Owning a rental property in London means snow removal isn't just about comfort, it's a landlord responsibility with real legal weight behind it. Understanding how this differs from managing snow removal at your own home helps protect both your tenants and yourself from liability during the winter months.
Ontario law generally places responsibility for maintaining safe common areas, including snow and ice removal, on the property owner or landlord unless a lease specifically shifts that responsibility to the tenant, which is uncommon for single-family rentals. This means an icy walkway or unplowed driveway at a rental property is your problem to solve, not something you can simply leave to tenants to sort out themselves.
A seasonal contract removes the guesswork and the risk of forgetting, especially valuable if you own the property but don't live nearby to monitor conditions yourself. Automatic service tied to snowfall triggers means the property gets cleared whether or not you're thinking about the weather that day, which matters a lot for owners managing properties from a distance.
Documentation becomes more important for rental properties than for your own home. Keeping records of your snow removal contract, visit schedules, and any communication with your provider creates a paper trail that protects you if a slip-and-fall claim ever comes up, showing you took reasonable steps to maintain safe conditions.
Put It in the Lease
Whoever is responsible, write it down. A lease that clearly states who clears the driveway, walkway and steps, and who arranges salting, prevents disputes in the middle of a storm. If you hire a contractor, tell tenants so they know a crew will be coming and do not park where the plow needs to work. Check the lease rules and current Ontario guidance with a legal professional if you are unsure.
Multi-Unit and Shared Driveways
Duplexes and small multi-unit homes often have shared driveways and several entrances. Mark the edges of the driveway and any steps before the season so they are easy to find under snow, and agree on where the snow should be piled so it does not block a unit or a parking spot.
What It Costs
Thames Valley Snow seasonal plans start at $650 and cover automatic service whenever 5 cm falls. Add-ons let you match the property: a walkway plus up to 6 steps is $175, seasonal salting is $175, sidewalk clearing is $90 and pet-safe de-icer is $120. Each visit is documented with timestamped photos, which gives landlords a record of when the property was cleared.
Plan for Vacancies and Turnovers
A rental can sit empty between tenants, and an empty property with an unplowed driveway and snow-covered walkway is an invitation for problems: missed deliveries, visible signs that nobody is home, and dangerous conditions for showings. A seasonal plan keeps the property looking cared for whether or not someone is living there, and it means you are not scrambling to find a contractor in the middle of a storm while also trying to fill a unit.
Getting a Quote
Send us the address and we will quote from City property maps and aerial imagery, usually within 2 business days, so you do not need to meet a crew on site. We mark driveway edges, steps and drains before the season, carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance and WSIB coverage, and can send a certificate of insurance for your records. Thames Valley Snow is also a member of the London Property Management Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my tenant responsible for snow removal?
In some cases a lease can assign it, but responsibility rules vary. Get legal advice for your situation, and make sure whatever you agree is written in the lease.
How do I know the property was cleared if I live elsewhere?
We take timestamped photos on every visit, so you have a dated record of service without needing to drive over and check.
Want snow off your mind this winter? Request a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read about our residential snow removal and commercial snow removal.
What's included… and what's extra
A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.
Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.
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Seasonal snow removal from $650 + HST. Automatic at 5 cm, photo after every visit.
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