Is a railing needed?

[Debra Carter]

I was asked by a realtor if a raling is needed in the stairwell to an unfinished attic. There is no door at the bottom of the stairs, the stairwell is open to the rooms on the first floor & leads up with a full flight of stirs to the unfinished attic. The attic is not considered a livable/usable room and is not included a GLA. Does FHA require a railing in a stairwell? Thanks

 

[CANative]

the stairwell is open to the rooms on the first floor & leads up with a full flight of stirs to the unfinished attic.

I'd condition the appraisal on installation of a hand rail.

 

[Happy Val]

I do not believe a railing is required as long as it follows the 3 s rule.

 

[Riick]

I do not believe a railing is required as long as it follows the 3 s rule.

Well I feel safe sound and secure, but I'm somebody who finds walking a high wire fun.
...

 

[Debra Carter]

I kinda thought it could be a safety issue since there is no door at the foot to block access. I haven't been to the home yet to see for myself. The home is a foreclosure & the bank won't pay for repairs, so the realtor is trying to have the buyer do what will be called for repairs before I go. Of course, buyers are always at risk of losing out if they put $ in before the close & it never closes.

 

[james stephens]

From FHA Manual 4150.2

16. Other Health And Safety Deficiencies
The appraiser must note and make a repair requirement for any health or safety
deficiencies as they relate to the subject property, including:​

o broken windows, doors or steps
o inadequate or blocked doors
o steps without a handrail
o others​

 

[CANative]

That section of 4150.2 was superceded by ML2005-48.

See the repair requirements (page 2)...

Handrails are specifically mentioned as not being subject to a repair requirement.

http://www.HUD.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/files/05-48ml.pdf

These types of things are now subject to a judgment call by the appraiser and the lender.

 

[Debra Carter]

I have the manual from when I took the FHA course in 2006. The line for the handrail was crossed out in my book because it is no longer required.

 

[james stephens]

That section of 4150.2 was superceded by ML2005-48.

See the repair requirements (page 2)...

Handrails are specifically mentioned as not being subject to a repair requirement.

http://www.HUD.gov/offices/adm/hudcl...es/05-48ml.pdf

These types of things are now subject to a judgment call by the appraiser and the lender

I stand corrected. I knew I read something more recently about handrails, but couldn't place it.

Thanks

 

[CANative]

Typically (from my own observations) staircases to attics are narrow and steep and sometimes the risers are not to code (too low or too high). It's not so bad going up, but going down there is a pretty serious risk of missing a step with nothing to hold on to and breaking your neck.

I wouldn't hesitate to call for hand rails if such a condition existed.