Snow clearing obligation: you have to consider that

The snow removal obligation applies to every owner or tenant. According to the law, you must always ensure that the sidewalk in front of your residence is free of snow. In this practical tip, we will show you what snow removal is all about.

Snow clearing obligation: As a house owner

According to the traffic safety obligation, house owners are obliged to keep the sidewalks in front of their property free of snow and ice. So it means that you as the property owner must ensure that passers-by can walk safely on the curb.

• The snow clearing obligation applies on all days of the week, from eight in the morning to eight in the evening. Within this period, all pedestrian paths in front of and to your property must be safe to enter.
• Two people should be able to walk side by side on the curb. It is therefore not enough to simply push the snow onto the house wall or hedge.
• What many do not know: Icicles can also cause serious injuries. Therefore, you should regularly remove the icicles from your roof.
• If you are not present due to vacation or illness, you should ask a neighbor to do the snow removal.
• Exception: As a working person, you don't have to come home to clear snow.
• Tip: Since road salt was banned in some municipalities due to environmental pollution, we recommend using split or sand.

These regulations apply to you as a tenant

• Take a look at the house rules or your rental contract, there should be rules for winter service.
• Your landlord must still check whether the sidewalks have been properly cleared of snow and ice.
• Under certain circumstances, the landlord may also commission a winter service, the costs for this are shared among all tenants.

Neglected snow clearing duty: This is up to you

If pedestrians injure themselves on your sidewalk due to insufficient snow clearance, it can be expensive for you.

• A good liability insurance is now appropriate, the injured person can claim damages.
• In addition, there is a fine of up to 5, 000 euros for "violation of the street cleaning regulation". In addition to the fine due to "negligent bodily harm", insurance companies do not cover this sum.

In our next practical tip, we will tell you whether snow is really forbidden on the car roof.