| Legal Reasons for Entry |
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| Notice Requirement |
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| Penalties for Illegal Entry |
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Does a Landlord Have the Right To Enter a Rental Property in Alaska?
Alaska landlords have the right to enter a rental property for the following reasons:
- Inspecting the property.
- Alterations (including decorations).
- Maintenance and repairs.
- Showing the property to potential renters and buyers.
- Emergencies.
Can a Landlord Enter Without Permission in Alaska?
Alaska landlords usually can’t legally enter a rental property without permission. The law says the landlord can only enter without the tenant’s consent in an emergency, or other case where there’s a provable reason why it’s not practically possible to ask permission.
Can a Landlord Enter Without the Tenant Present in Alaska?
Alaska landlords can legally enter a rental property without the tenant present.
Can a Landlord Show a House While Occupied in Alaska?
Alaska landlords can show an occupied house. The renter can’t unreasonably refuse.
How Often Can Landlords Conduct Routine Inspections in Alaska?
There’s no specific limit on how often a landlord in Alaska can enter for inspections. The landlord isn’t allowed to enter unreasonably often, but what’s reasonable gets decided case by case.
How Much Notice Does a Landlord Need To Provide in Alaska?
Alaska landlords have to provide at least 24 hours of advance notice before entering in Alaska, unless there’s a provable reason (like an emergency) justifying a shorter time period.
Can a Landlord Enter Without Notice in Alaska?
Alaska landlords can only enter without notice in emergencies or other situations where there’s a provable reason it’s not practically possible to give notice.
How Can Landlords Notify Tenants of an Intention To Enter in Alaska?
Alaska landlords can notify tenants verbally or in writing about an intention to enter.
Can a Tenant Refuse Entry to a Landlord in Alaska?
Alaska tenants can refuse entry to a landlord who wants to enter for an invalid reason, at an unreasonable time, or without proper notice, except for emergency cases.
What Happens If the Tenant Illegally Refuses Entry to the Landlord in Alaska?
Alaska landlords can respond to a tenant illegally refusing entry by getting an injunction to compel access, or canceling the lease on 10 days’ written notice. In either case, the landlord can recover the cost of damages, or one month’s rent, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.
Can a Tenant Change the Locks Without Permission in Alaska?
Alaska tenants can’t change locks without the landlord’s written consent, except in an emergency. If there’s an emergency lock change, the tenant must, within five days, notify the landlord in writing and provide a set of keys.
What Can a Tenant Do If the Landlord Enters Illegally in Alaska?
Alaska tenants can enforce privacy through an injunction, or else cancel the lease on 10 days’ written notice, when the landlord enters illegally. In either case, the tenant can recover the cost of damages or one month’s rent (whichever is greater), plus attorney fees.
Sources
- 1 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.140 (a) & (b) (2021)
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“(a) The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, remove personal property belonging to the landlord that is not covered by a written rental agreement, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors.
“(b) The landlord may enter the dwelling unit without the consent of the tenant in the case of emergency.”
Source Link - 2 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.140 (c) & (d) (2021)
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“(c) A landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 24 hours notice of intention to enter and may enter only at reasonable times and with the tenant’s consent.
“(d) The landlord does not have a right of access to the dwelling unit (1) except (A) as permitted by this section; (B) by court order; or (C) as permitted by AS 34.03.230(b) [lessee’s absence for more than 7 days]; or (2) unless the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.”
Source Link - 3 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.300(a) (2021)
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“If the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the landlord may recover an amount not to exceed the actual damages or one month’s periodic rent, whichever is greater. If the landlord terminates the rental agreement, the landlord shall give written notice to the tenant at least 10 days before the date specified in the notice.”
Source Link - 4 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.350 (2021)
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“Attorney fees shall be allowed to the prevailing party in any proceeding arising out of this chapter, or a rental agreement.”
Source Link - 5 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.120(a)(8) (2021)
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“The tenant… may not, except in an emergency when the landlord cannot be contacted after reasonable effort to do so, change the locks on doors of the premises without first securing the written agreement of the landlord and, immediately after changing the locks, providing the landlord a set of keys to all doors for which locks have been changed; in an emergency, the tenant may change the locks and shall, within five days, provide the landlord a set of keys to all doors for which locks have been changed and written notice of the change.”
Source Link - 6 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.300(b) (2021)
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“If the landlord makes an unlawful entry or a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated demands for entry otherwise lawful but which have the effect of unreasonably harassing the tenant, the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to prevent the recurrence of the conduct or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the tenant may recover an amount not to exceed the actual damages or one month’s periodic rent, whichever is greater, court costs and reasonable attorney fees. If the tenant terminates the rental agreement, the tenant shall give written notice to the landlord at least 10 days before the date specified in the notice.”
Source Link
