Even with proper notice and with entry rights reserved in the lease, many states regulate when a landlord may enter a rental property. Landlord entry requires valid purpose, valid manner, and valid timing.
Consent To Enter Rental Property
Tenant consent removes all legal issues with a landlord entry. A landlord always may enter when invited, even for something unrelated to the lease. Requirements for purpose, manner, and timing assume that the tenant may want to refuse consent.
Valid Purpose Required To Enter Rental Property
No landlord entry is legal without a valid purpose. Landlords in general may enter for purposes reserved by the lease, and/or required by law.
Purposes in the Law
Landlords may enter for a purpose that’s allowed by law. The law usually allows entry for property work, inspections, and emergencies.
Different states have different approaches for property showings. Places which allow property showings almost always specify this in an entry statute.
Most states also have laws letting a landlord enter a property when it appears abandoned by the tenant (usually after 1-2 weeks of unexplained absence).
Property Work
Landlords almost always have a duty to provide safe, habitable rental property. To carry out this duty, the law allows landlords to enter rental property for necessary property work. This can include:
- Repairs
- Replacements
- Regular maintenance
- Changes or improvements to the property
- Provided services, like backyard upkeep or spraying for pests
In states which have an entry statute, property work may include lower-level work, like decorations. By default, this kind of work isn’t a valid purpose unless the law, the lease, or the common property rules specifically allow for it.
Inspections
Most places have a housing code defining safe rental property. The owner could get fined, or even have the property condemned, if there’s a code compliance issue. This means the landlord usually may enter and inspect for code compliance purposes.
States differ on whether the landlord may by default enter and inspect for lease violations. The right to inspect in most cases requires a statute or (where allowed) a lease provision allowing the landlord this type of access.
The reason inspections get more scrutiny is that they can be an easy way for a landlord to harass a tenant. Because of this, courts have a strict approach when reviewing lease-related inspections.
Property Showings
Landlords usually can’t show a property unless allowed by state law (like Rhode Island’s) or the lease. State statutes generally allow showings to potential buyers, renters, and contractors.
In situations where neither the law nor the lease reserve a right to showing for the landlord, tenants almost always can refuse a showing.
Emergencies
An emergency situation that threatens people or rental property always gives the landlord a right to enter. In an emergency, the landlord only gets to address the emergency as quickly as possible. It is not legal to abuse an emergency entry for any other purpose.
Property Abandonment
Most states give the landlord a right to enter property which seems abandoned. The law in most cases allows entry after an unexplained tenant absence of 1-2 weeks.
Purposes in the Lease
Many states, such as Colorado, let the landlord and tenant set an entry policy in the rental agreement. Courts accept most entry policies at face value unless something is obviously illegal.
An entry policy might limit the tenant’s use of the property on a temporary basis. For example, a landlord could reserve the right to use a backyard area for occasional parties.
Access policies have a lot of flexibility. A landlord could reserve a right to dowse on the rental property, or swim in the pool on Saturday mornings. A court in general will uphold any policy that the tenant freely accepted in the lease.
Many places do not allow lease-specific purposes for entry. For example, Arizona strictly limits landlord entry to the purposes allowed by statute and no more. Check local laws.
Valid Manner To Enter Rental Property
Valid purpose isn’t enough. A landlord also must enter with a valid manner. Manner refers to the way the landlord conducts the entry process.
Notice
Landlord entry often is illegal without “actual notice,” in advance. Actual notice is any form of notice the tenant personally receives. It could be anything from a phone conversation to a letter sent through certified mail.
Notice must mention both the purpose and approximate timing of the entry. A tenant often may refuse consent to enter if the landlord shows up unexpectedly, or doesn’t say why the entry is necessary.
The following table lays out rules for notice before entry, by state.
