Are hotels liable for their guests' belongings in the Philippines?

Answer

Yes. The safekeeping of a guest's effects by a hotel or inn keeper is a necessary deposit governed by the Civil Code. Keepers of hotels or inns are responsible as depositaries for the effects brought by their guests, provided the guest gave notice of the effects and took the precautions the keeper advised (Articles 1998 and 1999).

This responsibility covers loss of or injury to the guest's property caused by the keeper's servants or employees, and even by strangers, but not a loss due to force majeure or the guest's own negligence. A notice posted by the keeper announcing that it is not liable for the guest's effects does not relieve it of responsibility (Article 2003).

Sources & further reading

• Civil Code Art. 1998 — necessary deposit with hotel keepers
• Civil Code Art. 2003 — waiver notice ineffective
• Full report: deposit

Cases on this topic

• Antonino v. Banco Oro
• Bank of the Philippine Islands v. Herridge
• CA Agro v. Court of Appeals
• Gonzales v. Tiong
• Philippine National Bank v. Producers' Warehouse Association
• Sia v. Court of Appeals
• US v. Dominguez
• Velasco v. China Banking

Related questions

• Is a bank safety deposit box a deposit or a lease in the Philippines?