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Structural Damage · California Tenant Rights

Are broken or unsafe stairs the landlord’s responsibility?

Unsafe stairs are a serious fall hazard

Yes. California law specifically requires stairways to be kept in good repair, so broken, cracked, loose, or unsafe stairs are the landlord's responsibility — and they are a serious hazard, because a stair failure can cause a bad fall.

Stairs that are cracked, missing steps, rotting, pulling away from the wall, or dangerously slippery are exactly the kind of hazard the habitability standard is meant to prevent. This applies to interior stairs, exterior stairs, and shared stairwells in the building.

A landlord who ignores dangerous stairs is risking a serious injury to tenants or visitors. If someone falls because of unsafe stairs the landlord failed to repair, that can also support a personal injury claim. If your landlord will not repair dangerous stairs, a free, confidential review can help you understand your options — and your rights if someone has already been hurt.

This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.

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