Penna Hand Railing

[msgreenleaf]

In the state of Penn. Does the law require me to have hand rails on my outside steps. I am thinking about buying a house that does not have railings, if someone falls and get hurt can they sue me?

Thanks

[Judge]

If someone falls at your home and gets hurt they can sue you. If the Court determines that you failed to have hand rails when you were required to do so, then you will lose. If there is no requirement to have hand rails, then you win. chek with your building department in your city or county. they can quickly tell you if hand rails are required.

[S.gregoryJ]

I am unsure about the hand rail requirement for private residences by state statute, but it may be law at the local level. The present owner may be "grandfathered in" depending upon when the current owner bought the house and when the local statute became law, if there is one. Regardless of the statute, your lender will probably require railings before they will write the paper; Your home owner's insurance company definitely will.