What liability do innkeepers have regarding entrusted property?

Innkeepers have a heightened responsibility regarding the property that guests entrust to them. This duty is often referred to as a duty of extraordinary diligence, which means that they are required to take significant measures to protect the belongings of their guests. This standard reflects the trust that guests place in innkeepers to keep their property safe during their stay.

In many jurisdictions, including Georgia, innkeepers are considered to be bailees for hire when guests check in and leave their personal items in hotel rooms or other areas of the establishment. This legal relationship implies that innkeepers must exercise great care in protecting the entrusted items, often going beyond the reasonable care required in everyday situations.

The rationale for this stringent duty lies in the nature of the innkeeper-guest relationship: innkeepers are in a professional position to protect their guests' belongings and thus are expected to implement measures to prevent theft or damage. Failure to meet this duty could result in liability for any loss or damage incurred, regardless of whether negligence can be explicitly proven, as long as the property was in the innkeeper's control.

The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of an innkeeper's liability. Overall, the extraordinary diligence standard is essential for understanding the responsibilities that innkeepers hold with regards to