Snow Removal: What Your Landlord Is Required to Do
After a snowstorm, who's supposed to clear the sidewalk, the parking lot, and the stairs? In most cases, your landlord is. Snow and ice removal is a maintenance obligation that comes with owning rental property, and skipping it can create serious liability. Here's what the law actually says.
Landlord Obligations by Property Type
For multi-unit buildings, the landlord is almost always responsible for clearing common areas: sidewalks, parking lots, stairways, and building entrances. Most city ordinances require property owners to clear sidewalks within 24-48 hours after snowfall ends. For single-family rentals, check your lease — some leases shift snow removal to the tenant, which is legal in most states as long as it's clearly stated. If your lease is silent on snow removal, the default is usually the landlord's responsibility.
What Happens When They Don't Shovel
If your landlord consistently fails to remove snow and ice, you can file a complaint with your city's code enforcement or public works department. Many cities issue fines starting at $50-250 per violation per day. If you slip and get injured on uncleared common areas, the landlord faces premises liability — and their insurance company will not be happy about it. Document the hazardous conditions with dated photos before filing any complaint.
Can Your Lease Make Snow Removal Your Problem?
For single-family homes, yes — leases can assign snow removal to tenants, and courts generally uphold these clauses. For multi-unit buildings, it's trickier. Even if your lease says you're responsible for the sidewalk in front of your unit, many courts have ruled that common-area maintenance remains the landlord's obligation regardless of what the lease says. The landlord can't contract away liability for common areas in most jurisdictions.
Salt, Sand, and De-Icing
Clearing snow is only half the job. Ice that forms after snow melts and refreezes is often more dangerous than the snow itself. Your landlord should be applying salt or sand to walkways, stairs, and parking areas. If you're buying de-icer out of your own pocket because your landlord won't, keep the receipts — in some states, you can deduct reasonable maintenance costs you incurred because of the landlord's failure to act.
●Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withhold rent if my landlord won't clear the snow?
Probably not for snow alone — rent withholding is typically reserved for habitability issues like no heat or water. However, you can report the violation to code enforcement, and if accumulated ice creates a genuine safety hazard at the building entrance, it might rise to a habitability concern in some jurisdictions.
What if I get hurt slipping on ice at my apartment complex?
Document the scene immediately — photograph the ice, note the date and time, and get medical attention. Report the injury to your landlord in writing. The landlord's property insurance typically covers slip-and-fall injuries on their premises. Consider consulting a personal injury attorney if the injury is serious.
My landlord plows the parking lot but not the sidewalk. Is that legal?
Most city ordinances require the property owner to clear public sidewalks adjacent to their property within a set timeframe. The parking lot may be a contractual obligation, but the sidewalk is usually a legal one. Check your city's municipal code — violations are often reportable through 311.
DepositHawk protects renters’ money. See what we do.
DepositHawk is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information and documents are for informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship is created. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.