With all the recent snow in Seattle, a frequent question we are asked is who is responsible for snow removal at your rental property?
Luckily, snow is not a frequent event in the Puget Sound. Still, you need to make sure the sidewalks around your rental property are cleared of snow to prevent falls from tenants and their visitors. We are often asked, do we (the property owners) responsible or can we require our tenants to do the clearing of snow and ice?
According to the Seattle Municipal Code, “It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of private property to remove snow and ice on the sidewalks abutting his or her property in a timely manner and, if practical, prevent its becoming or remaining in an icy, ridged, uneven or humped condition or in a condition which is potentially hazardous to users of the public sidewalks.” (Ord. 117569 Section 121, 1995; Ord. 90047 Section 39, 1961.)
With that in mind, it’s best to make sure you are keeping your property and sidewalks cleared or have a service provider do it for you. It’s best to arrange for that service when it’s not snowing so you know if you have it covered.
Of course, Sound Point Property Management could help you manage your property so you aren’t worried about this each time it snows in our area.
Have questions? Contact us anytime.
