Sweep leaves: Only mandatory if it is in the rental agreement
Created: 09/20/2022, 2:30 p.m
By: Ines Alms
In autumn, wet leaves on sidewalks can become a slippery slope.
But who is actually responsible for sweeping the leaves?
Only sometimes the tenant.
When you walk your feet through falling autumn colored leaves and whirl them up, there is something beautiful about it and it is part of this time of year.
However, if it is not a forest path but a sidewalk, the question quickly arises as to who is obliged to remove the leaves for safety reasons.
Sweep leaves: Only mandatory if it is in the rental agreement
A look at the lease clarifies who has the duty to clear leaves on the sidewalk.
© Shotshop/Imago
In principle, the municipalities have a duty to ensure that roads and sidewalks are used safely, and this also includes the duty to clear leaves.
As
ERGO Versicherung
reports, however, the municipalities can pass this task on to the homeowners by statute - and these in turn to the tenants.
Whether you as a tenant are actually obliged to sweep in front of your own door can be found in the rental agreement or the house rules.
If the obligation to sweep the leaves is not mentioned there, the landlord has to take care of it himself, for example by hiring a service provider, which the tenant usually has to pay for with the additional costs.
Rules on the obligation to clear are different in the federal states
However, if you find yourself in charge of cleaning up the sidewalk, here are some additional things to keep in mind, according to
Focus Online
:
The rules on the obligation to clear are regulated differently in the individual federal states.
This usually has to be done between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. on weekends.
Leaf blowers may only be used on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
However, since these are not very animal-friendly, it is better to avoid them.
Sweeping up alone is not enough, storm drains are also taboo - the leaves have to go.
Burning leaves or disposing of them in the forest is generally prohibited.
Large amounts can be handed in at the municipal recycling center.
However, if you have enough space and possibilities in the garden, you can use the leaves there in a meaningful way.
When you're on vacation, you have to find a substitute.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter of our partner 24garten.de.
You have to get started with leaf sweeping at the latest when you see a closed blanket of leaves or when there is a risk of slipping after frost or rain.
Anyone who does not remove the leaves commits an administrative offense and must expect a fine.
And if someone slips, it can also be expensive.
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Anyone who is annoyed by the fallen leaves from the neighbor's trees should find out about a so-called leaf rent.