N.J. Stat. tit. 29, ch. 2

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 29:2-1 Definitions

29:2-1. As used in this chapter: a. "Hotel" means any hotel, inn, boarding house, motel or other establishment whose proprietor offers and accepts payment for rooms, sleeping accommodations or board and lodging and retains the right of access to, and control of, the premises which are let. b. "Guest" means guests of or travelers in a hotel as defined in subsection a. of this section. c. "Valuables" includes money, bank notes, bonds, precious stones, jewelry, ornaments, furs, watches, securities, transportation tickets, cameras, checks, drafts, and other negotiable instruments, business papers, documents, and other papers, and any other articles of similar value. Amended 1992, c.14,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 29:2-2 Liability for loss of guests' valuables, limitation

29:2-2. If the proprietor of any hotel shall provide a safe or other depository in the hotel's office or in another convenient place, for the safekeeping of any valuables belonging to guests of the hotel, and shall place, in a conspicuous position in the room or rooms occupied by each guest, a notice stating the fact that a safe or other depository is provided in which valuables may be deposited, and any guest shall neglect to deliver valuables to the person in charge of the safe or other depository, the proprietor of the hotel shall not be liable in any sum for the loss of valuables sustained by that guest, by theft or otherwise. If a guest shall deliver valuables to the person in charge of the office of the hotel for deposit in the safe or other depository, the hotel proprietor shall not be liable for any loss sustained by that guest, by theft or otherwise, in any sum exceeding $5,000, unless by special agreement in writing between a guest and the proprietor in which the proprietor agrees to accept liability for losses in excess of $5,000. In all cases of loss, the burden shall be on the guest to prove the amount of loss. Amended 1952,c.145,s.1; 1992,c.14,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 29:2-3 Liability for proprietor for loss of guests' personal property, exceptions, limitation

29:2-3. a. No proprietor of any hotel shall be liable in any sum to any guest of the hotel for the loss of personal property not mentioned in R.S.29:2-2, where it shall appear that the loss occurred without the fault or negligence of the proprietor. b. No proprietor shall be liable in any sum for the loss of any personal property belonging to a guest not in a room or rooms assigned to the guest, unless the property shall be specially intrusted to the care and custody of the proprietor or his duly authorized agent, and if the property shall be so specially intrusted, the proprietor shall not be liable for its loss in any sum exceeding $1,500; and the burden shall be on the guest to prove the actual amount of loss. Amended 1992,c.14,s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 29:2-4 Standard of care of proprietor for certain losses

29:2-4. The proprietor of a hotel shall be liable to any guest of the hotel only for ordinary and reasonable care in the custody of any valuables or other personal property belonging to the guest, whether specially intrusted to the proprietor or his agent or deposited in the safe or other depository of the hotel or otherwise, for any loss occasioned by fire or by any other force over which the proprietor had no control. Amended 1952,c.145,s.2; 1992,c.14,s.4.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026