Invitee Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Invitee, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Invitee?

They are the person who are invited to enter the premises of business or any other property such as home, hospitals, aiports etc where they may or may not have to do business but to maintain certain decoram. Invitations to the invitees may be written or oral or can also be mutual as in case of parks, hospitals etc.

History and Meaning of Invitee

Invitee is a term used in the legal context to refer to a person who has been invited or allowed to enter a property or premises. The property can range from a business establishment to a private residence, and the invitation can be explicit or implied. This term is most commonly used in property and tort law, as the owner or occupier of the property owes a higher duty of care to the invitee than to other individuals.

The concept of invitee can be traced back to English common law, which recognized the legal duty owed by a property owner or occupier to visitors. In the United States, the concept of invitee has been codified in various state statutes and is an essential element of the legal framework governing premises liability.

Examples of Invitee

  1. A customer in a grocery store is an invitee of the store owner, as they have been invited onto the premises to conduct business.
  2. A dinner guest at a friend's house is an invitee, as the homeowner has extended an invitation for them to be on the property.
  3. A patient in a hospital is considered an invitee, as they have been invited onto the premises for medical treatment.
  4. A student in a university is an invitee, as they have been invited onto the campus to attend classes and participate in academic activities.

Legal Terms Similar to Invitee

  • Licensee: A person who is permitted to be on the property for their own benefit or interest, but not for the benefit of the property owner or occupier.
  • Trespasser: A person who enters or remains on the property without permission.
  • Attractive nuisance: A legal doctrine that imposes liability on property owners for injuries sustained by children who are attracted to dangerous conditions or features on the property.