Rochester’s housing stock includes older multifamily buildings, row-style layouts, and properties that handle heavy seasonal weather. That combination can increase the odds of stair and landing hazards, such as:
- Worn or uneven treads in entry stairs and interior stairwells
- Loose or inconsistent handrails (especially where renovations are incomplete)
- Poor lighting in basements, shared landings, and common areas
- Salt, slush, or debris tracked in during winter and cleaned inconsistently
- Cluttered landings during busy moving seasons (common in apartments and rentals)
When a hazard is foreseeable—because it’s a repeated maintenance issue—the law can hold the responsible party accountable if they failed to take reasonable steps.


