Snow Removal Duplex?
I am closing on my first duplex Friday and am trying to put my lease together. There are currently tenants in both units that are on a verbal month-to-month. The current owner plows the snow because he owns the 4-plex next door. Due to the driveway being shared with the 4-plex we are willing to pay for the plowing of the driveway but want the tenants to be responsible for the walks/steps, etc. How do I put this in the lease so each unit (upper/lower) shares the responsibility? Or should I make just one resp.? Vac. rates are really high here and I don't want to scare off tenants by taking over and making them do all this work PLUS raising the rent!
Check with your local town/city ordinances. In some places the landlord is required to clear the snow and other places it is acceptable to have the tenant do it if you include it in the lease. I usually do it myself and keep the walks well salted. The last thing you want is to have someone fall and end up with a lawsuit on your hands.
- will