Rochester NY & Snow Removal

[David Stott]

So Rochester, NY colleagues with property within the city . . . what are your thoughts on the recent news that the Mayor expectes owners/landlords the responsibility party for removing snow on sidewalks, regardless of what the lease states re sidewalks.

I know it's similar to the issue of high grass, and I"m sure the city is quick to target the owners (i.e. tax payer) because it's simple for them to levy fines and add it to the property tax, and then leave it to the owners to take the issue up with the tenants.

What's your plan of action (if any) as a result of this news?

[Shannon Sadik]

I attended the City Council meeting and actually spoke on behalf of investors and myself. I have to say I was a bit disappointed that more investors didn't show up to speak. It was obvious from those that did speak that the law is incredibly vague and unrealistic. I honestly cannot believe that such a law would actually pass and was shocked when they approved it. Fines will just start flowing if they actually start enforcing these "rules". And maybe that's the point...

I have alerted all of my tenants to this new law and explained to them that their lease states they are responsible for the sidewalks and they must take care of that now. I recommended our snow plow guy and said they were welcome to call him and he'd do it for a small fee if they didn't want to worry about it, but if I get fined, that fine will be passed along to them. However, i have one duplex in particular that I recently bought and I cannot even get the tenants to pay the rent on time, and one of the tenants is elderly and cannot walk without assistance. She is not capable of clearing the sidewalk herself, so what am I supposed to do now? I guess I have to suck it up and pay for that house?? We manage all of our own properties, but I certainly cannot get to it within the time frames required. 

Honestly, I am so fed up right now. Our taxes clearly charge us $43/property to clear the sidewalks, but that's only for 4" and above. In the meeting, I told the council that if they wanted me to be responsible for this, my guy would clear any ice or snow for $40 for the season. Why don't they stop taxing me for something they don't actually take care of properly and then I'll do it and it won't actually cost me anymore and the problem will actually be solved. Apparently they don't want to be reasonable... And with the new tax assessments going into affect, i don't even know if we will be making any profits this year at all...I'm very scared for those letters to arrive. One friend of mine owns several multis on Park Ave and her taxes went up $250/mo!! 

It's time we started fighting back on this stuff. It's getting out of control.