| State | Default Required Notice |
Allowed Notice Types | Possible To Waive Notice Requirements?* |
| Alabama | 2 days | Any actual notice (written posting on main door of residence is preferred) | Yes, for separately posted scheduled services |
| Alaska | 24 hours | Any actual notice | No |
| Arizona | 2 days | Any actual notice | Yes, when addressing a tenant repair request |
| Arkansas | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| California | 24 hours (6 days for mailed notice) | Written notice only (with some special exceptions) | No |
| Colorado | “Reasonable” notice (48 hours in specific cases) | Usually written, depends on entry purpose | Yes |
| Connecticut | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | No |
| Delaware | 48 hours | Written notice only (but actual notice may count in court situations) | Yes, in a separate written agreement before the start of the tenancy |
| Florida | 24 hours for repairs, “reasonable” notice otherwise | Any actual notice | No |
| Georgia | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Hawaii | 2 days | Any actual notice | No |
| Idaho | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Illinois | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Indiana | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | No |
| Iowa | 24 hours | Any actual notice | No |
| Kansas | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | No |
| Kentucky
(KY-URLTA communities only) |
2 days (14 days, if entering to bill for noncompliance) | Any actual notice (written only, if billing for non-compliance) | No |
| Louisiana | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Maine | 24 hours | Any actual notice | No, but notice is waived for emergencies such as animal welfare |
| Maryland | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 48 hours for most purposes | Any actual notice | No |
| Michigan | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Minnesota | 24 hours | Any actual notice | Yes, if it’s not a condition for entering or maintaining the lease |
| Mississippi | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Missouri | No statute or caselaw | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Montana | 24 hours | Any actual notice | No |
| Nebraska | 24 hours | Any actual notice | No |
| Nevada | 24 hours | Any actual notice | Yes, in an explicit waiver covering a single entry only |
| New Hampshire | “Reasonable” notice generally (48 hours in some specific cases) | Actual notice in general, written only for some specific cases | No |
| New Jersey | 1 day | Any actual notice | Yes |
| New Mexico | 24 hours | Any actual notice | No |
| New York | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes, by agreement in the lease or other contract |
| North Carolina | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| North Dakota | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice (written posting in/on residence is preferred) | Yes |
| Ohio | “Reasonable” notice (24 hours by default) | Any actual notice | No |
| Oklahoma | 1 day | Any actual notice | No |
| Oregon | 24 hours | Any actual notice | Yes, with detailed requirements dependent on purpose |
| Pennsylvania | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Rhode Island | 2 days | Any actual notice | No |
| South Carolina | 24 hours | Any actual notice | No full waiver for notice, but some partial waivers available |
| South Dakota | 24 hours (by custom, not strict legal requirement) | Any actual notice | Yes, but disfavored by law enforcement |
| Tennessee
(TN-URLTA counties only) |
“Reasonable” notice generally, 24 hours for property showings | Any actual notice | No |
| Texas | “Reasonable” consideration of quiet enjoyment | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Utah | 24 hours (but tenants can’t sue if landlord fails to provide adequate notice) | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Vermont | 48 hours | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Virginia | 72 hours | Any actual notice | Yes, when addressing a tenant repair request |
| Washington | 2 days (1 day for property showings) | Written notice only | No |
| Washington DC | 48 hours | Written notice only (incl. text and email, provided that the tenant replies to the notice) | Yes, but only in writing |
| West Virginia | “Reasonable” notice | Any actual notice | Yes |
| Wisconsin | 12 hours | Written notice only, personally delivered to the tenant if possible | Yes, but only if written in a special lease addendum |
| Wyoming | “Reasonable” notice | Any | Yes |
Identification
Tenants don’t have to let anybody in without identification. Landlords and employees likewise aren’t allowed to sneak onto rental property.
Anyone entering must announce their presence and identify their purpose if asked. If they don’t, tenants can treat this as an illegal trespass and call the police. This applies for any unidentified entry, even for a landlord.
Demeanor
Landlords and employees must enter with a professional demeanor. They can’t enter in an abusive or alarming way. Regardless of valid timing and purpose, tenants may refuse entry to people who approach with a threatening demeanor.
Valid Timing To Enter Rental Property
Timing is the last element which determines whether a landlord may enter a rental property.
Sometimes the law or the lease specify timing. For example, entry in California (except in emergencies) must occur during normal business hours, defined as 8:00AM-5:00PM.
When the law and the lease are silent on timing, the rule is that it must be “reasonable.” This means within normal business hours for most purposes. Unusual timing requires exceptional circumstances, like an emergency.
Sources
- 1 Ala. Code § 35-9A-303
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A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except as provided in this section or unless it is impracticable to do so, the landlord may show the premises at any reasonable time by giving the tenant at least two days’ notice of the landlord’s intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. Posting of a note on the primary door of entry to the residence of the tenant stating the intended time and purpose of the entry shall be a permitted method of notice for the purpose of the landlord’s right of access to the premises.
Source Link - 2 Alaska Stat. § 34.03.140(c)
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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.
