Retaining wall railing?

[Dublin ohio]

Agree, except...



Codes have changed or were non-existent at the time of construction for many homes and doesn't FHA/VA require handrails for interior stairs and exterior stairs in excess of a certain number of steps? It's been 20 years since I've performed an FHA appraisal but I remember they had certain requirements that were non-negotiable.

I've recommended railings for retaining walls even on conventional loans. One step and you fall 6' or more from the lawn to the concrete driveway below that leads to a basement garage or to a walkout basement patio.

Lender/client requirements are different than building codes. Invoking a lender/client requirement is different than trying to apply a building code retroactively

 

[Mark K]

Lender/client requirements are different than building codes. Invoking a lender/client requirement is different than trying to apply a building code retroactively

Absolutely.

However, there are some obvious, significant, safety issues that, IMO, appraisers should address either by making a recommendation or a subject-to- in their report to cover their own azzes.

I appraised a two-story, 8-unit apartment building. 4 down, 4 up, only accessible by a central hallway with one set of stairs in the front. 6 months later, fire that blocked the only egress. Two upstairs tenants broke legs jumping from second story windows due to no secondary egress. I had recommended the owner install a back stairway for emergency egress in my report; bank didn't care and owner didn't do it. It was a 120 yr. old building built with no building codes at the time. I made the recommendation because it was a good idea and for my own liability protection. Owner walked away, bank lost their butts at foreclosure.

I'm not a code cop but I do think we have a responsibility to report things that could get someone hurt.

 

[Fernando]

Lender/client requirements are different than building codes. Invoking a lender/client requirement is different than trying to apply a building code retroactively

Yet appraisers should be aware of local regulations in which certain building codes are required retroactively. At least in SF, commercial appraisers should be aware.

 

[Dublin ohio]

I'm not a code cop but I do think we have a responsibility to report things that could get someone hurt.

I have no problem making recommendations because of obvious safety issues. I just don't think trying to cite a building code that may not be retroactive is a slippery slope.

 

[Zoe]

I have no problem making recommendations because of obvious safety issues. I just don't think trying to cite a building code that may not be retroactive is a slippery slope.

Doesn't matter with VA. VA is the client. VA says if appraiser thinks it is a safety issue, it is required repair.


Do you understand who is in charge?

 

[Dublin ohio]

Doesn't matter with VA. VA is the client. VA says if appraiser thinks it is a safety issue, it is required repair.


Do you understand who is in charge?

You obviously haven't been keeping up. But if you read posts the same way you post. It is understandable