What is the duty of a gratuitous bailor concerning known dangerous defects?

The duty of a gratuitous bailor is to inform the bailee of any known dangerous defects in the property being bailed. This responsibility stems from the bailor's obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of the bailee regarding the use of the property. A gratuitous bailor is someone who lends property without any compensation, and while they are not held to the same standard as a paid bailor, they still have a duty to disclose known risks that could cause harm.

In this context, the bailor is expected to be aware of any hazardous conditions that could affect the bailee's safety while using the property. Therefore, the duty is limited to those defects that the bailor is actually aware of; the bailor is not responsible for conducting regular inspections or uncovering unknown defects. This nuanced understanding of the bailor's duty fosters a balance between the rights and responsibilities of both parties in a bailment relationship, highlighting the importance of communication about potential hazards.