Baby Gate Placement

[Tom E.]

Hello STR Forum,

I have a stairway in my main area of my STR that I'm considering placing a baby gate. From a legal perspective, my understanding is anything less than building code (wall mounted) leaves me liable for injury. In fact, I'm better off just leaving it open and anyone with children can just figure it out. As a parent myself, I have gotten creative over the years from luggage to various furnishings acting as the block for my children when in other STRs. Now that I own one I think it would be nice to install one. I'm have a unique metal/modern railing (would love to not drill into) and a wall with a conveniently placed stud on the other side that I could easily anchor a gate to.

My question is what have people done in this scenario? Any ideas for gates that I could easily pull out of there leaving only the anchors. I would find it inconvenient for people without kids to have to open the gate each time to access the laundry room and garage which are on the lower level. 

Thanks! 

[Andrew Steffens]

I would either do it professionally, or not at all.  We have some houses with stairs and also a guest agreement and verbiage in listings with pools, stairs, etc to try to absolve from liability.  I can only see a guest having a claim if the stairs are in poor condition, etc - but then again it depends on state and I am not an attorney.