You might be thinking about how to manage the responsibility of snow removal if you own a rental property in a locale with snowy winters. Guidelines about snow removal for rental property owners are surprisingly different and sometimes complicated. Due to this, it’s critical to distribute snow removal responsibilities appropriately long before the first flakes fall. However, which should you or your tenant do it? That is contingent upon a few factors, which we go into further detail about below.
Local Ordinance
First, review your local ordinance to know your snow removal responsibilities. In many but not all areas, local laws oblige property owners to remove snow from surrounding public sidewalks and driveways within a specific duration (usually 24 to 48 hours). However, in certain areas, local ordinances go beyond simply requiring snow removal. In addition, they could specify where the removed snow can and cannot be piled up.
Certain cities could require property owners to remove snow from communal spaces like fire hydrants, benches, and sidewalks. 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.
No matter what the local ordinances say, avoiding getting hit with fines for improper snow removal is vital.
Property Type
Depending on the type of rental property you own, snow removal responsibilities are divided up accordingly. For example, multi-family property owners are almost always responsible for snow removal. Nevertheless, for single-family rental homes, most owners and landlords can give the task of snow removal to the tenant.
This scenario can work in numerous circumstances, specifically if your tenant already handles yard maintenance and other simple duties. However, you need to bear 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
Another crucial factor to consider is your tenant’s ability to perform snow removal tasks properly and in a timely manner. If your tenant isn’t physically able to perform such duties or is considered a member of a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you may need to make other arrangements. A lack of consideration for your tenant could greatly damage tenant relations, even if it is technically not against the law to require a disabled tenant to do snow removal. In some situations, you may find the more ethical and profitable option to hire a professional property manager to do it for your tenant or simply perform it yourself if you want.
Lease Documents
Most single-family rental property owners look for their tenants to handle snow removal. In the event that you intend to follow the example, it is crucial to add clear language in your lease that delineates your tenant’s responsibilities for that task. Include any pertinent information from local ordinances if your tenant must abide by certain regulations. This is another excellent practice. Accurate lease documents can help your tenant understand their snow removal responsibilities and can be an invaluable resource should a controversy arise.
Additionally, if you plan to provide snow removal, outline that in the lease as well. Also, you should include expectations for that service, such as moving cars or abstaining from parking on the street throughout snow removal service times.
Hiring a property management company like Real Property Management Suncoast offers numerous perks, including the fact that we can advise you on the best approach to handle weather-related maintenance at your rental property. Contact us or call 941-309-1111 today to discover more about our range of property management services in Sarasota and nearby.
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