Is it illegal for a past landlord to take your mail?

i lived in this house and moved out about a month ago. when i left i hadnt forwarded my address because i was waiting on mail that would not accept being forwarded. So i was using that mailbox for a little while. my old landlord has taken my mail and is holding it until i call him or somthin and then what drive 30 miles to go get it so he can run his mouth? he has admitted to taking and holding it wantin me to call. I DO NOT OWE HIM anything. not a dime. he is an old senile ******** and he is mad that i was using that mailbox that is completely usless to him anyway. thx

OOHHH thats the best part!!! I HAVE HIM ON MY ANSWERING MACHINE ADMITTING TO IT 2 TIMES!!!

Some times people do what we don't like. That does not mean we have to take action. Sure it might be some annoyance on your part to go the extra mile but at least you will have peace.
(Romans 12:18) . . .If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men.

You would have to drive over to the old house anyway. You know the mail would not accept being forwarded. So is it possible he was trying to do you a favor. Older people like company just the same as the rest of us.
If you don't want to stay long have a friend go with you and keep the car running. Have him honk and say come one. He can be rude and you apologize for him. Get your mail, thank the man, and go your way.

oh and yes it is illegal to take anyones mail that is addressed to them personally, wrong address or not.

ADDED COMMENT
I have used and you can to the recordings on an answering machine. This is so legal because the person clearly knows he is being recorded. It can first be used to push the land lord into delivering the mail (choose a neutral area). Then it can be used before the police to have them go pick it up for you. You can state to them that you do not think it is safe for you to go over there. Although you might have to go with them.

Again I would do this only as a last resort where you know he is being nasty. It is better to go the extra mile to be peaceable. I know first hand that this better than eye for eye.

he has broken a FEDERAL LAW he cannot under any circumstances willingly hold or detain one person or a group of persons mail for any reason other than safeguarding it and even still he would have to have your explicit permission to do so

for instance even if my neighbor was to get my mail and it had my name on it but a different address he still cannot lawfully hold my mail for any reason

and if he opens it sue the crap out of him

if i where you i would get a recording of him stating that he is holding your mail

then contactg a lawyer and take all his money

good luck

Unless you really feel like spending 4 plus for a gallon of gas. I really think calling to make sure he's home is a good idea.
I wouldn't wait at home for someone just to come anytime they wanted.
Call the guy and set a date to pick up his mail that he is "holding till you call".

yes that is illegal and a FEDERAL offense

call the post office

he is supposed to mark "wrong address" on the envelope and leave them in the mail box

Yes it is illegal. I don't know what all the answers are on about regarding federal law because we don't have such a thing in the UK and Ireland!

It's a federal offense to mess with anyones mail. It's even illegal to OPEN a mailbox that isn't yours.

Yes here in the UK it is illegal too. Report him and he should be prosecuted by the State for this. Make sure you get all your
facts right before taking this action.

Good luck