We manage units for short term rent with lockboxes in unlocked letterboxes — does the Executive Committee have authority to remove them?

Many Owners Corporations within Canberra have swipe systems or other security systems in place to help prevent unwanted people from getting into the complex.

Lockboxes are notorious for being broken into with the contents being used to gain access into the complex, along with the unit that the keys are for.

Much like finding a set of keys on the street, an unsecured lockbox can present a security concern for many Owners Corporations. While you state that the lockbox is unable to be removed from the letterbox, this may encourage some people to cause damage to the letterbox bank to try and remove the lockbox to get to the keys.

Many highrise Owners Corporations within Canberra have a rule to state that letterboxes must be locked at all times, as unlocked letter boxes encourage other letterboxes to be broken into.

If the letterbox is left unlocked, and in order to protect the security of the Owners Corporation, the Executive Committee may be able to arrange the removal of the items, normally by the Building Manager. These removed lockboxes would be kept within the Building Managers office for collection.

However this would also depend on the wording of the rules for the complex. At the end of the day the Executive Committee is the elected body of the Owners Corporation and are charged with the control and maintenance of the Owners Corporation. If owners feel that their security is at risk, the Executive Committee may need to act accordingly.