Landlord Responsibilities

Whether you rent a property from a management company or a private owner, there are particular responsibilities that your landlord must meet. These responsibilities will either be defined by your leasing contract or local ordinances. The responsibilities of the landlord or the landlord’s agent can differ depending on whether you rent a single-family residence or if you live in a multi-family unit. If you are worried about what your landlord is not completing in relation to inclement weather, please do not hesitate to contact the legal professionals at Freundlich & Littman, LLC.

Look To Your Lease

Your lease will often detail what your landlord is or is not responsible for in times of inclement weather. Most leases will have a section discussing snow removal and inclement weather. On the whole, landlords tend to remove the snow from sidewalks and common areas, as required by law (more on that below). Landlords are not required to remove snow from your cars, but they are required to make their parking lots safe. Most landlords include inclement weather and snow removal responsibilities in their standard lease.

There are certain rights which cannot be contracted away in your lease agreement. These rights will be detailed below. If you signed a lease where any of your rights were waived, please contact our office immediately.

Heating Requirements

The temperatures drop below freezing. If there is inclement weather which causes the heat to go out or the heat stops working during colder months, the landlord is required by law to provide a working heating system. They must keep all inhabitable rooms at a minimum of 68°F. If the tenant has a working thermostat which is solely in the control of the tenant or the tenant inhabits a single-family dwelling, the landlord is only required to provide you with a working heater system.

The heating system needs to be turned on approximately between the first day of October until the last day of April, or if the outside temperature falls below 60°F. Note that if the outside temperature falls below 10°F, the landlord or their agent is not required to maintain the 68°F minimum; however, they must still provide a working heater that is maintained in good working order and unobstructed. Maintenance of the heating systems is the responsibility of the landlord. The cost of maintenance or repairs cannot be charged to the tenant.

Snow Removal

You have options if your landlord is requiring you to shovel the snow in front of your multi-family rental property, especially if you are elderly. Shoveling the snow can cause medical issues especially if you are pregnant or infirmed. First, lodge a complaint with your landlord or their agent. That puts them on notice and gives them the reasonable opportunity to take care of their responsibilities. If that does not work, it is the best idea to call an attorney to seek their advice. Your landlord or management company will have an attorney, so they might be resistant to helping. A good attorney can fight for your rights to walk on a walkway that is free from snow and ice.

Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.