Don't apartments have to have 2 escape routes?
My landlord put a ramp over my back stairs with a sign that says "NO TRESPASSING- for wheel chairs only" and said that no one could use the back stairs except for the man in the house who is in a wheel chair. However, before that we always used to use the back door. The back door (which we can no longer use) and the front door are the only ways in and out of the house. I live in Massachusetts and I always thought that it was a law that there has to be 2 ways to exit the building incase of a fire. Is this true? Is it illegal for her to stop the use of the back door?
Answers:
You have windows correct ?
They are exits, correct ?
Most second floor apartments do not have fire escape type exits.
They have patio's and the front door.
And, can you still use the back door in an emergency ?
Or is the door blocked from opening ?
Come on.im certain if there is a fire your landlord wouldnt care if you used the back exit.
Think about it.
I would imagine that a fire would be a pretty good excuse for you to violate his sign and walk down the ramp to escape.
If there was an emergency, and you needed to exit that way to avoid threat of injury, then that is a legal defense to any claims that you shouldn't have gone out that way.
So, you cannot use it for just casual wandering, but in an emergency, it's fair game.
Last vary by state. So consult a licensed Mass attorney for a definitive answer.
I don't find a requirement for two exits.
"Exits must be located in every dwelling unit and rooming unit so that safe passage is assured all occupants in accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code. [410.450]
Owners are responsible for maintaining common exits free from obstructions. Occupants are responsible for the maintenance of exits intended for their exclusive use. [410.451]
The owner of a dwelling is responsible for maintaining all means of egress in a safe, operable condition at all times. In addition, the owner shall keep all exterior stairways, fire escapes, egress balconies and bridges free of ice and snow. [410.452] "
Laws may vary from state to state.
The landlord is required to provide access for disabled people, but the solution makes no sense to me.
My landlord puts disabled people on the ground floor, installs a ramp to their patio, where there are sliding doors, where they can get in. At the street end of the ramp is a sign for handicapped parking only. This whole arrangement can be moved so that as handicapped tenants move in & out, each one has access, but in no way does this inconvenience other tenants, other than the fact that we may not use the parking space closest to the handicapped neighbor.
I can get in & out of my apartment 4 different ways, in case of emergency:
* There is the front door
* There is the back door
* There are the sliding doors to the patio
* There is a window in the bedroom
In the case of the person with the wheel chair ... in addition to the ramp vs. patio, they could go to front or back door where there are steps, but just a few ... they could get out that way, might not be able to get in.
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