§ 16-502. Hotel keeper's lien

   (a) Creation of lien. -- A hotel keeper has a lien on the baggage or other property in the hotel which belong to or are under the control of a guest for any charge due or to become due to the hotel keeper for:

   (1) The price or value of food or accommodation;

   (2) The amount of any loan or advance; or

   (3) The amount provided by cashing a check, draft, or otherwise.

(b) Right to retain possession. -- The hotel keeper may retain possession of the property to which the lien attaches until all charges due or to become due to him are paid.

(c) Sale of property. -- If the charges which give rise to the lien are unpaid 15 days after they become due, the hotel keeper may sell the property to which the lien attaches at public sale.

(d) Notice of sale. -- The hotel keeper shall publish notice of the time, place, and terms of the sale at least twice in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the county where the hotel is located. The first publication of notice shall be at least 10 days before the sale.

(e) Application of proceeds. --

   (1) The proceeds of the sale shall be applied, in the following order, to:

      (i) The expenses of the sale; and

      (ii) The amount of the lien claim.

   (2) After application of the proceeds in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, any remaining balance shall be paid to the owner of the property.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 71, § 4; 1975, ch. 49, § 3.