Require Handrail Or Not?

[JSmith43]

Judgement call. Some little kid might crawl off the edge, so I'd make sure there were no upward facing spikes set into the concrete below.

The UW gets to make the call, IMO. However, the appraiser should include a cost to cure & therefore has to come up with a proposed solution.

I suppose, wood spindles, properly gapped, would look OK. Plastic or safety glass, OK. Heck, a cargo net properly stretched out, might look OK & not affect marketability.

Rubber wrestling mat below? Some kids would consider the open stairs a feature. Judgement call.

I think the 2005 mortgagee letters were a step in the right direction & could have gone further in letting the general public dial in their own level of acceptable risk. No one is going to be there to stop their kids from shoving paper clips into outlets, playing with matches, etc. If the risk is obvious to the general public & unacceptable, it will be converted into dollars and cents in offers & the buyer will do something about the problem or the seller will preemptively fix it in order to obtain maximum $$ upon sale.

Let the market decide, would be my preference. Under the current paradigm, disclose, quantify potential repair, let the UW decide, look for new client, just in case

 

[Mr Rex]

Judgement call. Some little kid might crawl off the edge, so I'd make sure there were no upward facing spikes set into the concrete below.

The UW gets to make the call, IMO. However, the appraiser should include a cost to cure & therefore has to come up with a proposed solution.

I suppose, wood spindles, properly gapped, would look OK. Plastic or safety glass, OK. Heck, a cargo net properly stretched out, might look OK & not affect marketability.

Rubber wrestling mat below? Some kids would consider the open stairs a feature. Judgement call.

I think the 2005 mortgagee letters were a step in the right direction & could have gone further in letting the general public dial in their own level of acceptable risk. No one is going to be there to stop their kids from shoving paper clips into outlets, playing with matches, etc. If the risk is obvious to the general public & unacceptable, it will be converted into dollars and cents in offers & the buyer will do something about the problem or the seller will preemptively fix it in order to obtain maximum $$ upon sale.

The new outlets required by most codes have a safety feature that will require some effort from ambitious young electrical engineers. (I was one myself)

http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?...rical/Tamper-resistant electrical receptacles

 

[JSmith43]

The new style outlets are a great idea.

BTW, I gave my view on the stairway as to what the appraiser is to do based upon my reading of the mortgagee letters. However, after something bad happens somewhere, certain factions all lose their minds and will spin it against the appraiser not making a hard call. The disclosure may or may not be enough of a safety net for that particular appraiser, at least until calm is restored & it again becomes politically acceptable for people to think for themselves to a certain measured degree.

 

[Mr Rex]

They are a PIA, believe me you don't want them. Nanny state run amuck.

FWIW, My prior post re: requiring rails if over 8-9 risers is from the current valuation FAQ.

 

[JSmith43]

They are a PIA, believe me you don't want them. Nanny state run amuck.

FWIW, My prior post re: requiring rails if over 8-9 risers is from the current valuation FAQ.

PITA? I think you could defeat the outlet with a paper clip in each hand, with the added bonus that the 120 volt current would no doubt disrupt your internal organs which rely on stable electrolytic properties.:laugh:

The FAQ said probably and it said without a rail, which it did have. The jury is out.

 

[Mr Rex]

It has a handrail on the side that is not open.

 

[nicholz12]

They shouldn't allow anyone down those stairs... like a child that could fall, an elderly person, someone on meds... only physically 'fit'adults should be able to walk those stairs, that's it.

 

[nicholz12]

Mighty agreeable today, Can!



NICHOLZ: CODE Shmode. FORGET about code for heavens sake. FHA DOES NOT require code compliance (I get so tired of writing that). This is SUCH a non issue. Even our newest member, SHARONTONY in post 3 nails it.

HUD states that the LENDER must read the report, ascertain if any conditions require repairs or inspection, and require immediate repair or inspection where the property condition poses a threat to the above criteria (safety of the occupants or the security and soundness of the property).

Photograph it, report it, and let the stinking underwriter decide.

THAT is how FHA wants it done.

Not to mention:

You said it all... Amen to that,
esp let the 'stinking' underwriter decide...

 

[Kevin Mc]

Underwriter's call, .

 

[GCJim]

Rip out those stairs before someone gets killed or maimed, I say, and install an elevator.