Snow Removal Service for Parking Lot?

Question

We’ve purchased a triplex in Minneapolis this year which has a parking area in the back, and we do not charge tenants for parking.  In the winter, do landlords of multi-unit properties provide snow removal service for parking areas? That is, besides the snow removal service for the walkways, sidewalk and stairs, will we need to provide snow removal for the parking area?

Tim Swierczek · Answer

@Jackie Sladky they do if they want to keep their tenants.

Account Closed · Answer

The snow removal company I use plows everything (parking, sidewalks, stairs etc) and sends an email to my tenants beforehand asking to move cars. If cars are not moved, parking won't be plowed.

John Woodrich · Answer

Like Account Closed we have a plow person who takes care of the driveways and sidewalks at our MF properties, SF tenants are on their own.  Instead of an email he sends them all a group text a half hour before getting there so they can move their cars.  If they don't move them they get plowed in.  He will then stop by after the vehicle has been moved to complete the clean up.

Jackie Sladky · Answer

Thank you, everyone, for replying.  The area in question has no driveway, just parking spaces.  The driveway is plowed.  I've asked the tenants, and it was never plowed in the past, so based on the info I've gathered, I am paying one tenant to remove the snows on sidewalk, walkways, steps,.. but not the sparking area, and all tenants have access to snow shovels on location.

Bruce Runn · Answer

I don't have the parking area plowed as typically the cars are usually there.  Tenants are responsible for shoveling for their car and I take responsibility for sidewalks out front

Pat L. · Answer

Emergency vehicle access was one we were warned on. But tenants park without any regard for a plow to get through or push the snow & we get a LOT. Then they complain that they were plowed in. I came by one morning as 3 tenants who parked in the spot we push snow were digging their vehicle out. My wife asked me if I was going to compensate them 'sure' I said 'I'll buy them larger snow shovels'...

Michael Noto · Answer

@Jackie Sladky If the driveway is a shared driveway with all units parking in one area than I would highly recommend hiring a snow removal contractor to do this work unless your lease specifically outlines otherwise.

Amber Gonion · Answer

@Jackie Sladky it really depends on the size and your tenants.  We have a larger driveway of a four plex that has mostly male tenants that take care of the snow no problem.  We will call for a plow when we get big snow to be nice.   Another duplex with a very small driveway that if we didn’t plow it it would never get cleaned.

Higher end properties (A class and B class) most definitely need to be plowed.  C properties can often exchange rent credit for lawn and snow, but you are risking liability.

Brooks Johnson · Answer

@Jackie Sladky what does your lease say about snow removal and lawn mowing? I know the city is strict about sidewalks but haven’t heard about them getting involved in parking areas. I would think at least from a liability perspective you would want it cleared.

Snow Removal Service for Parking Lot?

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