Is the Landlord Responsible for Snow Removal in Ontario?

Yes, in most cases. Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act says a landlord must keep a rental home in good repair and safe to use. Courts say that duty includes snow and ice. So the landlord usually clears the walkways, steps, parking lots, and shared entrances. A lease line that tells tenants to shovel rarely changes this rule.

These facts show why this matters:

In Montgomery v. Van (2009), a tenant slipped on an icy walkway to her basement apartment. Her lease said tenants must clear the snow. The Ontario Court of Appeal still found the landlord at fault.

In Crete v. Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (2024), a tenant fell on her own front step. Her lease told her to clear that step. The court put the job on her, because only she used that space.

Ottawa's Property Maintenance By-law sets fines of $500 to $10,000 for each day the problem lasts.

Toronto now clears about 98 percent of its public sidewalks. Owners still handle their private property.

Ottawa has at least 1 cm of snow on the ground for about 115 days a year. Toronto has about 65 days, based on Environment Canada data.

This guide shares general facts. It is not legal advice. Talk to a lawyer or paralegal about your own case.

Which Spaces Must the Landlord Clear?

The law looks at who uses the space. If many people use it, the landlord clears it. If just one tenant uses it, the answer can change.

Shared Spaces

Landlords must clear spots that many people use. Ontario Regulation 517/06 says landlords must keep outdoor shared spaces free of unsafe snow and ice. The Landlord and Tenant Board also says the landlord's duty reaches past the rental unit. It covers parking lots, yards, and other shared spaces. You can read the Board's guidance on landlord repair duties for more detail.

Shared spots often include:

Front and side walkways

Building entrances and stairs

Ramps and railings

Shared driveways and parking lots

Paths to garbage and recycling bins

Spaces Only One Tenant Uses

A private balcony, patio, or front step is different. The Crete case shows that a lease can ask a tenant to clear a space that only that tenant uses. Even so, the landlord should write the rule in plain words. A clear rule stops fights later.

Houses With Basement Apartments

Many homes in Ontario have a basement suite. The owner lives upstairs, and a tenant lives below. The walkway to the basement door often feels like a gray area. The Montgomery case started on this exact kind of path. The safe choice is simple. The landlord clears shared paths, unless a paid deal says otherwise.

Can a Lease Make the Tenant Clear the Snow?

Not by itself, in most cases. The Landlord and Tenant Board says a tenant's promise to take over upkeep, beyond basic cleaning, does not hold up. A landlord cannot pass the duty to a tenant with one line in a lease.

How a Landlord Can Set Up a Snow Deal

A landlord can hire a tenant for snow work. It must work like a real job, though. Follow these steps:

1. Write a separate contract. A clause that can stand on its own can also work.
2. Name the spot. List the exact walkways, steps, and driveways.
3. Set the time. For example, clear within 12 to 24 hours after the snow stops.
4. Explain the method. Say where to pile snow and when to add salt.
5. Pay the tenant. A cash payment may be safer than a rent cut.
6. Keep records. Save photos and dates of each job.

Ask a lawyer or paralegal to check the contract first.

Snow Removal Rules for Ottawa Landlords

Ottawa winters are long. Your rental may sit near the ByWard Market, along the Rideau Canal, or out in Kanata. The same duty applies in all of these places.

Ottawa's Property Maintenance By-law says owners and occupants must keep roofs and nearby land free of snow and ice. The goal is to stop falls. The by-law does not set a fixed number of hours. So the safest plan is to clear fast, before anyone can slip. Owners also remove the windrow. That is the pile of snow a plow leaves at the end of a driveway.

Freezing rain makes Ottawa ice a real risk. Salt early and salt again after you clear. Many owners hire a snow removal service in Ottawa. Then the work gets done on time, even in a busy week.

Snow Removal Rules for Toronto Landlords

Toronto sets clear time limits. Here are the main rules from the City's sidewalk clearing page:

After a light snowfall of 2 cm or less, owners clear the public sidewalk next to their building. They have 12 hours after the snow ends.

When snow goes past 2 cm, city crews clear the public sidewalks.