Source Link - 3 Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1343(c)
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The landlord shall not abuse the right to 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 two days’ notice of the landlord’s intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times.
Source Link - 4 Ark. Code § 18-17-602(a)
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A tenant shall 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, investigate possible rule or lease violations, investigate possible criminal activity, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors.
Source Link - 5 Cal. Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1)
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Except as provided in subdivision (e), or as provided in paragraph (2) or (3), the landlord shall give the tenant reasonable notice in writing of his or her intent to enter and enter only during normal business hours. The notice shall include the date, approximate time, and purpose of the entry. The notice may be personally delivered to the tenant, left with someone of a suitable age and discretion at the premises, or, left on, near, or under the usual entry door of the premises in a manner in which a reasonable person would discover the notice. Twenty-four hours shall be presumed to be reasonable notice in absence of evidence to the contrary. The notice may be mailed to the tenant. Mailing of the notice at least six days prior to an intended entry is presumed reasonable notice in the absence of evidence to the contrary.
Source Link - 6 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-1004(1)(a)
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If a landlord, qualified inspector, or pest control agent must enter a dwelling unit for the purpose of conducting an inspection for, or treating the presence of, bed bugs, the landlord shall provide the tenant reasonable written or electronic notice of such fact at least forty-eight hours before the landlord, qualified inspector, or pest control agent attempts to enter the dwelling unit; except that a rental agreement may provide for a different minimum time for the notice. A tenant who receives such notice shall not unreasonably deny the landlord, qualified inspector, or pest control agent access to the dwelling unit.
Source Link - 7 Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16(a)
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A tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed to repairs, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed to services or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen or contractors.
Source Link - 8 Del. Code tit. 25 § 5509(a) & (c)
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(a) The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter into the rental unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply services as agreed to or exhibit the rental unit to prospective purchasers, mortgagees or tenants.
…
(c) The tenant shall permit the landlord to enter the rental unit at reasonable times in order to obtain readings of meters or appliances for measurement of utility consumption in accordance with § 5312 of this title.
Source Link - 9 Fla. Stat. § 83.53(2)
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The landlord may enter the dwelling unit at any time for the protection or preservation of the premises. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit upon reasonable notice to the tenant and at a reasonable time for the purpose of repair of the premises. “Reasonable notice” for the purpose of repair is notice given at least 24 hours prior to the entry, and reasonable time for the purpose of repair shall be between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit when necessary for the further purposes set forth in subsection (1) under any of the following circumstances:
(a) With the consent of the tenant;(b) In case of emergency;
(c) When the tenant unreasonably withholds consent; or
(d) If the tenant is absent from the premises for a period of time equal to one-half the time for periodic rental payments. If the rent is current and the tenant notifies the landlord of an intended absence, then the landlord may enter only with the consent of the tenant or for the protection or preservation of the premises.
Source Link - 10 Colquitt v. Rowland, 265 Ga. 905, 906 (1995)
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The use of the tenements really belongs to the tenant during the lease; they are his property to use for the term for which they are rented; and the landlord has no right to enter upon them, except by permission of the tenant, during the term for which they are rented.
Source Link - 11 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53(b)
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The landlord shall not abuse this right of access nor use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or where impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least two days notice of the landlord’s intent to enter and shall enter only during reasonable hours.
Source Link - 12 State of Idaho Office of the Attorney General, Landlord and Tenant Manual 10 (2023 ed.)
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There is no positive law in Idaho regarding landlord access. Guidance from the Attorney General typifies the applicable common-law standard:
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Tenants have a right to privacy in their rentals. The lease should specify the landlord’s right to enter the tenant’s property to:
- Inspect for damage and make necessary repairs;
- Respond to an emergency involving life or property; and
- Show the property to prospective purchasers or tenants at convenient times.
In addition, the lease should explain the landlord’s rights when a tenant is in default in the rent or when a tenant may have abandoned the property. If the lease does not include these provisions, and the landlord needs to enter the property, the landlord first should notify the tenant why the entry is necessary. The landlord and tenant then can agree on a reasonable manner and time of entry.
Source Link - 13 Prairie State Legal Services, Renter’s Handbook 41-42 (Jan. 2021 ed.)
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There is no specific statute regarding landlord entry in Illinois. At common law, the tenant’s right of quiet enjoyment is absolute except as modified by other legal rights and obligations. In a residential context, landlords are required to maintain premises up to code and have a right to sell or relet the property as expedient. This generally means the landlord has a right to enter for purposes related to the tenancy, as long as the entry is reasonable and doesn’t disrupt the tenant’s privacy.
