Everything that went up, or down, from the flat had to take the stairs. Or an equivalent route.

People. Furnishings. Possessions. Food. Water. Waste.

If something didn't move independently, you moved it personally.

Privies tended to be outside, at ground level. Pisspots were standard items.

Gardyloo!

https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/gardyloo