For those that live in snowy areas, how do you deal with snow removal?

I have an 8-plex and it's like pulling teeth to find someone who can actually take care of the sidewalks. Then there are others that claim they'll deduct their lost pay out of their rent if I don't get the parking lot snow blowed before they go to work! I can't pay someone to plow it because all of the vehicles are there. What works for you? Thanks!

I have the snow plows plow the driveways/parking spaces that are open then after the storm we send a notice saying on X day between X times we will clear the parking lot. If your car is not moved during this time it will be towed at your expense. Most people will not care about the tow and will be thankful you’re clearing the lot. I also call the people directly who don’t move their cars before I tow to tell them it’ll be towed if they don’t move. It works for us! I’ve only towed a couple times by doing this.

Our landscapers usually did it for us for an additional cost. We would do the sidewalks along the amenities but that's it. We were told of we ice melted all sidewalks and someone still fell we could be liable for not completely removing ice. If we did nothing it would fall under nature.

In Wisconsin, we can’t plow around cars, it will bury them. That’s why we have snow emergency parking. Everyone knows they’re going to have to shovel out their own car. If it’s going to snow, you can block of areas of your lots that can then be plowed. You can’t be expected to shovel people’s cars out. No one gets to miss work here for snow either, so they all know to be prepared.

At my 30 unit rental complex I have gone through numerous snow shoveling companies in 3 years. Last year I ended up hiring a couple guys from our roofing company (they also shovel the roof 2-4 times a year). We leave shovels at the property if any tenants so desire to dig themselves out, but after large storms I have the roofing company check the sidewalks at the beginning and end of their normal work days. We pay the guys $30/hr and they do a better job than any of the companies I had previously hired!
At home (condo 4 plex) our plow guys also do our sidewalks so they can remove all of the snow at once.

You gotta find a reliable commercial snow removal company. This could be a landscaper or someone that only does snow work. Put them on a contract and hold them to it.