Going on a trip, you often have to fully entrust your safety and the safety of your belongings to hotels. Naturally, each of us wants to be sure that all things will remain yours after your stay at the hotel. However, is the hotel responsible for our belongings if we just left them in the room?
Responsibility of the hotel
Let's remember the main thing: the hotel is responsible for the safety of guests' belongings at its facility. This obligation applies to any personal belongings that guests have with them or leave in their rooms. Regardless of how you move: on a business trip or travel, the hotel is obliged to ensure the safety of your belongings if they are on the hotel territory.
But there is a nuance
Here is a nuance: hotels are not responsible for foreign currency, as well as securities, if they are not accepted for storage or put in a safe. This is especially true for travelers who bring large sums of money or valuable documents with them. We advise you to always use the safes provided by the hotels: this increases the chances of compensation for damage in case of theft or loss.
Disclaimer announcements
Sometimes you can see announcements in hotels about the refusal of responsibility for the safety of things, but even they do not exempt hotels from legal consequences. This is an important aspect to pay attention to. The hotel cannot thus relieve itself of obligations for the safety of the property of its guests.
Missing Items: Your Actions and Refund Rights
If you discover the loss of things, you have every right to demand reimbursement of their cost from the hotel. Report the incident immediately to the reception and make sure that the hotel staff records your report. This is an important step, because documentary evidence of your appeal will be strong evidence in a dispute with the hotel.
Responsibility for belongings in other areas of the hotel
It is important to remember that the responsibility for the guests' belongings lies with the hotel not only in the rooms, but also in other areas of the hotel: halls, restaurants, gyms, etc. Wherever the path of your belongings intersects with the responsibility of the hotel service, the hotel is obliged to ensure their safety.
Call the police
If you find that things have disappeared from your room, contact the police. The application must be documented: receive a notification coupon and a decision to initiate a criminal case. These documents will be evidence of the incident that occurred and an important argument in the event of litigation.
The hotel refuses to admit guilt
If the hotel refuses to admit its guilt and compensate for the damage, you should write a claim. Include all documents to prove your stay, hotel charges, the value of missing items, and other evidence to help support your claims. A well-drafted claim and the availability of all the necessary documents will significantly increase your chances of satisfying your claims.
Going to court
If it was not possible to resolve the issue through claims and negotiations, there is always an opportunity to go to court. In this case, you can demand not only compensation for damage, but also a penalty for untimely fulfillment of requirements, compensation for moral damage and a fine for non-fulfillment of requirements voluntarily. The right approach and the help of a qualified lawyer will be your keys to success in such a process.
To sum up, the hotel bears significant responsibility for the safety of guests' belongings, but there are exceptions and nuances that should be taken into account. Be mindful of your belongings, use safes, and know your rights.
