“Contractors must take reasonable care to secure premises against foreseeable crime”
Troman was a decorator working alone in the Stansbies' house. The householder went out, leaving Troman to continue working. Troman left the house unlocked when he went out to buy wallpaper, and burglars entered and stole property. The householders sued Troman for negligence.
Whether a workman left alone in someone's house owes a duty to take reasonable care to prevent burglary by securing the premises when leaving temporarily.
The Court of Appeal held that Troman was liable in negligence. He owed a duty to take reasonable care to prevent the foreseeable risk of burglary.
This case establishes an important principle about contractors' duties regarding security and demonstrates how the law imposes positive duties to prevent foreseeable harm by third parties. It remains relevant for understanding contractors' responsibilities and liability for criminal acts of third parties.
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OSCOLA Citation
Stansbie v Troman [1948] 2 KB 48
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