Can I bill the landlord

[terminatedone]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

we have rented property for 4 years. we just received a notice from the local town that there is an ordinance out there that indicates:

it shall be the duty of property owners or persons in possession of any premises in the township of ***** to remove snow from sidewalk in front of ther respective premises within 24 hours after the snowfall and at all times to keep said sidewalks free and clear of snow, slush and ice.


with this, the landlord put in our lease that it is our responsibility since they do not want to incur the expense. we were not aware of the ordinance until now and this has been in effect for well over 50yrs.

can we bill the landlord for the snow removal?

 

[Andy0192]

can we bill the landlord for the snow removal?

Not if you signed the lease agreeing that it was your responsibility.

 

[terminatedone]

oh ok, but i have seen responses on other peoples questions and other members have indicated that law and ordinances override what has been written in the lease. i guess you are saying that the landlord can put anything in a lease, have a tenant sign it even if it is a violation of the law or ordinance?

 

[atomizer]

I find it odd that this appears to be an issue now dispite your claim of having to live there four years. Tenants shoveling their own driveway and sidewalks is very common in PA.

 

[atomizer]

oh ok, but i have seen responses on other peoples questions and other members have indicated that law and ordinances override what has been written in the lease. i guess you are saying that the landlord can put anything in a lease, have a tenant sign it even if it is a violation of the law or ordinance?

Pa is a landlord friendly state. They also allow such clauses because they feel that you as a tenant are mature enough to decide with your feet if there is a clause you can't live with._

 

[Gail in Georgia]

"it shall be the duty of property owners or persons in possession of any premises in the township of ***** to remove snow from sidewalk in front of ther respective premises within 24 hours after the snowfall and at all times to keep said sidewalks free and clear of snow, slush and ice."

The term "persons in possession of any premises" is, well, you.

The local town ordinance doesn't care WHO (landlord/management/tenant) clears the snow; just that it's done within the required time period.

Gail

 

[FarmerJ]

yup the key part of that ord IS >or persons in possession < being a tenant , your in possession , its addressed in the lease , its your job , no different than when tenant must move the grass at a SFH