In German towns, the sidewalk in front of a house becomes the owner’s responsibility in winter. The towns pass the duty to keep it safe to the owners by local statute. Owners must clear the snow and spread grit, typically from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday. An owner can pass the duty on to the tenants, but only with a clear clause in the lease. A notice in the stairwell is not enough. If someone falls on a sidewalk that was not cleared, the person who had the duty pays damages and compensation for pain and suffering.