Are you wondering how to take on the responsibility of snow removal if you own a rental property in an area with snowy winters? Snow removal for rental property owners is subject to a surprisingly wide range of regulations, which can be confusing at times. Because of this, it’s critical to assign snow removal responsibilities in the proper order long before the first snowflakes appear. However, who ought to do it – you or your tenant? That relies on a few factors, which we go into greater depth about below.
Local Ordinance
First, learn about your snow removal responsibilities by searching your local ordinance. Local laws typically require property owners to remove snow from nearby public sidewalks and driveways within a particular duration (usually 24 to 48 hours), however this is not always the case. But in other areas, local ordinances go beyond simply requiring snow removal. They may also determine where the removed snow can and cannot be piled up.
Some communities may require property owners to remove snow from fire hydrants, benches, or common places that are close to their homes. 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.
Avoiding getting hit with fines for improper snow removal is crucial, regardless of what the local ordinances say.
Property Type
When distributing snow removal responsibilities, who gets assigned the task also depends on what type of rental property you own. For instance, multi-family property owners are largely responsible for snow removal. Nonetheless, for single-family rental homes, most owners and landlords can delegate the task of snow removal to the tenant.
If your tenant already handles yard maintenance and other basic responsibilities, this arrangement may work in many circumstances. However, it’s critical to keep in mind that the local ordinances still apply, so you need to educate your tenant on correct snow removal practices to avoid breaking local laws.
Tenant Ability
Your tenant’s ability to perform snow removal duties accurately and on time is another crucial factor to consider. If your tenant isn’t physically able to carry out such tasks or is deemed a member of a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you may need to make other arrangements. Although it is not technically against the law to make a disabled tenant do snow removal, a lack of consideration for your tenant could gravely damage tenant relations. In certain 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 prefer.
Lease Documents
The majority of owners of single-family rental properties request their tenants to handle snow removal. And if you intend to follow suit, you must add clear language in your lease that indicates your tenant’s responsibilities related to that task. Another ideal approach is to specify any pertinent information from local ordinances if your tenant must abide by specific regulations. In the event of disagreement, comprehensive lease documents can help your tenant understand their snow removal responsibilities and can be an invaluable resource.
On the other hand, if you plan to provide snow removal, specify that in the lease as well. Include expectations for that service, such as moving cars or refraining from parking on the street during snow removal service hours.
Hiring a property management company like Real Property Management Premium has several benefits, one of which is that we can assist you in figuring out the best way to handle weather-related maintenance at your rental property. Contact us or call 225-570-8739 today to get more information about our range of property management services in Baton Rouge and nearby.
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