Snow and Ice Removal Responsibilities in Nunavut

Living in Nunavut means long winters and heavy snowfall. As a tenant, you need to know who is responsible for removing snow and ice on sidewalks, entrances and shared walkways to reduce slip hazards and maintain habitability. This article explains typical responsibilities of landlords and tenants under Nunavut rules, when to report unsafe conditions, how to document problems, and practical steps to request repairs or access dispute processes. It also highlights relevant official forms and where to find them, and offers tips for staying safe and protecting your rights during winter. Use these plain-language steps to manage maintenance issues without delay and to preserve a safe rental home.

Who is responsible for snow and ice removal?

In Nunavut, responsibility often depends on where the hazard appears and what your lease says. Landlords are usually required to keep common areas and building entrances safe, while tenants may be asked to keep immediate unit entrances or private walkways clear. Always check your lease for any clauses on winter maintenance and mutual obligations. If your lease is unclear or silent, start by asking the landlord to clarify and to arrange removal for shared areas as part of ongoing maintenance duties described in territorial rules ^[1].

Typical responsibilities

• Landlord maintenance: clear shared walkways, building entrances and communal stairs promptly after storms to reduce risk.
• Tenant maintenance: clear the immediate entrance to your unit if the lease assigns that duty and keep it free of ice where safe to do so.
• Lease-based rules: follow explicit lease clauses about snow removal, and get any non-standard obligations explained in writing.

When to report unsafe conditions

Report dangerous ice or packed snow as soon as you notice it. If a landlord does not act within a reasonable time after being told, escalate the issue to the official dispute process or a local authority for orders or inspections. Always keep a record of the report and the time you made it.

How to document and keep records

Good documentation makes it easier to get repairs or an order. Keep dated photos, short notes about time and location, copies of messages to your landlord, and witness information if someone saw the hazard. These records help if you need to apply for an order or defend a complaint.

• Take photos and video: include the date and show the exact hazard and its relation to entrances or sidewalks.
• Send written requests: email or text the landlord and keep a copy of the message and any reply.
• Note response time: record when you reported the issue and how quickly the landlord followed up.

Official forms and how to use them

Two kinds of official forms are commonly used when snow or ice creates a dispute: a tenancy dispute application and formal repair request forms. The exact names or numbers for these forms vary; check the territorial government and court resources for the latest versions ^[1][2].

• Tenancy dispute application (name/number varies): use this to ask a tribunal or court to order repairs or clear a hazard when the landlord won’t act. Example: if shared entry steps stay icy after 48 hours and the landlord does not respond, file the dispute application to request an order for removal.
• Repair or maintenance request form (if provided by landlord or housing provider): use this to create a dated, written record asking for snow or ice removal; attach photos and request a reply within a reasonable time.

Practical steps if your landlord doesn’t act

1. Notify the landlord in writing and keep a copy of the message and timestamp.
2. Gather evidence: photos, video, and witness statements showing the hazard and any injuries or close calls.
3. Contact local tenant help or the territorial office that handles housing disputes for guidance and next steps ^[2].
4. File a formal dispute application if required, attaching your documentation and the written requests to the landlord.

FAQ

Who pays for snow removal if the lease is silent?

If the lease is silent, responsibility usually follows common-sense lines: landlords maintain shared and building-wide areas; tenants clear private entrances. If unclear, use written requests and, if needed, the territorial dispute process.

Can a landlord make a tenant remove snow from shared walkways?

A landlord should not assign unsafe or unreasonable maintenance to a tenant. Any such obligation must be clear in the lease and safe to perform; otherwise the landlord is expected to arrange professional removal.

What if I slip and get injured on ice at my rental?

Seek medical care first. Then document the scene, report the incident to the landlord in writing, and keep copies of medical reports. You may also seek advice about compensation or orders through the territory’s dispute process.

How-To

1. Document the hazard: take clear photos or video showing location, depth of ice or snow, and any blocked exits.
2. Notify the landlord in writing: include the photos, exact location, and a requested timeline for removal.
3. If no response, contact the territorial housing or tenant help office for guidance and next steps.
4. File a dispute application with the tribunal or court if the landlord fails to act and the hazard remains dangerous.

Help and Support / Resources

• Nunavut Court of Justice (tenancy disputes and hearings)
• Government of Nunavut 96 Housing and Residential Tenancies (information and forms)
• Nunavut Housing Corporation (tenant safety and winter maintenance guidance)

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1. [1] Residential Tenancies Act (Government of Nunavut)
2. [2] Nunavut Court of Justice (official court site)
3. [3] Nunavut Housing Corporation (official forms and guidance)

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