As some here probably know, housing on the Outer Banks is often elevated. LOTS of stairs around here. Hard to find a house without them. It's an issue as you get older - I can testify to that for sure! And you find them in all shapes and sizes and rises.

We have a studio over a garage that was actually built with all proper permits and inspected prior to receiving a Certificate of Occupancy. Yay on that one!

Inspector specifically mentioned existing stairs. Said, "Don't touch them or you'll have to completely re-do them to today's code. They are fine as is."

So we didn't. They are sturdy, but the railings are not child-proof. However it's a studio so no children in there anyway. Older woman has lived in studio for the last few years and does NOT want to leave.

Today I received a text message from a *former* Tenant of the main house (they are still friends so were texting each other) that studio Renter had fallen on the stairs and was badly bruised. She sent me a picture! And yep, her hip and butt are badly bruised. (Can't unsee THAT picture...)

She said Renter didn't want to bother us with it. But former Tenant wanted my husband to go over and check on her "as she is all alone and has no one to help her!" I told her that was inappropriate and not much he could do anyway, but that I would call the Department of Social Services. She texted back, 'OH NO don't do that! But maybe he can do something about the stairs. They are slippery and old."

I texted the current Renter, "K told me you fell. What happened? Are you okay?" She responded, "Slipped on last 3 stairs. It was raining hard. No big deal, I'm okay."

So...Is this a classic slip & fall and they are conspiring on something? Or is this just friends chatting and one got over-zealous on her friend's behalf?

As we get older we fall. well not everyone who falls is old. Our helper who is 19 was horsing around and came running up to the deck. The pads were wet-- he went head first into the wall of the porch.

When he came in he didn't know we saw what happened. Told him if your gonna be stupide-- ya gotta be tough.

Seriously though. There's a paint called anti skid. its paint with sand (yes Roy you can use it on ramps instead of shingles) anyway just for piece of mind when the steps are dry I'd throw a coat of skip paint on them. The skip stuff also comes in sheets you can cut to size for other applications.

I know this is heresy, MYOB, but neither my husband nor I like crabs! Well we love crab, but we don't love PICKING crabs. We are former Yankees - give me a giant Maine Lobster any day.

W,

NEVER ASSUME.

This issue is not over yet. This is a LL's worst nightmare waiting to happen.

Especially when she is sitting at home to heal, watching ads day after day for personal injury lawyers. She is pure gold to them. Old lady hurts hip, Building Inspector documented the steps are out of code, owner has deep pockets with lots of paid for props to take.

SHE might say no big deal but THEY will talk her into suing. They'll convince her you won't be harmed because you have insurance. Besides, she's rich and won't feel the loss. And her grandchildren can use that money for college.

Ask me how I know.

THIS THIS THIS is a HUGE reason I title props in other names and don't brag about being the owner.

I suggest Hubby drop everything and go RIGHT NOW to check the stairs. Double check, tighten up, add supports, add slip resistant paint or strips, take photos to show they are OK AT THIS MOMENT. You need evidence. Take YOUR photos after the repairs, before the attys arrive to take photos of the "out of code" steps.

I would add whatever extra balusters or railings would bring it as close to code as possible, even for children who visit Granny.

And pray.

BRAD

save the "i'm ok text".

Property is owned by LLC but little that matters, Brad. They know we are the owners of the LLC: it's a matter of public record in NC.

ALL of us older people worry about the stairs on the Outer Banks, as Bill/NC said. It's a hazard of living here. We have priced out elevators for our own home a couple of times. Contingency plan would be to move to downstairs apartment and give up that income.

Studio Renter is already somewhat disabled: very heavy with a bad limp, obviously has a bad hip already. But we couldn't refuse to rent to her on that account and she has been there for (three?) years.

the stairs have been identified as an issue, so you need to do something about them. You can try the anti-slip strips, tack down rubber treads or paint anti-slip paint, but you can't do nothing.

I don't know what others would say about notifying your insurance/ agent, since you have been made aware of an incident.

BTW if this renter is aging into 1st fl accomodations, do you have any that you would consider putting her in?

I myself would not worry. With the message she is ok. And it was caused by the rain.

Just think the friend was over protective.

Of course it would be better to have it up to the new codes. But since it happened on bottom 3 steps. You could make an argument to do that to every property.

I am a licensed contractor and builder. What a tenant or an inspector tells me is questionable.

I had an apartment rear stair case that was made up of wood. The paint was pealing and at time was slippery. So I purchased heavy duty plastic type stair treads (non-slip) that screw on top of the steps with a front lip to cover the 2 x 12 treads.

My tenant became a pest and the City inspector ordered new steps.... So I pulled a "Special Permit" and removed the rear steps permanently. He code here is if the unit has less than 1500 square feet, then a rear stair case isn't necessary.

So from a set of good steps with a small issue, to a repair -- just wasn't good enough. So now the tenant has only their front steps and have to walk around the building to get to their parking spot....

I removed my plastic treads and used them on another building.

The tenant now wants new rear steps. So I told them to order pre-cast metal/cement steps and they can pay to have them installed, $10,000... or leave me alone.

Yes save her text but it is meaningless in court.

Court is not about logic or he said/she said. It's about who can yell the loudest and show more compelling evidence.

Slip and Fall attys are like slobbering pitbulls without a chain. They get 30-50% of the settlement.I

In this case the law and evidence is on THEIR side.

Please do a little work to protect yourself

If nothing else it will help you keep a res and help prevent another fall.

We want you around to make more great posts!

BRAD

You should of grip striped the risers from the start.

Rocking Bear, why? Do you grip stripe all stairs? Or how long do they have to be before you do that?

Absolutely save the text conversation, and go make sure there is anti-slip surface of some type on the steps.

I'm afraid Brad is right.

You can't undo what has happened. You can change the future. You might want to hit up a flooring specialist and tell them that you have wooden steps that get slippery when they are wet.