Landlord Stairway and Handrail Issues After a Fall

Stairs concentrate risk

Missing handrails, uneven risers, poor lighting, and worn treads appear again and again in fall reports. Photograph measurements if you can do so safely — riser height differences are hard to show without a reference.

Lease and control

Who controlled the stairwell — landlord, tenant, or association — affects duties. Guests may still have claims depending on state law and the property’s maintenance responsibilities.

Building codes as context

Code violations can be persuasive evidence of unreasonableness, but codes vary and not every deviation proves a case. A qualified professional may need to evaluate compliance.