Q: Is it legal for hotel housekeeping to enter my room, after me clearly stating to them I didn’t need housekeeping?
A:
In most jurisdictions, hotel staff have the legal right to enter your room even if you decline housekeeping, primarily for security and safety reasons. This right is typically outlined in the hotel's terms of service that you agree to when booking.
However, hotels should follow proper protocols before entering, such as knocking multiple times, announcing themselves clearly, and trying to enter at reasonable hours. Many properties have policies requiring staff to check rooms every 24-72 hours, regardless of guest preferences, to ensure guest safety and maintain property standards.
If you're concerned about privacy, you can request specific times for room checks, use the "Do Not Disturb" sign, or speak with management about your preferences. You might also consider engaging the additional locks inside your room during your stay, though keep in mind that in genuine emergencies (like fires or medical situations), staff may still need immediate access.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.