Snow on sidewalk

[love0715]

HI I bought a semi detached house in Richmond hill but won't be moving in till Sept. Question is
during winter, if the snow is piling up .especially on the sidewalk right outside of my semi detached house, does the snow on the sidewalk have to be cleared by the house owner? (otherwise get a ticket??)

[rotjong]

Check with your city hall, In most city's, towns, villages the bylaw states that after a snowfall the side walk should be cleared with in 48 hrs by the homeowner.

If not and sombody slips and falls and breaks a hip you could be sued.

And you can get a ticked from your bylaw officer if it is not cleared within 48 hours

[onlineharvest]

HI I bought a semi detached house in Richmond hill but won't be moving in till Sept. Question is
during winter, if the snow is piling up .especially on the sidewalk right outside of my semi detached house, does the snow on the sidewalk have to be cleared by the house owner? (otherwise get a ticket??)

I don't know if a municipal bylaw exists for Richmond Hill, but I did find this on their website:

Sidewalk Maintenance
The Town provides plowing and sanding services on all Municipal sidewalks during the winter months and every effort is made to have all sidewalks cleared within 12 hours after the cessation of a typical winter event.

EDIT ADD: Also find this Snow Removal hotline. Best bet is to call and ask: Snow Information Line . . . . . . (905) 771-2525

However, on thier webpage it looks like they suggest you clear snow from sidewalks to assist their efficiency. But they do have a program to clear the snow...

[coolspot]

In Richmond Hill, the town clears the sidewalk. But, do your neighbours a favour and shovel your sidewalk anyways.

[accat13]

Wow Sept. is a long way off. I would take this opportunity to introduce myself to my soon to be new neighbour. Maybe offer them a few dollars to keep an eye on the place for you. Let them use your driveway when your not intending to visit.Give them your phone number, they can call you if there are any issues with your house.

[CSK'sMom]

Another word of advice for the OP... check with your insurance company. Most won't cover any claims for an empty house, the risk is too high. You need to have someone check the house daily or you're SOL if something happens like frozen pipes that burst and flood the house. ;)

[peelhic]

CSK's mom..your right.

Make sure that you advise your insurance company that the house is vacant until September. Most insurance policies have a clause that you need to vist the location at least every 4 days. If you do not do this and something happens they have grounds to deny the claim. I've seen this happen many times...and its very difficult situation for the homeowner. Even if you visit the home every 4 days, if its vacant then they could still possibly deny any claim for material change in risk.

I remeber one claim that occurred after the person took out home insurance on the house but then he decided to rent it out. 10 months later there was a large loss and we had to deny the claim for material change in risk.

The lesson is make sure to let them know of what your doing with the house.