Who Is Responsible for Snow Removal at a Rental Property?

Read our blog post on who should be the one bundling up to shovel that latest snowfall.

If you live in a rental property, the question of who is responsible for snow removal often comes up during the winter months, and there isn’t always a clear answer. In some cases, the landlord or management company may be responsible for clearing snow from common areas like walkways and driveways. But in other cases, it may be the tenant’s responsibility to shovel their own parking space or front porch. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that can help determine who is responsible for clearing away the snow.

Get a quote in less than a minute

Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

Get a free quote

4.6 rating

Check Your Lease Agreement

When you’re dealing with snow removal at a rental property, the first thing you should do is take a look at your lease agreement. It should lay out exactly who is responsible for clearing snow — whether that’s you, your landlord, or both of you. To make sure everyone’s on the same page, you’ll want to confirm what the expectations are so there’s no confusion down the line. If it turns out that you’re in charge of shovelling and de-icing, be sure to plan ahead and get everything ready before winter hits.

In some cases, the responsibility may fall on the tenants themselves.

Winter weather often brings a whole host of tasks for those living in rental properties. The answer of who is responsible for snow removal may depend largely on the landlord or property manager. In some cases, they may take on the responsibility; in others, they may leave it up to tenants to handle. Ultimately, the details should be stated in the lease agreement and discussed before signing so everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. However, renters should keep in mind that extra tasks such as snow shoveling can be difficult to manage if there are no clear expectations beforehand.

Get comprehensive Tenant Insurance for what matters

Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase in less than a minute, receive your policy instantly, and save when you buy online.

Get a Free Quote

4.6 rating

Ask Your Landlord or Property Manager

When faced with the issue of snow removal at a rental property, it is important to check the lease agreement first. If the lease fails to mention anything about who is responsible for snow removal, you can always reach out to your landlord or property manager and kindly ask them who they would like to take care of it. They can either provide you with helpful insight regarding the best way to go about it or may even be willing to handle it themselves. Keep in mind that while your landlord may not be obliged to take care of snow removal, they may appreciate being asked and might be willing to help out if asked nicely.

Snow removal can be a hassle, but it’s important to make sure that everyone stays safe during winter weather conditions.

Winter weather can be a great time of year but it also comes with a big responsibility — snow removal. If you’re renting a property, you have to figure out who is responsible for the shoveling and clearing away of the snow. It’s a tricky situation but fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a burden if you know where to look. As a tenant, it’s important to take the initiative and contact your landlord or rental agency right away so that they can review their policies on snow and ice removal.

Looking for tenant insurance? APOLLO is here to help with tailored coverage that’s designed for renters. Get your free quote today and have your policy emailed directly to your inbox.

Get a quote in less than a minute

Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

Get a free quote

4.6 rating