UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello everyone,

We recently moved into this big house converted into 3 separate houses, we have an entrance from the backyard. There are swirling stairs layed with this old carpet, it has holes and very flat and slippery.

I recently slipped on them and have fractured my spine in two places, spent a couple of days in the hospital and been told to wear a brace for 6 weeks. I was just about to start a new job which now been offered to someone else due to my injury and not being able to work.

I asked my landlord to put anti-slippery grips on the stairs and she refused to tell me they're carpeted.

Is there anything I can do? I am just scared to slip on them again or worse scenario when my son fall.

Some ppl tell me to sue her as the stairs is her fault and she hasn't put our deposit in deposit scheme as she is obligated by law.

Thank you 😊

There are two different issues here you must be careful to not conflate. Keep the Deposit to one side, and understand you do not need to do anything urgently with that. The facts will remain the facts, the Landlord cannot change what has happened.

Now, onto the stairs... you had an accident. People have accidents. Whether that be on stairs that are wooden and could be slippy, or carpeted and slippery. But most people don't go installing special things (beyond a handrail?) on their stairs (these "anti-slippery grips") because most people understand stairs... how they work, how to avoid accidents. It's not always the case that someone else is at fault for an unfortunate accident you suffer. Sometimes you can be at fault.

Is there anything you can do? Well, you can supply install the "anti-slippery grips" yourself. If you're that concerned about your own safety, and that of others, then I'm sure you'll jump at the chance of making it safer in your eyes. If that's not really where your concern lies then your actions in this regard will let us know. What we often hear is - "why should I?" - no-one is saying you should, I am saying you could, if it worries you a great deal. I'm not saying you are careless... but it is possible you were unfamiliar with things in your new home, and just unprepared.

I lived in a Sheffield terrace back in 2000... very, very steep stairs, carpet wasn't very grippy either... like a mountain... one evening I semi-ran down them and my feet went out from under me... I broken two rib and it was darned painful... I didn't lose my job or anything, but I regretted my actions and told myself off so many times for running down those stairs (while pissed on a 37.5cl bottle of vodka mixed with orange Tango)... never once did I think of bringing a legal case. As Radiohead sang... I did it to myself, I did...

Footwear is important too.Don't wear mules or flipflops,or glossy tights with bare feet.I had serious injuries too,all my own stupid fault staggering around in the dark with a migraine.I suspect the stairs in my house would no longer be allowed,or the steps up to my house. 

I have been wearing socks when been going downstairs to dress my son to school. We know how to use the stairs but the ones we have now are just slippery. I had fallen and my husband did, I am glad I am the only one with the injury.

Regarding deposit it should been put on the protection schame... just like not giving one meeting readings...

Quote from: Ada23pl on May 13, 2021, 12:53:33 PMRegarding deposit it should been put on the protection schame... just like not giving one meeting readings...

Can you please try this question again?

Yes, with a tenancy, any Deposit you paid should have been put into a Deposit protection scheme, and you should have been told all about it.

Do you mean meter readings? What relevance do they have?

Yeah our deposit hasn't been put on that shame. I was told that Lanlord should give us meter readings on the move, in fact we received one after a month we been there cuz we been asking for it.

You cannot take your own meter readings?

When you end up with a Landlord who doesn't do things by the book, there are some things you can take into your own hands effectively... like meter readings. And, indeed, the stair non-slip grippers (although I don't agree the Landlord is responsible for this). For the Deposit you are correct... but there's no benefit to you acting quickly here... are you aware of the situation... a law has been broken... you can sit back (do not forget it) and act later... all for your own benefit. How much was the Deposit you paid?

It was £650 we paid as a deposit. We asked her if she would i stall anti slippery grips, she refused and that's fair enough. We will move out as soon as our tenancy ends and will take it from there.

She knew the carpet is very old and have holes, can be slippery. I haven't asked her to change the whole carpet but to be safe in the future. As if I slipp and fall again my spine could be completely destroyed.

Definitely worth you installing the anti-slippery grips.