Non-authoritative guidance provided by a prominent Illinois tenant advocacy group articulates the general expectations:
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[T]he general rule is that the landlord may enter with reasonable notice during reasonable times of the day except in case of an emergency when he or she can enter at any time without notice. A local ordinance may limit the times or circumstances under which the landlord can enter, but there is no such state law. There also is no law defining the terms “reasonable notice” or “reasonable time” under the general rule, so you do not have much protection and disputes with the landlord can easily arise. Nonetheless, you do have some rights to privacy in your apartment or house…
As a tenant, you are entitled to possession of the premises and your landlord cannot interfere unreasonably with your use and enjoyment of the premises.
Source Link - 14 Ind. Code § 32-31-5-6(f) & (g)
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(f) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit:
(1) without notice to the tenant in the case of an emergency that threatens the safety of the occupants or the landlord’s property; and
(2) without the consent of the tenant:
(A) under a court order; or
(B) if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the dwelling unit.
(g) A landlord:
(1) shall not abuse the right of entry or use a right of entry to harass a tenant;
(2) shall give a tenant reasonable written or oral notice of the landlord’s intent to enter the dwelling unit; and
(3) may enter a tenant’s dwelling unit only at reasonable times.
Source Link - 15 Ia. Code § 562a.19
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1. The tenant shall 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, or exhibit the dwelling unit…
2. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency.
3. The landlord shall 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 twenty-four hours’ notice of the landlord’s intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times.
4. The landlord does not have another right of access except by court order, and as permitted by sections 562A.28 and 562A.29, or if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
Source Link - 16 Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2557
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(a) The landlord shall have the right to enter the dwelling unit at reasonable hours, after reasonable notice to the tenant, in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen or contractors.
(b) The landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of an extreme hazard involving the potential loss of life or severe property damage.
(c) The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant.
Source Link - 17 Kentucky’s Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (URLTA)
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As of December 2022, Fayette, Jefferson, Oldham, and Pulaski counties have adopted Kentucky’s Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (URLTA), in addition to the following cities: Barbourville, Bellevue, Bromley, Covington, Dayton, Florence, Georgetown, Ludlow, Melbourne, Newport, Silver Grove, Southgate, Shelbyville, Taylor Mill, and Woodlawn.
Outside of these places, the landlord doesn’t owe the tenant a duty to repair the premises up to code except as agreed in the lease. See Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.500 (2022) (“If adopted [by cities or counties], these [URLTA] provisions shall be adopted in their entirety and without amendment. No other ordinance shall be enacted by a city, county or urban- county government which relates to the subjects.”)
Source Link - 18 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.615(1) - (3)
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(1) A tenant shall 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, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors.
(2) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency.
(3) A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or unless it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least two (2) days’ notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times.
Source Link - 19 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.665
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If there is noncompliance by the tenant with KRS 383.605 [tenant maintenance obligations] or 383.610 [landlord’s community rules] materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item or cleaning, and the tenant fails to comply as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency or within fourteen (14) days after written notice by the landlord specifying the breach and requesting that the tenant remedy it within that period of time, the landlord may enter the dwelling unit and cause the work to be done in a workmanlike manner and submit the itemized bill for the actual and reasonable cost or the fair and reasonable value thereof as rent on the next date periodic rent is due, or if the rental agreement has terminated, for immediate payment.
Source Link - 20 Carvajal v. Levy, 485 So. 2d 586, 588 (La. Ct. App. 1986) (emphasis in original)
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In considering invasion of privacy allegations, courts distinguish between actionable and non-actionable invasions. Generally, an actionable invasion of privacy exists only when the defendant’s conduct is unreasonable and seriously interferes with plaintiff’s privacy interests…
Where defendant’s action is properly authorized or justified by circumstances, it is deemed to be reasonable and non-actionable, even though it admits to a slight invasion of the plaintiff’s privacy.
Source Link - 21 Me. Stat. tit. 14 § 6025(2)
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Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant reasonable notice of the landlord’s intent to enter and shall enter only at reasonable times. Twenty-four hours is presumed to be a reasonable notice in the absence of evidence to the contrary. An emergency when the welfare of an animal is at risk as described in section 6025‑A is grounds for permitting entry without 24 hours’ notice.
