If you own a rental property somewhere with snowy winters, you may be wondering how to deal with the responsibility of snow removal. Rules on snow removal for rental property owners are shockingly different and occasionally unclear. Due to this, it’s essential to split snow removal responsibilities correspondingly long before the first flakes fall. But who should be doing it – you or your tenant? That relies on a few factors, which we go into further depth below.
Local Ordinance
To comprehend your snow removal responsibilities, first consult your local ordinance. Local laws mandate property owners to remove snow from adjacent public sidewalks and driveways, typically within a specified amount of time (usually 24 to 48 hours), but not always. However, in certain locations, local ordinances go beyond simply requiring snow removal. They might also show where the removed snow can and cannot be piled up.
Some cities may require property owners to remove snow from fire hydrants, benches, or public spaces near their properties. Others may limit where you can pile the snow (throwing snow in the road is against the law in many towns) or how high you can pile snow up along a walkway. Some may even limit what kinds of road salt or other deicing materials you can use on your walkways and driveways.
Irrespective of what the local ordinances state, avoiding getting hit with fines for improper snow removal is essential.
Property Type
Depending on the type of rental property you own, you may have to assign snow removal responsibilities to different people. Let’s say multi-family property owners are almost always responsible for snow removal. However, for single-family rental homes, most owners and landlords can transfer the task of snow removal to the tenant.
This scenario may be possible in many circumstances, particularly if your tenant already handles yard maintenance and other basic responsibilities. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the local ordinances still apply, so you should educate your tenant on proper snow removal practices to avoid breaking local laws.
Tenant Ability
An additional important aspect to remember is your tenant’s ability to perform snow removal chores correctly and on time. You might have to make other arrangements if your tenant is considered a member of a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act or is not physically able to carry out such tasks. Even though it is not strictly prohibited to ask a disabled tenant to do snow removal, a lack of consideration for your tenant could significantly damage tenant relations. In these situations, you may find the more ethical and profitable option to hire a professional property manager to do it for your tenant or simply accomplish it yourself if you desire.
Lease Documents
Most single-family rental property owners expect their tenants to handle snow removal. If you intend to do the identical thing, be sure to add clear language in your lease that outlines your tenant’s responsibilities regarding that task. If your tenant must adhere to specific regulations, a further recommendation is to include any related information from local ordinances. In the event of disagreement, clear lease documents can help your tenant understand their snow removal responsibilities and can be an invaluable resource.
Furthermore, specify in the lease whether you plan to provide snow removal. You should also include expectations related to that service, such as moving vehicles or not parking on the street during snow removal service period.
One excellent factor about hiring a property management company like Real Property Management Resources is that we will assist you in identifying how to best handle weather-related maintenance at your rental property. Contact us or call 405-787-4429 right now to understand more about our range of property management services in Mustang and nearby.
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