When there is snow and ice, the owners' winter service starts at your door. This means: sidewalks and walkways should be cleaned and icy surfaces should be sprayed. Homeowners must keep adjacent sidewalks free of hazards, including snow and ice.
However, service providers can also be commissioned. However, the owner remains responsible for implementation, states the consumer advice center. It is also possible that the snow removal task will be transferred to the tenants. Tenants must undertake winter service if this is agreed in the tenancy agreement.
Release must generally occur from Monday to Friday, from 7am to 8pm, and on Sundays and holidays, from 8am to 9am. The sidewalk, house entrances and trash can entrances must be unobstructed. If necessary due to weather conditions, evacuation will have to be carried out several times.
The only exception: If removal is futile due to persistent snowfall, the obligation to vacate is no longer applicable, states the German Tenants Association. In the case of black ice, there is also an obligation to propagate. If the person responsible is unable to do so due to illness or other reasons, he or she must provide a representative to fulfill the evacuation obligation.