Should we install handrails on our 3-step concrete porches?

Question

Hi, We;ve had our two single story rentals for about 9 months now, and coincidentally, they are both rented to senior citizens. They are not handicap access, nor have we made any claim that they are. The homes have a new, 3 step simple concrete porch with no hand rails. Many of the homes in this area have the exact same steps with No handrails. Since then, both of my tenants have requested hand rails. As I understand wa state law, I am not required to do this, but they are free to add them if they wish. But they won't(they have relatives to help, but they never get around to it), and of course they are only getting older and more fragile with each passing month. and I don't want them to fall!!! If it were your rentals, would you add hand rails to the steps on the porch?

Here's our hesitation:

1. We don't have a hammer drill and have never done this before. (can we get away with a $50 hammer drill, or do we need something more heavy-duty?)

2. We don't want to "train" the renters to expect us to continually handicap-access the home, which would be ongoing, impossible and impractical.

Thoughts? I'm probably just worrying this to death. Thanks, all!

Here's our hesitation:

1. We don't have a hammer drill and have never done this before.  (can we get away with a $50 hammer drill, or do we need something more heavy-duty?)

2.  We don't want to "train" the renters to expect us to continually handicap-access the home, which would be ongoing,  impossible and impractical.

Thoughts?  I'm probably just worrying this to death.  Thanks, all!

Paul Ewing · Answer

My insurance requires hand rails for more than two steps plus railings around the porch.  I am not sure if all do, but it is something to look into.

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

@Dawn Young

whats the down side?  other than a few bucks.. to install them.. I would do it without question

Account Closed · Answer

sounds like a good safety feature to install. see if there's a way to do it with wood somehow.might be a good opportunity to build some good will at a reasonable expense

Michael Herr · Answer

First off,  "step"  is a bit ambiguous.

Number of risers is a better way to discuss this.

Disclaimer: Local codes may be different.

I'm required to have handrails when there are 4 or more risers.

I like to have handrails when there are three or more risers.  That passes the grandma test, section 8 for my area, and frankly I don't understand why code is 4 and not 3.

As to if a $50 hammer drill will work: probably.

Concrete hardens as it ages,  so the newer concrete will be easier to drill into. My $20 Harbor Freight hammer drill with a decent bit works great.

Nathan Duncan · Answer

If it isn't required by law I would install them if the tenant were to cover the cost of installation. They are requesting it after all. I figure by doing this you are showing the tenant you are willing to work with them and by requesting they foot the bill you aren't training them to make ongoing requests.

Account Closed · Answer

Honestly, I learned to resist doing things for "good will," because you are right in thinking that they can start to think you'll say "how high?" when they say jump.

BUT, I would put the railings in because once they've made you aware of a possible accident waiting to happen, you could be found negligent if they fall because you didn't fix it after being made aware of it.

So, yes, I would put up the railings, but only because I might get sued for negligence if they fall and get hurt after requesting them.

Nathan Duncan · Answer

@Cliff Odom

I'm yet to go hungry up here but if I want some heartburn I may look at Texas. Lol

Eventually I will prob invest in some units down there. There are so many markets to choose from that you'd be a fool if you couldn't make a buck or three.

Cliff Odom · Answer

What Nathan says is the answer but there is a little twist on it.  All real estate is local.  You need to find out what is required by law were you are and do that.  Oklahoma is different than Oregon but neither is as good as Texas when you are trying to get rich in real estate.  You both need to move closer to the food.

Angel Rosado · Answer

@Nathan Duncan

I say go with that idea, you may even want to cover some of the bill yourself but you also do not want the tenants to think that they can get everything they want and force you to bear the expenses.

Kevin Smith · Answer

I needed a quick solution for a sick tenant, so I used Rigid galvanized conduit,  2 - 90 deg Elbows and a coupling for the top and one section of pipe cut in half with 2 couplings for the posts. dug post holes beside steps put pipe together making a big U and concreted in at proper Height, it worked great.

Should we install handrails on our 3-step concrete porches?

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