Rebbe Zalman of Vilna and the Inn's Mezuzos
Staying at an inn on Shabbos, Rebbe Zalman of Vilna finds the mezuzos invalid. To keep his guest, the innkeeper declares the inn ownerless before witnesses.
The story is told that Rebbe Zalman of Vilna was once staying at an inn on Shabbos. He noticed that the mezuzos were improperly affixed, rendering them invalid. Rebbe Zalman did not want to stay at the inn which effectively did not have any mezuzos. Not wanting to lose his revered guest, the innkeeper declared his inn ownerless in front of three witnesses. In this way, he was able to accommodate Rebbe Zalman.