No handrail on stairs in rented house

cstreet

I have just moved into a rented house. The stairs are enclosed with walls either side but there is no handrail. I have a toddler who would struggles without the rail. I am also heavily pregnant and find it very difficult with no support. I'm nervous about carrying a newborn up and down stairs with no rail.

The day we lived in I asked the landlord to install one, she says she doesn't want to. A week later I asked again pointing out my specific concerns including I had 2 small slips (nothing serious but nothing to hold on to). She has just replied "With there being a wall either side we don't feel it's necessary and with the new tenancy to get the house right we have had lots of outlay in getting the house up to a good standard so this still isn't something we want done".

Is there anything more I can do?
Thanks in advance.

G_M

Offer to pay to have a handrail installed if the LL will give permission.

Or install a handrail, and then remove it and make good any damage when the tenancy ends.

LittleMax

You could ask if the LL would give permission for you to install a rail at your own expense.

Edit - Great minds...

Mojisola

cstreet wrote: »

I have just moved into a rented house. The stairs are enclosed with walls either side but there is no handrail.

Didn't you notice this before you chose this house to rent?

discat11

As the two posters said above, the onus is on the tenant to install (with permission) rather than the LL.
Presumably you looked over the property before taking on the tenancy and therefore you had the choice to accept it as it was or not?

I know this sounds a little harsh but the LL is presumably renting the property to make money and part of that is not spending money where it simply doesn't need to be spent from their perspective.

G_M

Mojisola wrote: »

Didn't you notice this before you chose this house to rent?

I nearly asked this quesion in my post but felt the answer was self-evident!

whitewing

Buy a handrail kit for £65 from b and q and see if the landlord will install if they have diy skills. It's a compromise. And don't take it with you when you leave in this circumstance.

theartfullodger

Ask landlord to fix one. If he won't involve council & request HHSRS survey. From memory handrails is noted as an issue.

Expect to (eventually) get evicted for your pains.

Next time, as indicated, engage brain & eyes before signing (apologies for bluntness)

Money_maker

Many homes don't have a handrail. Teach your toddler to come down backwards if that's easier. Not sure why an adult would struggle to move up and down a staircase without a handrail even if pregnant.

cstreet

It just didn't cross my mind to see if there was a handrail I'm afraid, I don't think I realised it was an important feature to us. Live and learn I guess!

I'm happy to fund this myself if necessary. Just wondered if there was any legislation regarding handrails in stairs that would apply. House was built in 1970's if that makes any difference.

Thrugelmir

Landlords have a legal responsibility to provide safe accommodation for their tenants. Tenant could claim for a trip or fall under the Landlords public liability insurance. Given the prior correspondence would the insurer accept the claim?