What duty is owed to a licensee by the property owner or occupier?

The duty owed to a licensee by a property owner or occupier primarily involves the obligation to warn of or make safe known dangerous conditions. A licensee is typically defined as someone who enters a property with the permission of the owner but for their own purposes, rather than for a mutual benefit (which would define an invitee). Therefore, the property owner or occupier must ensure that the licensee is aware of any hazards that the owner knows about that could cause harm.

The rationale behind this duty is grounded in the recognition that the licensee is not on the property for the benefit of the owner and may not be aware of dangers that the owner knows of. While the property owner does not have an obligation to ensure the premises are free from all defects or to conduct regular inspections, they must take reasonable steps to protect the licensee from known risks. This includes providing warnings or taking measures to eliminate dangers that can foreseeably harm the licensee.

The other options are incomplete or incorrect representations of the obligations owed to a licensee. Conducting regular inspections or repairing all defects are more aligned with the higher duty of care owed to invitees rather than licensees. Providing safety equipment does not fall under the typical duties owed to a licensee either,