If you own a rental property in a region that faces snowy winters, you need to know how to effectively manage snow removal. The regulations surrounding snow removal for rental property owners, while sometimes complex, can be navigated with confidence. It’s crucial to clearly define who will handle snow removal—whether it will be you or your tenant. Making this decision is essential and will depend on several important factors that we will explore here.
Understand Your Local Snow Removal 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.
Who Handles Snow Removal?
When it comes to snow removal, the assignment of responsibilities is largely determined by the type of rental property you own. In the case of multi-family properties, it’s typically the owner’s duty to manage snow removal. For single-family rental homes, however, many landlords can confidently pass this responsibility to their tenants.
This arrangement can be highly effective, especially when tenants are already responsible for yard work and other maintenance tasks. It’s essential to remember, though, that local ordinances must be respected. Therefore, take the initiative to inform your tenant about the required snow removal practices to ensure compliance with local laws. This proactive approach will help keep everything running smoothly.
Assessing Tenant Capability and Legal Obligations
Another essential consideration is your tenant’s ability to perform snow removal operations successfully and punctually. If your tenant isn’t physically able to do 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.
Clarify Tenant Snow Removal Duties in the Lease
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 learn more about our range of property management services in Saint Charles and its vicinity.
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