How Do You Handle Snow Removal for Multi-Unit Properties?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Multi-unit properties like townhouse complexes and apartment buildings in London, Ontario come with unique snow removal challenges that single-family homes don't have.

Shared driveways, multiple entry points, and common walkways all need to be cleared, often on a schedule that gets everyone in and out safely, whether that's residents heading to work early or visitors arriving throughout the day. Coordinating timing across a whole property takes more planning than a single driveway.

Parking is often a bigger issue than the snow itself. With many units sharing a lot, crews need a plan for clearing around parked vehicles, and property managers sometimes need to coordinate a temporary move so a full pass can happen.

Liability is also more layered on multi-unit properties, since a property manager or condo board is typically responsible for common areas, which makes consistent, documented service especially important for insurance purposes.

Start With a Site Map

Every multi-unit property should have a simple winter site map shared between the manager or board and the contractor. It should show the order of priority (main entrances, accessible routes, fire routes, mailbox areas, garbage enclosures), where snow can and cannot be piled, catch basins and drains, and any curbs, bollards or decorative surfaces that need care. Marking edges, steps and drains before the first snowfall prevents damage and saves time on every visit.

Walkways Are Often the Real Liability

Driveways and parking areas get the attention, but slip-and-fall risk is concentrated on walkways, shared stairs and entrance landings. Those areas need clearing on every visit and ice control when temperatures swing around freezing. Rock salt slows down badly below about -10°C, so a calcium chloride blend is useful on the coldest days, and a pet-safe de-icer is worth considering where residents walk dogs.

Smaller Plexes and Rentals

Not every multi-unit property is a large complex. Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes owned by individual landlords often fit residential-style service: a seasonal plan for the shared driveway plus walkway and steps service. Our walkway and steps service starts at $150 + HST, and a walk plus up to 6 steps is $175 + HST. Seasonal salt is $175 + HST and includes freezing rain and refreeze visits. Leases should say clearly whether the landlord or tenants are responsible, so nobody assumes someone else is handling it.

Documentation Protects Everyone

Keep a record of each visit: the date, the time, and what was cleared or salted. We send a timestamped photo after every visit, which gives landlords and boards a dated record without extra paperwork. We carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance and are WSIB registered, and you can ask any contractor for the same proof before signing.

Larger Complexes and Commercial Sites

For condo corporations and larger rental buildings, pricing depends on the full site layout, so we quote commercial work per site within 2 business days. We are also members of the London Property Management Association.

Communicating With Residents

Most complaints on shared properties come from residents who did not know what to expect. Before December, send everyone a short notice covering when service starts, the snowfall depth that triggers a visit (ours is automatic at 5 cm or more), where to park during storms, and who to contact about an icy spot. Post the same notice in the lobby or mail area. Ask residents not to shovel snow back onto cleared walkways or into parking aisles, and to keep balcony snow off the paths below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What about parked cars?

Post a clearing schedule and ask residents to shift vehicles where possible; crews clear around cars that stay put and return in long storms.

Who handles the City windrow?

We clear the windrow the City plow leaves at the entrance on every visit.

Want it handled every time it snows? Get a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. See property managers and commercial snow removal.

What's included… and what's extra

Commercial snow service is priced per site from paved area, walkway length and opening time. A typical contract includes plowing at the agreed trigger depth, clearing before opening, hand-cleared entrances, sidewalks and ramps, and a timestamped photo log of every visit.

Common extras are quoted separately so you only pay for what the site needs: salting and de-icing per event, extra sidewalk or ramp coverage, after-hours or priority service, and snow relocation when piles run out of room. See commercial snow removal or request a site quote by calling or texting (548) 888-8702.