Snow Removal in Buffalo, NY

[Paul Neubecker]

I've got a couple rental properties in the City of Buffalo. 

I am leaning towards hiring professional snow removal for the rental properties.

Does anyone know: 

(1) The local laws regarding liability/responsibility for shoveling say your sidewalk? Is the responsibility on the Property owner / tenant / depends on the lease? 

(2) Does anyone have any recommendations for a snow removal service? I currently have Regan Landscaping doing the lawn cutting and I know they plow, but I kind of want to get a couple other bids to make sure I'm generally in the right price range. They do a fine job with the cutting, but they do seem a little pricey. 

(3) Is there a reason to hire someone to plow if the driveway is probably going to be occupied by the tenants' vehicles? Could I hire someone just the shovel the walk way to and from the house along with the sidewalk? I'm a bit confused about how the logistics of the snow removal will even work. 

Any advice from experienced landlords that deal with winter welcome!

[Jonathan Sowinski]

Originally posted by @Paul Neubecker:

I've got a couple rental properties in the City of Buffalo. 

I am leaning towards hiring professional snow removal for the rental properties.

Does anyone know: 

(1) The local laws regarding liability/responsibility for shoveling say your sidewalk? Is the responsibility on the Property owner / tenant / depends on the lease? 

(2) Does anyone have any recommendations for a snow removal service? I currently have Regan Landscaping doing the lawn cutting and I know they plow, but I kind of want to get a couple other bids to make sure I'm generally in the right price range. They do a fine job with the cutting, but they do seem a little pricey. 

(3) Is there a reason to hire someone to plow if the driveway is probably going to be occupied by the tenants' vehicles? Could I hire someone just the shovel the walk way to and from the house along with the sidewalk? I'm a bit confused about how the logistics of the snow removal will even work. 

Any advice from experienced landlords that deal with winter welcome!

 Paul,

I am not a lawyer so no legal advice here...

(1) City code regrading snow removal can be found here: http://ecode360.com/13626640.  It states owner or occupant to remove snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks by 9am.  So you might be able to specify in the lease though you as owner may have some liability somehow...

(2) I am also looking for a reliable service.  I have heard finding a reliable service that is affordable is tough "you get what you pay for" so far I left a lot of messages and not many callbacks.  The City does require plow operators to be licensed find a list of them here (along with all other licensed contractors):  https://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/home/city_departments... Though it has not been the best of help for me.  I would suggest asking neighbors if they use anyone and get their contact, you want to make sure they serve your location already and you are not an out of the way stop that gets put to the back of the line.  They might even give your neighbor a referral discount (it pays to keep neighbors happy).  Also. obviously make sure they are insured and you have a signed contract that states where (specific areas of property) and when (specific amount of snow fall, and before a specified time of day) the snow will be removed.  Also, if you pay by season is there a max limit of plowing before you pay per plow.  I have heard pay per plow contracts can get messy if it is not your primary residence.

(3)  Legally I believe you are only required (by the City) to clear sidewalks adjacent to your property.  I imagine it depends on your lease for anything above and beyond that...

Sorry I couldn't be more help in recommending someone...I have done ours myself in the past as it was super easy, my double where I lived and apartments with no sidewalk just a few steps to clear and that was 4 blocks away on my way to work (we moved this summer and not as convenient).  What part of the City are your properties?  Ill reach out if I find a good one, and please reach out if you find someone too.

Cheers,