You may be thinking about how to approach the responsibility of snow removal if you own a rental property in a region with snowy winters. The rules regarding snow removal for rental property owners are surprisingly complicated and extensive. This is why it is critical to allocate snow removal responsibilities well prior to the first flakes fall. However, who should be accountable for this task – you or your tenant? This depends on several aspects, which we shall detail in the subsequent section.
Local Ordinance
Initially, search your local ordinance to understand your snow removal responsibilities. Local laws call for property owners to remove snow from public sidewalks and driveways adjacent to their properties, usually within a specified time frame (usually 24 to 48 hours). Yet, this is not always the scenario. In some regions, local ordinances go beyond simply requiring snow removal. Moreover, they may indicate the locations where the removed snow can and cannot be piled up.
Some cities may require property owners to remove snow from common areas, such as fire hydrants and benches that are near their property. Others may limit where you can pile the snow (throwing snow in the road is against the law in lots of towns) or how high you can pile snow up along a walkway. Some may even limit what sorts of road salt or other deicing materials you can use on your walkways and driveways.
Whichever the local ordinances suggest, avoiding getting hit with fines for improper snow removal is imperative.
Property Type
The variation also depends on the type of rental property you own and how snow removal responsibilities are allocated. For instance, multi-family property owners are often responsible for snow removal. However, for single-family rental homes, most owners and landlords can delegate the task of snow removal to the tenant.
This arrangement may be viable in certain circumstances, particularly if your tenant already handles yard maintenance and other uncomplicated tasks. However, it’s imperative to keep in mind that the local ordinances continue to be in effect; consequently, you should educate your tenant on proper snow removal practices to avoid breaking local laws.
Tenant Ability
Another critical aspect to take into account is your tenant’s ability to perform snow removal tasks properly and on time. If your tenant isn’t physically able to accomplish such responsibilities or is classified as a member of a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you may need to make other arrangements. Even though it is not technically unlawful to demand tenants to do snow removal, a lack of consideration for your tenant could significantly damage tenant relations. Hiring a professional property manager to manage it for your tenant, or performing the task alone if you prefer, is possibly the more ethical and profitable option.
Lease Documents
Numerous single-family rental property owners ask their tenants to handle snow removal. And if you want to do the same, you must include clear language in your lease that defines your tenant’s responsibilities related to that task. Another effective tip is to incorporate any related details from local ordinances if your tenant needs to follow specific regulations. Clear lease documents can help your tenant understand their snow removal responsibilities and can be an invaluable resource should a dispute happen.
Additionally, if you plan to provide snow removal, put that information in the lease as well. Include expectations for the service, such as the relocation of cars or the prohibition of parking on the street during snow removal service times.
One main benefit of hiring a property management company like Real Property Management Trusted Hands is that we will aid you in selecting the most effective approach to handle weather-related maintenance at your rental property. Contact us or call 407-794-7468 today to obtain more details regarding our range of property management services in St Cloud and nearby.
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