Pay tenants for snow removal?

[Megan Tyberg]

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

[Jill F.]

For private driveways or sidewalks to a private entrance, my lease makes the tenant responsible for snow removal. For some duplexes my leases specify shared responsibility for snow removal. For parking lots, I provide snow removal with >3".