Source Link - 22 Bocchini v. Gorn Management Co., 69 Md. App. 1, 7 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 1986) (emphasis in original)
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[A] covenant of quiet enjoyment is implied in every lease, absent some provision in the lease negating such an implied covenant.
Source Link - 23 105 Mass. Reg. 410.003(E)
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Every occupant of a residence, upon reasonable notice and if possible by appointment, shall give the owner thereof, or the owner’s representative, access to the residence for the purpose of effecting compliance with the provisions of 105 CMR 410.000. Access shall be at a reasonable time and shall include, but not be limited to, any cooperation required for repairs, alterations, pest elimination, and service of utilities. An owner shall provide at least 48 hours notice to the occupant, except for emergency repairs for which no notice is required.
- 24 Mich. Comp. L. § 600.2918(2)(g) & (3)
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(2) Any tenant in possession of premises whose possessory interest has been unlawfully interfered with by the owner is entitled to recover the amount of his or her actual damages or $200.00, whichever is greater, for each occurrence and, if possession has been lost, to recover possession[, including]… Introduction of noise, odor, or other nuisance.
(3) An owner’s actions do not unlawfully interfere with a possessory interest if… The owner acts pursuant to court order… [or] interferes temporarily with possession only as necessary to make needed repairs or inspection and only as provided by law.”
- 25 Minn. Stat. § 504B.211(2)-(4)
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Subd. 2. Entry by landlord. Except as provided in subdivision 4, a landlord may enter the premises rented by a residential tenant only for a reasonable business purpose and after making a good faith effort to give the residential tenant reasonable notice under the circumstances of not less than 24 hours in advance of the intent to enter. A residential tenant may permit a landlord to enter the rented premises with less than 24 hours notice if desired. The notice must specify a time or anticipated window of time of entry and the landlord may only enter between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. unless the landlord and tenant agree to an earlier or later time. A residential tenant may not waive and the landlord may not require the residential tenant to waive the residential tenant’s right to prior notice of entry under this section as a condition of entering into or maintaining the lease.
(1) showing the unit to prospective residential tenants during the notice period before the lease terminates or after the current residential tenant has given notice to move to the landlord or the landlord’s agent;
(2) showing the unit to a prospective buyer or to an insurance representative;
(3) performing maintenance work;
(4) allowing inspections by state, county, or city officials charged in the enforcement of health, housing, building, fire prevention, or housing maintenance codes;
(5) the residential tenant is causing a disturbance within the unit;
(6) the landlord has a reasonable belief that the residential tenant is violating the lease within the residential tenant’s unit;
(7) prearranged housekeeping work in senior housing where 80 percent or more of the residential tenants are age 55 or older;
(8) the landlord has a reasonable belief that the unit is being occupied by an individual without a legal right to occupy it; or
(9) the residential tenant has vacated the unit.
Subd. 4. Exception to notice requirement.Notwithstanding subdivision 2, a landlord may enter the premises rented by a residential tenant to inspect or take appropriate action without prior notice to the residential tenant if the landlord reasonably suspects that:
(1) immediate entry is necessary to prevent injury to persons or property because of conditions relating to maintenance, building security, or law enforcement;
(2) immediate entry is necessary to determine a residential tenant’s safety; or
(3) immediate entry is necessary in order to comply with local ordinances regarding unlawful activity occurring within the residential tenant’s premises.
Source Link - 26 Gulf Refining Co. v. Terry, 163 Miss. 869, 887-88 (Miss. 1932)
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[T]here being no provisions in the lease to the contrary, it [conveys] to the lessee the right to the exclusive possession and occupation of every part of the land, with which possession and occupation the landlord has no right to interfere. Moreover, the lease containing no provision to the contrary, there arises from it by implication a covenant for the quiet enjoyment of the leased premises by the lessee against the lessor and all persons claiming under him. This covenant is broken the moment the possession of the lessee is invaded by the lessor for any other purpose than to discharge an obligation the lessor may owe to the lessee or to the public; or to restore such destroyed improvements as the lessor has the right to restore.
Source Link - 27 Mont. Code § 70-24-312(3) & (4)
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(3) (a) A landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in the case of an emergency or unless it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 24 hours’ notice of the intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection (3), in addition to the provisions of 70-24-108 [defining notice, largely as actual notice], a tenant has notice of the intent to enter if the landlord conspicuously posts the landlord’s intent to enter on the main entry door of the dwelling unit.
