Unsafe Floors and Stairs: Is the Landlord Responsible?
Driscoll Kingston & Co Limited · 1 August 2026 · 7 min read
Which floor and stair defects may be the landlord's responsibility?
Structural floors and staircases commonly fall within repairing or fitness duties. Liability for carpets and finishes depends on ownership, the tenancy, the underlying cause and whether the tenant caused the damage.
How are fall hazards assessed?
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System includes falls on level surfaces, falls on stairs and falls between levels. Officers consider factors such as damaged surfaces, lighting, stair dimensions, handrails and guarding—not merely whether a fall has already happened.
How should I report the danger?
Identify the exact location, movement or breakage and who is particularly at risk. Photograph it from a safe position, request a make-safe visit and keep previous repair reports. Do not lift boards or dismantle stairs to investigate.
What if the landlord blames the tenant?
Cause is evidence-sensitive. Preserve check-in records, earlier photos, leak or pest reports and contractor findings. Normal wear, structural decay, accidental damage and deliberate damage can lead to different outcomes.
What if someone has been injured?
Seek medical care and record the accident promptly. Keep photographs, witness details and communications, but prioritise treatment. Injury must be medically and legally linked to the defect; read the personal injury guide.
Does Awaab's Law cover unsafe floors and stairs?
The Phase 2 hazard list from 30 November 2026 includes falls (described in the guidance as falls on the level, including falls on stairs and falls between levels) where they present a significant risk of harm. For significant hazards the guidance sets 10 working days to investigate and 5 working days to make safe once the investigation concludes; emergency hazards need action within 24 hours. Phase 2 applies to registered providers of social housing in England, not to private landlords, and existing repair, fitness and council-enforcement duties apply now. Source: GOV.UK, Awaab's Law Phase 2 guidance for social landlords. Read the Awaab's Law deadlines guide.
This article provides general legal information only. It does not constitute legal advice on any specific case. Awaab's Law Claims Specialists is a trading name of Driscoll Kingston & Co Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 839699).