It's more secure to have the undelivered parcel at the local sorting office than with a neighbour.

Post offices hold undelivered parcels for three months - six months if insured - and welcome inquiries in person or by phone.

Most building owners say things are going O.K." But there were problems in some cases, involving undelivered parcels, uncollected garbage and toilets that went uncleaned.

You'll have half a dozen or more courier service offices to visit to collect your undelivered parcels; some of them won't even be in the same county as you, never mind the same town.