Owners clear private land within 24 hours after the snow ends. This means driveways, parking spots, steps, ramps, and landings.

Do not push snow onto sidewalks, roads, or bike lanes. The City can fine you $500 plus a $110 victim surcharge.

These rules apply to a condo near Yonge Street and to a triplex in Scarborough or North York. If you manage more than one building, a snow removal service in Toronto can help you meet each deadline.

What Happens When a Landlord Skips Snow Removal?

Skipping the job costs more than doing it. Here is what can happen:

• City fines. Both Ottawa and Toronto can fine owners.
• Injury lawsuits. A tenant or a guest who falls can sue for injuries and costs.
• Landlord and Tenant Board orders. A tenant can file an application. The Board can order the landlord to do the work, lower the rent, or pay costs.
• Angry tenants. Icy steps lead to complaints and moves.

Do not wait for the first storm. Call Ezi Home Services at +1 613-366-6990 and ask for a snow removal quote for your rental.

A Simple Winter Plan for Landlords

A short plan keeps you safe all season.

Before the First Snow

• Buy salt or ice melt early.
• Mark paths, stairs, and drains so crews know where to work.
• Fix loose steps, broken rails, and dark lights.
• Tell tenants who to call about ice.

During and After a Storm

• Watch the forecast every day.
• Clear paths as soon as the snow stops.
• Salt after you clear, and again after freezing rain.
• Pile snow away from doors, fire hydrants, and drains.

Keep Good Records

• Take dated photos before and after each job.
• Write down the time your crew starts and ends.
• Save bills and tenant messages.

Good records help if someone says they fell on your property.

Why Many Landlords Hire a Snow Removal Pro

Snow does not wait for your schedule. A storm can end at 2 a.m., and a 12-hour clock starts right away. A pro crew takes that stress off you.

Here is what a pro does for you:

• Save time. You skip the early mornings and the sore back.
• Meet deadlines. Crews know the local clocks and plan for them.
• Keep tenants happy. Clear paths mean fewer calls and fewer fights.
• Leave a paper trail. Bills and job notes protect you.

If you own a rental in the capital, ask about winter snow removal in Ottawa. If you own one in the GTA, look at snow removal for rental buildings in Toronto. Call +1 613-366-6990 to talk with our team.

Tips for Tenants

Tenants can guard themselves too.

Read your lease and any separate snow deal.

Tell your landlord about ice in writing.

Take photos of unsafe steps and walkways.

Avoid risky shoveling if the area is not yours to clear.

Ask a community legal clinic for help if your landlord ignores you.

Why Choose Ezi Home Services

Ezi Home Services focuses on snow removal. Our team works in Ottawa and Toronto, so we know the local rules and the local weather. We also know what landlords need most: safe paths, fast work, and no surprises.

For rentals, we clear the walkways, steps, driveways, and parking areas that your tenants use every day. We plow, shovel, and treat ice, so the surface stays safe long after the storm ends. You get one team for the whole winter, not a new crew every week.

Whether your building stands in downtown Ottawa or in a Toronto neighbourhood like North York, we can help. Ready to protect your tenants and your wallet? Call Ezi Home Services at +1 613-366-6990 and get your snow removal plan started today.

Conclusion

In Ontario, the landlord usually clears the snow in shared spaces. A lease line rarely moves that duty to a tenant. Only a fair, paid deal on its own can do that, and only for clear spaces. Know your city rules, act fast after each storm, and keep good records. A little planning now can prevent a fall, a fine, or a lawsuit later.

FAQs

Can my landlord make me shovel the snow?

Only with a separate, paid deal, or for a space that only you use, like a private step.

Who clears the sidewalk in front of my Toronto rental?

The owner clears it within 12 hours after 2 cm of snow or less. City crews clear it when more falls.

What should I do if I slip on ice at my rental?

Get medical care, take photos, tell your landlord in writing, and ask a lawyer or paralegal about next steps.

Can a landlord charge me extra for snow removal?

Often not, because the job belongs to the landlord unless you sign a separate, paid deal.

How fast must a landlord clear snow in Ottawa?

Ottawa's by-law sets no fixed hours, so clear it fast, before it becomes an accident hazard.