Landlord Quick Tip

Tip #178:  Skating on Thin Ice?

blizzardA hazard lurks just outside the front door of your rental property.

Tenants who are responsible for snow removal have a tendency to take the easy way out — by applying ice-melt chemicals that do the hard work.

Trouble is, using these chemicals may damage concrete or asphalt, and that will cost the landlord.

It’s not that the chemicals themselves are harmful, but de-icers place in motion a process of increased freeze-thaw cycles, and that can wreck the concrete or asphalt because these surfaces draw in water once the snow or ice melts. As temps drop, the water freezes and places stress on the structures.  Rock salt works the same way. In fact, salt actually attracts water and may be one of the worst offenders.

Once the chemicals in de-icers are tracked indoors, they can cause damage to interior floors.

One tip experts recommend is to skip the de-icers altogether and use sand.  This adds traction without the risks of chemical de-icers or salt.  Tenants must be careful, though — sand tracked indoors can scratch the flooring.

The problem is common enough that it may be worthwhile having a conversation with your tenants prior to the first freeze, to agree on the proper way to remove ice on landings, sidewalks and driveways.

Keep in mind that providing traction on icy surfaces is the top priority.  A slip and fall lawsuit will cost far more than some new concrete.

See last weeks Landlord Quick Tip.

American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for landlords related to your rental housing investment, including rental forms, tenant debt collection, tenant background checks, insurance and financing. Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.