In autumn, colorful leaves often cover the sidewalks. An idyllic sight, but one that can quickly become a slippery hazard. Tenants and owners should know who is responsible for leaf removal and what financial consequences this may have.
Who has to remove the leaves?
According to the Wohnimmobilien NRW eV association, owners are generally obliged to clear the sidewalks in front of their property of leaves. However, this so-called traffic safety obligation can be transferred to the tenants via a rental agreement. If there is no corresponding regulation, the owner remains responsible. In some cases, fines can be imposed if the obligation to remove leaves is not complied with.
Liability in the event of accidents
If an accident occurs due to the accumulation of leaves not being removed, both the owner and the tenant are liable if they have not fulfilled their obligation. In the event of damage, liability can extend to private assets, as the Cash portal describes.
Tax deductibility
Costs for leaf removal can be deducted from taxes under certain conditions. For example, if a service provider is hired to remove leaves, the labor costs can be deducted as household services. According to Finanztip, 20 percent of the labor costs, up to a maximum of 4,000 euros per year, are tax-advantaged.
Editorial team finanzen.net