Rent Reduction for Snow Removal by Tenant?

[Nick Gray]

Yesterday, I came to a verbal agreement with a current tenant of mine for a new 18 month lease at $1400/month. The tenant now has the physical lease to sign, but I have an email from him asking to handle snow removal himself in exchange for a break on rent. Would you let a tenant handle snow removal or should it be a landord responsibility? If so, how much of a break in rent would you offer per month? This driveway is small, only big enough for 2 cars, and serves only this one apartment.

[Nathan Gesner]

I don't know what kind of home this is or how much snow there is to remove but landscaping and snow removal is generally considered a tenant responsibility on a single-family home.

I don't believe in rent reductions. Charge the full amount for rent and then pay the tenant for the agreed-upon work. In this case, I wouldn't pay them anything because the occupant is expected to shovel snow.