I know laws vary, but is it generally understood that the landlord of a property is supposed to keep your walkway clear and safe?
We've had an unusually horrific dumping of snow and ice, and the whole city is out of snow shovels. My landlord lives next door and has one, but he hasn't shoveled my walkway.
I plan to ask him, but I want to know the law/requirement first.
2007-01-03 07:12:21 · 13 answers · asked by LisaT 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
There's no mention of it in our rental agreement/lease, and though he hasn't messed with the snow, it's not "undisturbed - I've been trying to walk on it for days, falling once so far.
2007-01-03 07:19:51 · update #1
It depends. Are you renting an apartment or other multi-family building, or single family home.
When I have lived in a single family house, I always assumed that I was responsible for snow shoveling & grass mowing. If he normally mows the grass for you, I would believe he is responsible for any shared walkways. If you have a private walkway (leads to your door only) I would think you would be responsible for that.
Just go ask to borrow a couple shovels, he will either hand them to you, or tell you he is meaning to get to it.
2007-01-03 07:21:55 · answer #1 · answered by Gem 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say this is akin to mowing the grass or some other such yard work. Who keeps the lawn? Who handles the trash around the place? If it is you, then you should shovel. If it is the landlord, then he should shovel. I think this should be based on precedent.
Sunflare -- have you ever even seen snow? Raking snow would not make a lick of sense.
2007-01-03 08:15:34 · answer #2 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There have been 100s of questions like this on here. All you have to do to determine WHO does WHAT in a rented unit is READ the LEASE. I guess no one reads a lease when both parties sign them any more. It should spell out EVERYTHING in the lease..........................
Every landlord/Management company is different. There usually are no laws governing this type of upkeep. It is worked out between you and the landlord.
GO FIND THE LEASE AND READ IT.
RICKY: No one can possibly answer as you did. You have no idea of knowing that......
ALSO, the person that said your landlord "could" be at fault if someone fell AFTER the landlord shoveled is incorrect also. If anything the landlord would be right in a court of law because he could prove he made an "effort" to clear the sidewalk..
2007-01-03 07:30:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, I have run into a problem like that--what I understood is that if you rent the property as a whole, you take care of it. I live in a duplex and since neither of us who rents the house rents the yard, the landlord pays for the snow shoveling and the grass mowing etc.
2007-01-03 13:43:09 · answer #4 · answered by Kate W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never heard such, i think u are responsible, borrow the landlords shovel and do it yourself, a rake is even better or a broom.
When u rent u are suppose to keep the place and the yard kept nice. Unless it is a major water troubles, then u get in touch with your landlord.
Your landlord may knock your rent down if u shovel their driveway too.
Remember a broom in your house is best to use and then the rake to make grooves in the snow.
2007-01-03 07:22:32 · answer #5 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
First, what does the lease agreement you signed say? That is the first "regulation" he (and you) must follow. If you agreed to shovel, then YOU shovel. If it says he shovels, then he shovels.
Second, in liability insurance, if the landlord leaves the snow alone and you fall, you cannot sue and win (the undisturbed snow is an Act of God). If he messes with it, then if someone falls, he might be at risk of being liable.
In general, there is no law requiring a landlord to shovel snow.
2007-01-03 07:16:24 · answer #6 · answered by kingstubborn 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No--its' an obvious danger b/c you can see the snow and ice, so he not responsible for keeping it cleared. Ask to go borrow his shovel and maybe he will nice enough to help you shovel the snow.
Good luck!
2007-01-03 08:18:05 · answer #7 · answered by kathylouisehall 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a tenant signed a lease that states the tenant is responsible for the removal of snow and ice can this tenant be held responsible if he is handicapped?
2015-02-21 00:35:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, yes. A landlord has to keep the sidewalks reasonably passable.
But if there's a big storm and he doesn't get to it right away, there's not much you can do.
Good luck.
2007-01-03 07:15:39 · answer #9 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If he mows your yard he should shovel the snow if not no
2007-01-03 07:22:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