If you own a rental property in a place with snowy winters, you may be speculating how to cope with the responsibility of snow removal. Snow removal for rental property owners is governed by a considerable array of rules, which can be complex at times. Consequently, it is imperative to allocate snow removal responsibilities promptly. Will you or your tenant undertake the task? This is based on several factors that will be discussed in the following information.
Local Ordinance
First, review your local ordinance to understand your snow removal responsibilities. In several but not all locations, local laws ask property owners to remove snow from nearby public sidewalks and driveways, typically within a certain amount of time (usually 24 to 48 hours). Yet, in some areas, local ordinances go beyond simply requiring snow removal. They may also explain where the removed snow can and cannot be piled up.
Some communities may require property owners to remove snow from fire hydrants, benches, or open spaces adjacent to their property. Others may limit where you can pile the snow (tossing snow on the road is against the law in many towns) or restrict 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 offer, avoiding getting hit with fines for improper snow removal is important.
Property Type
When distributing snow removal responsibilities, who gets allocated the task also depends on what type of rental property you possess. For instance, multi-family property owners are almost always responsible for snow removal. Nevertheless, for single-family rental homes, most owners and landlords are able to pass the task of snow removal to the tenant.
This situation may work in a number of scenarios, primarily if your tenant already handles yard maintenance and other basic duties. You need to be aware that the local ordinances remain in effect; therefore, you have to educate your tenant on necessary snow removal practices to avoid breaking local laws.
Tenant Ability
Another essential consideration is your tenant’s ability to perform snow removal operations successfully and punctually. If your tenant isn’t physically able of doing these tasks or is considered a member of a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you may need to make other arrangements. Although mandating a handicapped tenant to perform snow removal is not explicitly unlawful, a lack of consideration for your tenant could seriously damage tenant relations. In these situations, you may choose the more ethical and profitable option of hiring a professional property manager to assist your tenant, or alternatively, you may choose to manage it yourself if that is your preference.
Lease Documents
Most single-family rental property owners want their tenants to handle snow removal. And if you intend to proceed similarly, make sure there is clear language in your lease that indicates your tenant’s responsibilities for that task. Another best approach, if your tenant needs to follow specific rules, is to provide any relevant information from local ordinances. Thorough lease documents can help your tenant understand their snow removal responsibilities and can be an invaluable resource should a dispute arise.
On the contrary, 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 activities.
One exceptional benefit of hiring a property management company like Real Property Management Endeavor is our ability to aid you in determining the optimal approach for handling weather-related maintenance at your rental property. Contact us or call 636-244-5959 today to know more about our range of property management services in Saint Charles and its vicinity.
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