standing on their doorstep quivering at the thought of the law coming down on them for refusing to take a packet? Only under a system of governance where everything is implicitly forbidden unless explicitly permitted, or under the perception that such a tyrranical system is in place would someone think that. We used to live by the Anglo-Scottish tradition of rights being divinely conferred and the state had to accept the lesser role of being a just enabler of those rights, whereas now it seems certain continental modes of governance have come to pervade the world.

[fb1969]

Whilst there is no legal standpoint, you do have the right to refuse to take in the item.

If you have "the right" then that is a legal standpoint! Typical standard of journalism today.

[hans solo]

You should be paid by the delivery company for taking in neighbours parcels

[Mick100]

Stupid question of course you can refuse

[Hyrrokkin]

Ridiculous story - of course you do not have to take any neighbour's parcel !

[yubin282]

Do the idiots really need this explained to them.

[TopperGas]

I've never come across an RM "opt out" sticker, do they even send them out?

[ted_e_bear]

I've never come across an RM "opt out" sticker, do they even send them out?

Yes they did when they first started allowing us to deliver items to neighbours, can't remember how long ago that was, about 10 years ?

[woodpecker]

Quite a few opt out stickers around here!

[Mr Rush]

I've never come across an RM "opt out" sticker, do they even send them out?

When DTN was first rolled out circa a decade ago we sent out material that included opt-out stickers. It only takes a few years exposed to the elements before there's nothing of the sticker left. Last time I saw one legible was before the pandemic.

[SkiSunday]

I've never come across an RM "opt out" sticker, do they even send them out?

When DTN was first rolled out circa a decade ago we sent out material that included opt-out stickers. It only takes a few years exposed to the elements before there's nothing of the sticker left. Last time I saw one legible was before the pandemic.

I remember them, funny how RM offered the opt out rather than opt in option. Just shows how long they have been chasing the Amazon model of staff just door stepping everything, then clawing back the losses.

The laughable thing about DTN originally was you could just blame the neighbour for any door steps back then..