Hi, there! Joe White here from Grow Property Management, your trusted property management company in Philadelphia.
I’ve been noticing that we’ve had more snow than usual in Philadelphia this year, which has led to a common question from property owners about who is responsible for snow removal. From my perspective, the best way to handle this is to clearly outline responsibilities in the lease. I make sure the lease states that the tenant is responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks and also for any fines issued by the city if they fail to do so.
When snow isn’t removed, the city can issue a violation, which creates unnecessary stress and extra work for me as the property owner. I would receive the notice, have to deal with paying the fine upfront, and then go through the process of billing the tenant. That’s time-consuming and frustrating, so I believe it’s important to include a reasonable fee in the lease for such violations. This isn’t about being petty; it’s about recognizing that my time and effort have value.
Beyond the financial aspect, there’s also the issue of maintaining a good reputation in the neighborhood. As a property owner, I have a responsibility to the surrounding community. If tenants neglect snow removal, it reflects poorly on me and can create tension with neighbors. Typically, a homeowner would take care of their sidewalks, so when a rental property isn’t maintained properly, it stands out in a negative way.
For these reasons, I include a fair but meaningful fee to compensate for the inconvenience, reputational impact, and administrative burden. Real estate investing ultimately comes down to numbers, and any costs I incur, whether financial or reputational, should be accounted for. I don’t believe in overcharging, but I do believe in being properly compensated.
Using property management software makes this process easier, as I can quickly assign violations and fees to tenants. Overall, my goal is to manage properties efficiently while protecting both my time and my investment.
