If you own a rental property in an area with snowy winters, you might be contemplating how to manage the responsibility of snow removal. Procedures for snow removal for rental property owners exhibit substantial variation and can often be quite confusing. Consequently, it’s a good idea to allocate snow removal responsibilities in advance of the initial snowfall. Who should be responsible for it – you or your tenant? The result depends on several aspects, which will be detailed in the subsequent sections.
Local Ordinance
To begin with, consult your local ordinance to get data for your snow removal responsibilities. In several locations, local laws request property owners to remove snow from adjacent public sidewalks and driveways, usually within a specific period (usually 24 to 48 hours). But in other locations, local ordinances go beyond simply requiring snow removal. They may also explain where the removed snow can and cannot be piled up.
Certain municipalities may require property owners to remove snow from fire hydrants, benches, or common spaces close to their properties. Others may limit where you can pile the snow (throwing snow in the road is against the law in numerous towns) or how high you can pile snow up along a walkway. A few laws may limit the types 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 essential.
Property Type
When allocating snow removal responsibilities, who gets allotted the task also depends on what type of rental property you have. For illustration, multi-family property owners are typically responsible for snow removal. However, for single-family rental homes, most owners and landlords can hand over the task of snow removal to the tenant.
This scenario may be advantageous in several cases, particularly if your tenant already handles yard maintenance and other fundamental duties. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that the local ordinances are still applicable; thus, you should educate your tenant on proper snow removal practices to avoid breaking local laws.
Tenant Ability
It is vital to consider your tenant’s ability to perform snow removal tasks effectively and punctually. If your tenant isn’t physically able to achieve these responsibilities or is regarded as a member of a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you may need to make other arrangements. While it is not explicitly prohibited to mandate a handicapped tenant to carry out snow removal, a lack of consideration for your tenant could significantly damage tenant relations. In these scenarios, you may find the more ethical and profitable option to hire a professional property manager to accomplish it for your tenant or simply do it yourself if you prefer.
Lease Documents
Lots of single-family rental property owners anticipate their tenants will handle snow removal. To do this, you should include clear language in your lease that emphasizes your tenant’s responsibilities about that endeavor. It is also prudent to provide any information pertaining to local ordinances if your tenant needs to follow certain regulations. Specific lease documents can help your tenant understand their snow removal responsibilities and can be an invaluable resource should a conflict arise.
Alternatively, if you plan to provide snow removal, include it in the leasing agreement as well. Additionally, you need to include expectations related to that service, such as moving cars or not parking on the street during snow removal service times.
One advantageous feature of hiring a property management company like Real Property Management Clarity Central is our assistance in determining optimal strategies for handling weather-related maintenance at your rental property. Contact us or call 614-405-2340 right away to acquire information about our range of property management services in Columbus and the area around it.
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