Snow Removal Should Be a Part of Your Property Management Plan. Here’s Why!
With the unpredictable Albertan winter close at hand, have you considered why a snow removal plan might be necessary for your property?
According to this article by the CBC, between 2011 and 2016 the rate of frequency of serious injuries due to falls on ice is a 43.2 per 100,000 people. These are reported to be injuries that are not minor but that require hospitalization, meaning that we can deduce that there are many more minor injuries that occur every year due to ice and snow. Here are a few reasons why we think that snow removal should be at the top of your priority list as we move into the winter season.
1. Safety
Between the snow, ice, and sleet that winter inevitably throws at us, there are many opportunities for injury. Staying on top of your snow removal helps to ensure that your residents and their guests get to and from your property safely and without incident.
2. Maintenance
Not only does maintaining your sidewalks help to prevent injury, but it also helps with the general maintenance of your property. While there is inevitable deterioration of sidewalks and roadways, anywhere that there is moisture and foot traffic, this deterioration is accelerated. Allowing snow and ice to sit unattended can accelerate the rate of cracks, deterioration, and can result in costly repairs. By maintaining your property, you can save yourself significant expenses over time!
3. Liability
While it is unusual for owners and corporations to be found liable for falls and injuries, it is always best practice to protect yourselves in any way possible to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Even when you are found to be not liable, you can still incur legal fees by defending against a claim. Having a proactive and timely approach to snow removal on your property not only greatly reduces the risk of injuries, but it also helps to ensure that should an incident occur, you have shown that reasonable action has been taken to ensure the reasonable safety of people on your property.
4. Property Appeal
If you own a condominium, commercial property, or rental, having a snow removal plan can be extremely appealing to residents and consumers. Condominiums in particular who have a snow removal policy that ensures that residents can reasonably count on the roadways and sidewalks to be cleared in an efficient manner, are far more appealing to buyers and residents than if they did not dictate a clear plan. Likewise, commercial properties who are easily accessible may also see traffic more frequently than those who do not.