# Stair bannister/rail

**URL:** <https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/stair-bannister-rail/21652>\
**Category:** Landlord Discussion\
**Created:** [8 April 2021 19:13 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/stair-bannister-rail/21652 "2021-04-08T19:13:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Perkins16875](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/perkins16875/32/450_2.png) [@Perkins16875](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Perkins16875)\
**Post date:** [8 April 2021 19:13 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/stair-bannister-rail/21652/1 "2021-04-08T19:13:39Z")

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Hi all,

When we started renting we had no banister on the bottom half of the staircase. The tenant had a small child and asked us to erect a temporary balustrade. Which we did. Now that her child is older, the tenant has now asked if this can be removed due to restricting the light.  
Just wondered where we stood from a liability point of view. Does anyone know if we are obliged to ensure a banister is present along the stair case?

Many thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![Colin3](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/colin3/32/450_2.png) [@Colin3](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Colin3)\
**Post date:** [8 April 2021 19:23 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/stair-bannister-rail/21652/2 "2021-04-08T19:23:18Z")

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all steps must have a handrail, How can a handrail restrict light. ?

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**Author:** ![Perkins16875](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/perkins16875/32/450_2.png) [@Perkins16875](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Perkins16875)\
**Post date:** [8 April 2021 21:53 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/stair-bannister-rail/21652/3 "2021-04-08T21:53:21Z")

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Hi. It does have a handrail on the wall side. We erected a partial partition previously on the other open side when the tenant requested it.

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**Author:** ![David122](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/david122/32/1449_2.png) [@David122](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/David122)\
**Post date:** [9 April 2021 09:38 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/stair-bannister-rail/21652/4 "2021-04-09T09:38:05Z")

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I suggest it needs a permanent secure bannister and there are options which don’t restrict the light.

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**Author:** ![Colin3](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/colin3/32/450_2.png) [@Colin3](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Colin3)\
**Post date:** [9 April 2021 16:00 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/stair-bannister-rail/21652/5 "2021-04-09T16:00:05Z")

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put spindles in its place

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**Author:** ![system](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/system/32/11_2.png) [@system](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/system)\
**Post date:** [9 August 2022 12:52 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/stair-bannister-rail/21652/6 "2022-08-09T12:52:30Z")

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