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While many items are at the appraiser's discretion, missing or loose handrails on staircases fall under 'safety/habitability' standards and we've had to have them fixed before.

Another issue is peeling paint where a home is of the age that LBP applies. I will never forget being on a little stepladder in my cute summer sandals on the DAY OF CLOSE with a wire brush because the lender decided at the eleventh hour that those paint peels needed to be scraped off. ALSO, that there was a faulty grade on one side of the house - where the wind CONTINUALLY blows dust and sand. So I was pulling that back with a shovel that day too. LOL the appraiser showed up for 2 minutes, said okay thank you and they closed it that day. 

#WhyIDoCOMMERCIAL LOL

I don't know if the FHA appraiser/inspector "requires" handrails, but it's one of those things that has been called-out in many of the FHA inspections that have been conducted on listings of mine.

They are also pretty specific about peeling lead-based paint, trip-hazards (such as serious cracks in sidewalks), notable foundation issues, etc.

Of course regular inspectors call these things out, too... but the difference, at least in my opinion, is that a regular inspector doesn't "require" that those issues be resolved (often by the seller and by the seller ONLY) prior to closing, with re-inspection to confirm... or the loan cannot be made.  I think that's the tougher part.

What a good question let's find out

FHA does concentrate on safety issues. The ones I have seen most are:

-Missing handrails.

-Chipped/peeling paint.

-Broken windows

-Trip hazards i.e., concrete sidewalks and walkways.

-Up-to-date smoke/fire detectors.

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If the above items are up to date, getting a good FHA appraisal usually isn't challenging.

Note: BUT...Some appraisers are more strict than others.

I have to say yes, I had one guy that insisted that we had handrails going down to the basement, first time for me.

From my experience, yes.  There are requirements with FHA that are not called for with a conventional loan.  Handrails is one of them.

Our state of CT code requires handrails. Inspectors point that out. I would think that a bank or FHA would want its collateral in compliance with local building/safety codes. Perhaps the FHA requirements vary by state?

In my experience it depends.  Just had a house with ONE 6 inch step from garage to kitchen, no rail required.  but I think if it's more than 18 inches.  Generally speaking you find out when appraisal is done what is needed.  Window screens used to be required, but in my market that seems to be gone by the way side.

Loose handrails are an accident waiting to happen and tightening them up would be required to pass FHA standards. Best to contact a lender who knows the in's and out's of all FHA requirements, Khash.

If it's 3' of stairs, I believe they do. I only know that if it relates to safety, most of the FHA inspectors are big sticklers. 

The easy way to respond is to agree with my neighbor to the north Alan May and move on!

I've gotten busted for a loose handrail at the top of the stairs. Seller had to fix before close.

Calling Caroline Gerardo lender extraordinaire to respond. 

Handrails make sense.  Let's face it, even with them there are still people who cannot walk up stairs without falling down.  Just saying!  

I had a buyer purchase a home in Chapel Hill with a sunken living room. FHA did require handrails since it was over 4'. She got a great deal on the house and the seller wouldn't pay to add them. She had to pay someone to add handrails that she didn't want. So, from my experience, the answer is yes if there is 4' or more difference from one level to the next.

I have had FHA and VA require handrails, peeling and chipped paint, broken windows and also if the outdoor lights don't have glass on them.   I make sure these are done prior to the appraiser arriving.

Building codes require them here. It's just common sense to have handrails for safety.

The govt does tend to micromanage and require things that the buyer may not care about.

I would expect the answer to be a strong YES.

Incorrectly installed handrails are a no no. But I've not seen "no handrails" listed. 

They don't like peeling paint. 

And your chimney should be in good shape.  It's good to have a chimney swept if it's a wood burning one. 

Health and safety code violations must be brought to code for an FHA loan.

FHA underwriting rules do not require handrails. HUD doesn't say they are required. It is the appraiser's job to determine if they are needed for safety. I would venture to say that 99% of licensed appraisers are going to require a handrail if there are more than four stairs as most people do not just let their hand float over the handrail like Scarlett O'Hara (sorry if dating myself). Most appraisers are cautious of their license and don't know if someone old or whose middle name is not Grace like me on the stairs, so they note that they see it as a safety issue.

State code rules also come in to play so for Ohio your state  Ohio does require a handrail when there are two or more “risers”. For clarification, a “riser” is the vertical portion of a stair. The “tread” is the top of a step. A two riser minimum would translate to two steps.  Any railing that is loose or broken will need to be repaired so that a person can safely hold the rail to go up or down. Guard height minimum 36 inches, on a stair between 34 and 38 inches, they should be able to take the force of 200 pounds, they only need to be on one side of the wall, they can stick out 4 1/2 inches, be continuous for the full stair length...

Does an old house have to meet safety codes? Well no, but it might not make the cut for health and safety codes that the appraiser who is the eyes of the bank/lender/investor/ and HUD. 

Since once the appraiser wrote his requirement and the appraisal sticks to the subject for 240 days you cannot just get a new appraisal. The case number on the legal address will show on any subsequent application or other borrowers as well.

Solution: 

Install a railing 

OR change to conventional, order new appraisal and hope your appraisal management system doesn't flag the address... in other words gamble 

BUT now that you know an expert thinks it needs a railing if someone falls on the stairs you may be liable.... there's that.

Back to my answer: install a railing.

I do believe it is a federal guideline and a safety hazard not to have a handrail but I am not sure by how many stairs 

My first inclination was yes since it could be viewed as a safety issue. I mean, they ding you if there's peeling paint

Per the CE class I am currently doing this is what was said about handrails on As-Is properties. I can't find anything about handrails in HUD Handbook 4000.1, to this point.

"The appraiser may complete an “as-is” appraisal for existing properties when minor property deficiencies (such as minor deferred maintenance and wear and tear items) do not affect the health and safety of the occupants or the security and soundness of the property. 

The Handbook states, “Cosmetic/minor repairs are not required; however, the Appraiser must report and consider them in the overall condition when rating and valuing the Property.”  [Emphasis added]

Examples of these items include missing handrails that do not pose a threat to safety, holes in window screens, and defective interior paint surfaces on homes that were constructed after 1978, and other inoperable or damaged components that do not (in the appraiser's professional judgment) pose a health or safety issue to the occupants of the dwelling."