Snow removal can be a very difficult and expensive task depending on where your rental property is. Some landlords or property managers may try to push off removing snow or putting salt down to save money. However, if your tenant trips and falls on ice you may be liable. Here is what you need to know about shoveling snow.
What type of property do you have? If you own an apartment building then you are usually responsible to make sure all shared walkways and parking areas are snow free. If you own a single family rental home you may be able to include snow removal in the lease as your tenant’s responsibility.
Check state and local laws: Make sure that you check your state and local laws to determine what exactly your snow removal responsibility is. Some local ordinances may place different obligations on the tenants and landlords.
Track snow removal: Having a system that tracks how often the snow is being removed from your property or how often salt is being placed on your rental properties’ sidewalks can be important information if you are sued. While it is important to follow snow removal laws to protect your tenants, if you failed to properly track your efforts you are not protecting yourself from a lawsuit. RISSOFT property management software will help keep you organized so that you can easily input when snow removal took place giving you the evidence you need to help protect you from slip and falls due to ice on your property.
This post is provided by RISSOFT Residential and Commercial Property Management Software, specializing in innovative and cutting-edge property management software for all 50 states. Request a demo or contact us today to receive more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.