Snow-Clearing and Gritting Duty on Moving Day: Who Is Responsible?
Clarify winter service
Cleared paths for your winter move
Clarify beforehand who clears
On a winter move, movers often carry heavy furniture dozens of times across the pavement, courtyard and stairs. Whether these paths are cleared and gritted is therefore no minor matter. The owner is usually responsible, often also the tenants under the tenancy agreement or a commissioned caretaker service. Clarify beforehand who clears at your old and new address – Beste Umzug Unternehmen asks about this during the survey. You can read more about the process under Private move.
On moving day itself, the walkway and loading area should be free of snow. Have chippings or sand ready – road salt is banned on pavements in Berlin. On request we apply for the parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) early so that the van stands close to the door. We give you the fixed price after the survey so that your winter move stays predictable.
A winter move with short, safe routes
Fixed price after a survey, parking restriction
The shorter and safer the route from the house to the van, the faster and gentler your winter move. Call us on 01625978461: we look at the routes during the survey and give you a fixed price. Whether a private move or a long-distance move – we advise you without obligation.
Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.
How we ensure safe walkways
Agreement before the first box
Slippery pavements are the biggest risk to carriers and furniture on a winter move. During the survey we look at the route from the front door to the load bed, ask about caretaker or winter services and, if necessary, set up a parking restriction zone so that the van is close. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21), give you the fixed price after the survey and are liable for your belongings under the German Commercial Code (HGB).
Packing service
Office move
Senior moves
Furniture transport
What we look out for in icy conditions
Safe paths are the precondition for a safe winter move. We clarify in advance who clears, keep the walkway short and adapt pace and order to the weather – so that nobody falls and nothing is dropped.
Responsibility clarified
Short walkway
Grit instead of salt
Adjusted pace
Mats in the entrance
Replanning in black ice
Part loads in snow and ice
For a few pieces of furniture or boxes, a part load is an affordable solution: your goods travel on a planned tour. In winter it helps if you plan collection and delivery at places without long, slippery paths and clear the entrance beforehand or have it cleared.
Clear,
grit, move
This part of our winter series is about the paths around the building: who has to clear the pavement, courtyard and entrance, from what time, and what may be used for gritting? The duty usually lies with the owner but can be transferred to tenants by the tenancy agreement. On moving day, what matters most is that the route to the van is safe. Whether a small private move or a move across several federal states – with clear agreements the day stays safe.
Who has to clear
Walkway and loading area
Costs and tax
Frequently asked questions about clearing and gritting duty when moving
Who has to clear and grit
For public pavements, the municipality usually transfers the clearing and gritting duty by by-law to the owners of the adjacent properties. They often pass it on to tenants or a caretaker service via the tenancy agreement; a mere notice in the house rules is not sufficient for this. In Berlin the owner remains responsible even if they commission a company. The duty often applies on working days from 7 am and on Sundays and public holidays from 9 am until 8 pm; the local regulation is what counts.
In Berlin, gritting is done with chippings or sand, because road salt is banned on pavements. Anyone who culpably breaches the duty may be liable in the event of a fall (§ 823 BGB).
On moving day: walkway, loading area and agreements
Even if the pavement has been cleared: for the move you need more space. Clear the route from the entrance to the van wide enough for two carriers, as well as the area behind the loading edge. Speak to the caretaker or neighbours beforehand so that the courtyard is not blocked by parked cars or snowed in, and keep chippings and a snow shovel ready.
A parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) directly in front of the house significantly shortens the route over ice. You can claim a privately commissioned winter service as a household-related service (§ 35a EStG) – more in the article Claiming moving costs against tax.
Costs of a move in winter
- House/villa: individual quote
- 4-room flat: from €1,344
- 3-room flat: from €884
- 2-room flat: from €615
- 1-room flat: from €344
We also handle long-distance moves – from €3.90/km. For an exact quote we recommend a free survey on site.
How we calculate your winter move
First we determine the volume of your belongings, then the distance (from €3.90/km). The floor and lift determine the staffing required, while a parking restriction zone saves time. If needed, we add a part load.
Services for safe moving days
All services at a glance
Whether private or business – we have the right solution for every moving situation.
- Company relocation: Minimal downtime, maximum efficiency for your business.
- Private move: Your move into a new home – stress-free and reliable.
- House clearance: Household clearances and decluttering from a single source.
- Move with assembly: From dismantling to assembly – everything from a single source.
- Furniture transport: We carry bulky furniture safely over stairs and pavements, in winter too.
- Part load: You share the cargo space and save hard cash.
Winter moves from Berlin – nationwide
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and travel nationwide in winter too. Destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview; for long distances and planning at both addresses, read more under Long-distance moves.
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