Pay tenants for snow removal?

Question

First time landlord going through the winter months in Columbus OH. My tenants park on the side of the house on this gravel patch - do I need to clear the snow from this area in the winter? They don't have parking in their lease technically, but since we have the space on the side of the building they are welcome to use it. We have 2 long sidewalks that lead to the front of the house that I know I need to clear. How does that work? Do most of you hire a company and how often do they come? I would rather give the money to my tenant if he wants to clear the snow in exchange for a rent reduction but I have no idea what the price should be, how often it needs to be done, etc. I guess he would need to take a picture of the snow removal so I can give him a rent credit every month

Stuart Udis · Answer

I agree with @Marc Winter. This has premises liability written all over it. Even the side gravel yard should be cleared. Whether or not the lease explicitly grants tenants access, there’s clear precedent that they’ve been using that area for parking, and they likely have other communication showing you were aware of it. Even if your lease says snow or ice removal is the tenant’s responsibility, you’re still getting pulled into a claim if the fails to clear it and someone gets hurt whether it's a tenant, guest of a tenant etc.

If you hire a snow-removal vendor, you can use a contract with an indemnification provision and pair it with an endorsement under their CGL policy which adds you as additional insured to their policy (not the same as merely receiving an insurance certificate as a certificate holder). That way, if the vendor fails to perform and someone is injured, you’re better protected. You don’t have those safeguards when you rely on the tenant, and they drop the ball.

Marc Winter · Answer

Unless this is a single-family house, do NOT let the tenant be responsible for the sidewalks/stairs, etc.

Why?  Our experience has been that when someone (yes, even the tenant) slips and falls, the attorney will be suing the owner of record of the property.  Not the tenant who was effectively paid for that service.

It's just not worth it.  Make sure that the snow removal company you do use is fully insured.

Jimmy Lieu · Answer

Welcome to BP, Lolo! In Columbus, Ohio, landlords are generally required to clear snow from areas that are part of the lease or that tenants have a legal right to use safely, like the sidewalks leading to the front door, so it sounds like you’re already covering the most important areas. For informal spots like a gravel side parking area that isn’t in the lease, it’s usually up to you whether you want to maintain it, but it can be a nice goodwill gesture if you allow tenants to use it. A lot of landlords hire snow removal companies for the sidewalks and driveways once or twice a week during heavy snow, depending on the season, while others work out arrangements with tenants where they clear it in exchange for a small rent credit, and having them send a picture is a smart way to track it. Pricing can vary, but for a side gravel patch, something like $20–50 per visit could be reasonable depending on the size and effort, and most people adjust the frequency based on snowfall rather than a fixed schedule. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!

Kerlous Tadres · Answer

Honestly, I’d just hire someone this winter so you don’t stress about it. Then when the lease renews, make it super clear what’s the tenant’s responsibility and what’s yours. After that, if they want to take it over for a small rent break, it’ll be way easier to manage.

James Wise · Answer

You don't need to handle this. If tenant wants snow shoveled they can shovel it.

Denise Supplee · Answer

You don’t have to clear the gravel area if parking isn’t in the lease, but you’re still safest handling snow and ice consistently to reduce liability. If you want the tenant to take it on, put the expectations in writing, what areas they’re responsible for, how soon after snowfall it needs to be done, and that they’ll send photos for verification. A fair rent credit is usually whatever a local service would charge. Whatever route you choose, just make sure it’s clear and documented.

Joe Dretzka · Answer

Hello, I have a quadplex in the Midwest. I have been bouncing around on this subject lately. My tenant used to take care of this for a discounted rent. I recently just switched to using GreenPal for grass and snow removal. You just put in your address and email and contractors send you quotes. Been working ok for me for the past year.

Ed W. · Answer

Get a landlord-tenant attorney to ask.  Not as simple as it seems.

Purely as a guess, I'm 90% certain that you should have made it part of the lease clearly making it their responsibility.  At this point, I'm guessing you should clear it but - with statutory notice prior to the lease renewal, make it part of next lease.

I'm reasonably certain that if you ask them to clear it and they get hurt, you will be liable.  Better to just do it yourself or hire someone who has Worker's Comp insurance.

Did I mention you need an attorney? :)

Theresa Harris · Answer

If they are renting the entire house, then they are normally responsible for snow removal and cutting the grass-it may vary by area, but that's how it works where I am (in Canada).

Pay tenants for snow removal?

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