I recently inspected a condo that was built in 72. The spindle spacing was about 7inches. Was that ok then and should I recommend an upgrade to fix the spacing.
Just explain the dangers of existing spacing and recommend correction especially if young child in home.
It doesn’t, typically, matter what was okay then. Try to forget about what was okay code-wise at some unknown point under some unknown code jurisdiction.
It is a potential safety hazard now and should be reported as such.
If the client decides to live with any safety issue you call out, they get to accept the liability that goes with it. Recommend upgrading to modern standards and let them make the decision. Don’t make the decision for them by not calling it out. CYA.