diff --git a/esphome/esp-occupancystair.yaml b/esphome/esp-occupancystair.yaml
index 722df22..6bb6e88 100644
--- a/esphome/esp-occupancystair.yaml
+++ b/esphome/esp-occupancystair.yaml
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 # https://home.fox.co.nz/gitea/zorruno/zorruno-homeassistant/src/branch/master/esphome/esp-occupancystair.yaml
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # VERSIONS:
+# V2.4 2026-07-26 Added status-aware ownership for the footer-light auto timer
 # V2.3 2026-07-25 Standardized MQTT payloads: "ON"/"OFF" → "On"/"Off"
 # V2.2 2026-02-25 Updated yaml to zorruno layout V1.1
 # V2.1 2025-08-25 Added some MQTT to send commands to turn on remote lights
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ substitutions:
 
   # Project Naming
   project_name: "Generic.ESP32"
-  project_version: "v2.3" # Project V denotes release of yaml file, allowing checking of deployed vs latest version
+  project_version: "v2.4" # Project V denotes release of yaml file, allowing checking of deployed vs latest version
 
   # Passwords & Secrets (unfortunately you can't use substitutions inside secrets names)
   api_key: !secret esp-api_key
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ substitutions:
   # MQTT REMOTE Controls
   mqtt_remote_device1_name: "stair-footerlights"
   mqtt_remote_device1_command_topic: "${mqtt_command_main_topic}/${mqtt_remote_device1_name}"
+  mqtt_remote_device1_status_topic: "${mqtt_status_main_topic}/${mqtt_remote_device1_name}"
   mqtt_remote_device_command_ON: "On"
   mqtt_remote_device_command_OFF: "Off"
 
@@ -158,6 +160,26 @@ globals:
     restore_value: true
     initial_value: "20"
 
+  - id: stair_footer_state_known
+    type: bool
+    restore_value: false
+    initial_value: "false"
+
+  - id: stair_footer_is_on
+    type: bool
+    restore_value: false
+    initial_value: "false"
+
+  - id: stair_footer_auto_owns_light
+    type: bool
+    restore_value: false
+    initial_value: "false"
+
+  - id: stair_footer_auto_on_pending
+    type: bool
+    restore_value: false
+    initial_value: "false"
+
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # I2C BUS:
 # https://esphome.io/components/i2c.html
@@ -176,6 +198,31 @@ logger:
   level: "${log_level}"
   baud_rate: 0
 
+#:########################################################################################:#
+# MQTT STATUS:
+# Tracks the authoritative footer-light state so auto control only turns off a
+# light that it turned on itself.
+#:########################################################################################:#
+mqtt:
+  on_message:
+    - topic: "${mqtt_remote_device1_status_topic}"
+      payload: "${mqtt_remote_device_command_ON}"
+      then:
+        - lambda: |-
+            id(stair_footer_state_known) = true;
+            id(stair_footer_is_on) = true;
+            id(stair_footer_auto_on_pending) = false;
+
+    - topic: "${mqtt_remote_device1_status_topic}"
+      payload: "${mqtt_remote_device_command_OFF}"
+      then:
+        - lambda: |-
+            id(stair_footer_state_known) = true;
+            id(stair_footer_is_on) = false;
+            if (!id(stair_footer_auto_on_pending)) {
+              id(stair_footer_auto_owns_light) = false;
+            }
+
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # UART:
 # https://esphome.io/components/uart.html
@@ -467,17 +514,38 @@ script:
   - id: stair_footer_auto_script
     mode: restart
     then:
-      # Turn lights on (command the Top switch's footer relay)
-      - mqtt.publish:
-          topic: "${mqtt_remote_device1_command_topic}"
-          payload: "${mqtt_remote_device_command_ON}"
-          retain: false
+      - if:
+          condition:
+            lambda: |-
+              return id(stair_footer_auto_owns_light)
+                || !id(stair_footer_state_known)
+                || !id(stair_footer_is_on);
+          then:
+            # Acquire ownership only when this automation needs to turn the light on.
+            - if:
+                condition:
+                  lambda: "return !id(stair_footer_auto_owns_light);"
+                then:
+                  - lambda: |-
+                      id(stair_footer_auto_owns_light) = true;
+                      id(stair_footer_auto_on_pending) = true;
+                  - mqtt.publish:
+                      topic: "${mqtt_remote_device1_command_topic}"
+                      payload: "${mqtt_remote_device_command_ON}"
+                      retain: false
 
-      # Wait for the HA-adjustable timeout
-      - delay: !lambda "return (uint32_t)(id(stair_footer_auto_time_s).state) * 1000;"
+            # Repeated occupancy restarts this delay while retaining ownership.
+            - delay: !lambda "return (uint32_t)(id(stair_footer_auto_time_s).state) * 1000;"
 
-      # Turn lights back off
-      - mqtt.publish:
-          topic: "${mqtt_remote_device1_command_topic}"
-          payload: "${mqtt_remote_device_command_OFF}"
-          retain: false
+            # An external OFF status releases ownership and suppresses this command.
+            - if:
+                condition:
+                  lambda: "return id(stair_footer_auto_owns_light);"
+                then:
+                  - lambda: |-
+                      id(stair_footer_auto_owns_light) = false;
+                      id(stair_footer_auto_on_pending) = false;
+                  - mqtt.publish:
+                      topic: "${mqtt_remote_device1_command_topic}"
+                      payload: "${mqtt_remote_device_command_OFF}"
+                      retain: false