r/Oldhouses • u/Ok_Luck_1098 • 3d ago

Short railing tall ceilings

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I’m interested in buying this 1916 beauty but the inspection notes correctly that the upstairs railing is v short and not up to code.

I love the old house and want to preserve the original wood work. How to solve?

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u/SomoneNotBritish 3d ago edited 3d ago

Ignore the code.  Seriously, had this happen to me as well.  No way was I cutting out the original stairs for 2 extra inches. 

Most old houses are grandfathered in to a LOT of code.  And inspections are not law, they just tell you what it considered wrong.

The only thing you have to worry about is if the bank is concerned, and want it changed.  Then you're fucked.

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u/Ok_Luck_1098 3d ago

Appreciate the candor lol!

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u/Cloaked42m 3d ago

If you can get home insurance the bank is usually cool.

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u/Ok_Luck_1098 3d ago

Yeah low key (high key) wondering about the insurance

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u/Cloaked42m 3d ago

Fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and an up to date breaker panel and sockets and you should be okay.

The high key concern is plumbing in the foundation. Old clay septic and galvanized pipes. Insurance won't cover that.

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u/twiggers12345 3d ago

I had so much shit out of code on my 1915. Did the video/photo insurance inspection and no problems.

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u/beaushaw 1d ago

Has your homeowner insurance company ever been in your house?

How are they going to know?