Low headroom in a stairway. Major problem or no?

Question

I have a choice between two cape cod homes that are otherwise about the same.  One has low headroom in the stairway going upstairs to two bedrooms, with the master bedroom on the first floor.  How much of an issue is it that tenants have to duck their head down to 5 feet entering the stairway?  Is it worth buying for a price of 15000 less than a similar home without the issue?  Have any of you dealt with a property that had this issue?

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

If the headroom is that low (requirement is 6’8”) sounds like it was done without a permit.  It’s a bad code violation.  When I decide if a tenant will be bothered by something, I look at it if I were renting it with my family how would I look at it. I would pick the one without the 5 foot headroom.

Daniel K. · Answer

Yes definitely not to code.  Apparently it's the ceiling that's the problem, so it basically isn't fixable. Looks like a pass indeed.  Thanks for the input everyone.

Theresa Harris · Answer

The bigger question is can you increase the head room for less than $15K?  What is above the staircase that is limiting the height?  If it is a closet, can you raise the ceiling in the stairs/the floor above it and make a 'bench' in that part of the closet (not for actual sitting, but raise the floor and maybe add shelves above it so it doesn't stand out)?

Andrew S. · Answer

6ft headroom is very annoying for a lot of people, but 5 ft is ridiculous!  Code is often 6'8' or more.

Colleen F. · Answer

Unless it depresses the price and is an easy fix I would pass.  Its worth it to take on someone else's problem if you can fix it and make a profit on that fix.  As far as leaving it be its not worth it.    I would actually take a short house over a staircase like this that can't be fixed.  You just rent or sell a short house to smaller people. Staircases everyone thinks they can live with it and they really can't.

Patricia Steiner · Answer

Geez...I hate that issue and for a lot of reasons:

1. Expect wall/ceiling damage.  Getting furniture up and down is a low staircase is just problematic.

2.  Expect one term tenants.  What starts out annoying becomes unbearable over time.

3.  Expect potential insurance claims. As a landlord, you bear liability for injuries caused by unsafe conditions (or at least that's what attorney's advertise).

I recommend finding a solution to the issue before purchasing - or passing on it.  It's not worth the downside and the first guy who doesn't duck in time could be a problem costing more than $15k.

Fun, huh?

Joseph Cacciapaglia · Answer

I had one rental property with low stairway clearance. This will limit your tenant pool by a decent amount. There are a lot of tall people out there that don't want to live with that. Another problem with low clearance on a stairway is that it makes it difficult, if not impossible, to move furniture to the second floor. Someone assembled a snap together piece of furniture on my second floor. One of those pieces that's not meant to take apart after the initial assembly. They ended up leaving it when they moved out because they couldn't get it down the stairs, and the only way to get it out was to smash it to pieces.

Low headroom in a stairway. Major problem or no?

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