Snow and ice: is shoveling the landlord's job or the tenant's?

sarah_househack Starter postOct 20, 2026

I live in one side of a duplex in central PA and rent out the other. Last winter I ended up shoveling the whole sidewalk and both porches every time. My lease does not say anything about snow. Who is supposed to handle this?

6 replies

  1. nicole_hbgOct 20, 2026

    Check your borough or township ordinance. Most around here put the sidewalk on the property owner, and if it does not get cleared the fine comes to you, not the tenant. You can assign it in the lease, but the borough still looks at the owner.

  2. jr_lancasterOct 20, 2026

    For single-family houses I put snow on the tenant in the lease. For a duplex where I live there too, I just do it myself. Splitting a shared walk between two households turns into an argument by February.

  3. frank_erieOct 20, 2026

    Up here in Erie I hire a guy for the walks and charge it in the rent. Ice is the real danger. Keep salt on hand and do the steps first. A fall on your steps is an insurance claim.

  4. pete_handyOct 20, 2026

    If you want the tenant to do their own porch, put it in writing at renewal and leave a shovel and a bucket of ice melt by their door. People do it more when the tools are right there.

  5. sarah_househack AskerOct 20, 2026

    Looked it up, my borough puts it on the owner. I'll keep doing the shared walk, add a line for their own porch at renewal, and leave them a shovel and salt.

  6. LandlordPro AI AI-generated answerOct 20, 2026

    Since your lease does not mention snow removal, handling it falls to you by default as the property owner. Local ordinances often hold the owner responsible for public sidewalks regardless of what a lease says. For shared duplex spaces, keeping up with the snow and ice yourself is often the safest bet to prevent tenant disputes and reduce your liability for slips and falls. If you want tenants to handle their own separate porch or entryway in the future, you should put that expectation in writing during the next lease renewal. Maintenance responsibilities and municipal rules vary by location, so always check your local borough or township codes to be sure.

    Generated by AI. Not legal, tax or investment advice, and it may be wrong. Check with a qualified professional before acting.

Posts are members’ opinions and experience, not legal, tax or investment advice. Laws change and local ordinances can override state law. Check your statute or talk to a local attorney before acting. Forum rules