Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California
I am remodling my 2 story rental house. I plan to put laminate flooring upstairs and on the stairs as well. But I was told by the contractor that if I put laminate floors on stairs, in case tenant slip down on the stairs, I could be held liable for lawsuits. Can you tell me if I should be concerned about this? Thanks a lot!
3 Answers from Attorneys
From a legal standpoint, presumably you have insurance so (legally) you would be covered. From a practical standpoint, you don't want anybody to get hurt, and your contractor is in the business of constructing safe staircases. Your lawyer isn't.
I agree that your insurance is the key here. Laminate is reasonably safe, but probably a trifle more slippery than certain alternatives. Using laminate probably won't affect your insurance rate even though your risk will be slightly greater. Laminate is, after all, wood, insofar as its coefficient of friction is concerned. Use it according to the manufacturer's recommendations and keep your insurance paid up.
If your contractor told you it is a safety hazard, and you install it anyway, and someone gets hurt, your insurance claim may be declined.
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