For property owners · Property care
Who will clear my snow and cut my lawn while I am away?
Arrange one person, plus a backup, to clear snow and look after the lawn on a written schedule while you are away. Snow matters most: many municipalities have sidewalk-clearing bylaws, owners can be liable for slips on their property, and snow against vents or basement windows can damage the home. A tidy yard also makes an empty home less obvious.
In 60 seconds
- Snow clearing and lawn care while you are away protect people walking past, the house itself, and your standing with bylaw officers and your insurer.
- In some places a bylaw requires owners to clear the public sidewalk in front of their property within a set time, so check your local bylaw.
- Homeowners can be held liable for slips and falls on their property, which is why steps, walkways and driveways need attention even when nobody is home.
- Snow should be kept away from gas meters, exhaust vents and basement windows, not only from the driveway.
- A neighbour, a snow and lawn company or an independent care professional can do the work, as long as the schedule and triggers are written down.
Why does snow clearing matter if nobody is living in the house?
It matters for three reasons: people, the building and the rules. Passers-by and delivery drivers can slip on an uncleared walkway, and owners can be held liable. Snow piled against vents, gas meters and basement windows can cause damage or safety problems. And in some places a bylaw requires owners to clear the public sidewalk too.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada notes that homeowners are responsible for keeping stairs, walkways and driveways reasonably safe and may be held liable for slips, trips and falls. A deep, untouched driveway also signals clearly that nobody is home.
Do I have to clear the sidewalk in front of my house?
It depends on your municipality. In some places a bylaw requires owners to clear the public sidewalk in front of their property within a set time after a snowfall; elsewhere the municipality clears it. Look up your city or town’s snow clearing bylaw, and make sure whoever looks after your home knows the deadline.
Rules can also differ for corner lots, laneways and rural roads, so read the bylaw rather than assuming it matches the last place you lived.
What should a winter snow and property checklist include?
A good winter checklist covers more than the driveway. It should list the walkway, steps and public sidewalk, salting or sanding, clearing around vents and the gas meter, keeping basement windows and doors clear, and a look at the roof and eavestroughs for ice dams. It should also say when to go: the trigger matters.
- Trigger: after any snowfall over an agreed depth, and after freezing rain
- Walkway, front steps and driveway, then the public sidewalk if your bylaw requires it
- Salt or sand on steps and slopes
- Snow cleared away from the gas meter, furnace and dryer vents, and basement windows
- A look at the roof edge and eavestroughs for ice dams or large icicles
- Mail, flyers and parcels picked up while there
- A short text or photo to you after each visit
What lawn and yard upkeep is needed while I am away in summer?
In summer, the basics are cutting the grass on a regular schedule, watering plants and gardens within any local watering restrictions, and keeping the yard free of flyers, parcels and debris. Your municipality may also have property standards rules for yards, so check local bylaws if you will be away for weeks.
Clearing eavestroughs, trimming branches near the house and power lines, and securing patio furniture before a windstorm are also worth adding for longer absences. Anything involving power lines or a tall ladder is better left to a qualified trade.
Who can do snow removal and lawn care while I am away?
Owners usually choose between a neighbour, a snow and lawn company, or an independent care professional who combines upkeep with home checks. A neighbour is close but may be away too. A company brings equipment but may only clear the driveway. An independent professional can combine tasks, but you check them and agree terms yourself.
Be honest about scale. A long driveway, a rural laneway or a large lot may need a plow or ride-on mower, which a person with a shovel cannot replace. In that case, arrange the heavy work separately and ask your home checker to confirm it happened.
How do I set up a snow and lawn arrangement before I leave?
Put the arrangement in writing: the tasks, the trigger for each visit, how quickly after a snowfall it happens, who supplies the shovel, salt and mower, how damage is handled, and how and when payment is made. Name a backup person, and share your insurer’s claims line and an emergency contact nearby.
Ask whether the person carries their own liability insurance, and ask your own insurer how your policy treats someone working on your property. Walk the property together before you leave to point out hidden steps, drains, garden beds and anything that should not be plowed over.
How does Maple Care help homeowners find snow and lawn help?
On Maple Care you post a free property care request describing the upkeep you need; it shows only your city, not your address. Independent care professionals who want your contact details pay to get them, up to a limit you set of at least five. You then interview, check references and agree terms directly.
Our team reviews every account, and verified badges are a screening signal, not a background check. Maple Care does not supervise the work, set rates or handle payment, and it cannot tell you what your bylaw or insurance requires. Ask our team for our care agreement template to write the schedule down.
Free to post. Your contact details stay private.
Frequently asked questions
Am I liable if someone slips on my property while I am away?
You may be. Homeowners can be held liable for injuries on their property, whether they are home or not. Keeping walkways, steps and driveways cleared and salted lowers the risk. Ask your insurer or broker how your liability coverage applies while you are away.
How soon after a snowfall should the snow be cleared?
If your municipality has a sidewalk clearing bylaw, it sets the deadline, so start there. For your own walkway and steps, sooner is better, before snow is packed into ice. Write the trigger into your agreement, for example after any snowfall over a set depth.
Should the same person check the house and clear snow?
It often works well in winter, since the person is already on site and can spot snow blocking vents, a cold house or a leak. Name each task separately in your agreement, so it is clear what is expected on every visit.
What about my roof during a long winter away?
Ask your checker to look at the roof edge, eavestroughs and ceilings for signs of ice dams or leaks. Do not ask anyone to climb onto a snowy roof without proper equipment and training. If snow load worries you, call a qualified roofer.
Do I need to water my lawn while I am away?
Not always, but gardens and new sod may need it in dry spells. If your municipality has watering restrictions, follow them, and tell whoever is helping what to water and what to leave.
Sources and evidence
Last updated: