In New York, a landlord’s right to enter is governed by the Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment and the NYS Attorney General’s guidelines. While state law doesn’t specify a fixed notice hour, court precedents and local regulations (like the NYC Administrative Code) strictly define “reasonable” access.
Notice Requirements
For non-emergencies, landlords must provide reasonable notice, which is legally interpreted as:
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24 hours notice for inspections.
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One week notice for repairs or maintenance.
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Entry must occur during reasonable hours (typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday–Friday).
When Permission is NOT Required
A landlord may enter without a tenant’s immediate consent only in these scenarios:
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Emergencies: Immediate entry is allowed for situations threatening life or property, such as fire, gas leaks, or major flooding.
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Lease Terms: If the lease explicitly allows entry for specific purposes (like showing the unit to future tenants) and the landlord provides the required notice, the tenant cannot “unreasonably” withhold consent.
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Abandonment: If the landlord has a legitimate, documented reason to believe the tenant has permanently vacated the property.
The information for this answer was found on our New York Landlord Tenant Rights answers.