(4) A landlord has no other right of access except:
(a) pursuant to court order;
(b) as permitted by 70-24-425 and 70-24-426(2); or
(c) when the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
Source Link - 28 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1423(2)-(4)
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(2) The landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency.
(3) The landlord shall 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:
(a) Give the tenant at least twenty-four hours’ written notice of the landlord’s intent to enter. Such notice shall be provided to each individual unit and include the intended purpose for entry and a reasonable period during which the landlord anticipates making entry; and
(b) Enter only at reasonable times.
(4) The landlord has no other right of access except by court order, as permitted by subsection (2) of section 76-1432 [permitting reasonable entry after the tenant is absent more than 7 days], or if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
Source Link - 29 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.330(3)
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The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 24 hours’ notice of intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times during normal business hours unless the tenant expressly consents to shorter notice or to entry during nonbusiness hours with respect to the particular entry.
Source Link - 30 N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:3(V)
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No tenant shall willfully refuse the landlord access to the premises to make necessary repairs, or to perform other reasonable and lawful functions commonly associated with the ownership of rental property, at a reasonable time after notice which is adequate under the circumstances.
Source Link - 31 N.J. Admin. Code § 5:10-5.1(c)
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Every occupant of each unit of dwelling space shall give the owner thereof or his agent or employees access to any part of the unit of dwelling space upon reasonable notification, which under ordinary circumstances shall be one day for multiple dwellings, except immediately for hotels, for the purpose of making such inspection and such repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the law and this chapter. In case of safety or structural emergencies immediate access shall be given.
Source Link - 32 N.M. Stat. Ann. § 47-8-24(A)(1)
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The resident shall, in accordance with provisions of the rental agreement and notice provisions as provided in this section, consent to the owner 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 or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, prospective residents, workmen or contractors; provided that: unless otherwise agreed upon by the owner and resident, the owner may enter the resident’s dwelling unit pursuant to this subsection only after giving the resident twenty-four hours written notification of his intent to enter, the purpose for entry and the date and reasonable estimate of the time frame of the entry.
Source Link - 33 N.Y.C. Hous. Maint. Code § 27-2008
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New York City law typifies the standard legal expectations for notice in the state:
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No tenant shall refuse to permit the owner, or his or her agent or employee, to enter such tenant’s dwelling unit or other space under his or her control to make repairs or improvements required by this code or other law or to inspect such apartment or other space to determine compliance with this code or any other provision of law, if the right of entry is exercised at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner.
Source Link - 34 Marina Food Assoc. v. Marina Restaurant, Inc., 100 N.C. App. 82, 92 (N.C. Ct. App. 1990) (internal citations omitted)
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North Carolina landlords have to provide reasonable advance notice before entering rental property, so as not to disturb the renter’s quiet enjoyment of the property:
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“An act of a landlord which deprives his tenant of that beneficial enjoyment of the premises to which he is entitled under his lease, causing the tenant to abandon them, amounts to a constructive eviction. Put another way, when a landlord breaches a duty under the lease which renders the premises untenable, such conduct constitutes constructive eviction. Furthermore, a lease includes the implied covenant of quiet enjoyment. Where a lessee has been constructively evicted, the covenant of quiet enjoyment has also been breached.”
Source Link - 35 N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.3
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A landlord may enter the dwelling unit only during reasonable hours, and in a reasonable manner, for the purpose of inspecting the premises; for making necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; for supplying necessary or agreed services; or for exhibiting the residential dwelling unit to actual or potential purchasers, insurers, mortgagees, real estate agents, tenants, workmen, or contractors. Unless it is impractical to do so the landlord shall first notify and receive the consent of the tenant which shall not be unreasonably withheld, which consent shall identify a time certain. A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass or intimidate the tenant. For the purposes of this section, consent shall be presumed from failure to object to access after notice of intent to enter at a time certain has been given. Notice may be given by personal service, by posting the notice in a conspicuous place in or about the dwelling unit for a reasonable period of time, or by any other method which results in actual notice to the tenant.
Source Link - 36 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04(A)(8)
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A landlord shall…
Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, give the tenant reasonable notice of the landlord’s intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times. Twenty-four hours is presumed to be a reasonable notice in the absence of evidence to the contrary
Source Link - 37 41 Okla. Stat. § 128(C)
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A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or unless it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least one (1) day’s notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times.
Source Link - 38 ORS § 90.322(1)(f)
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In all other cases, unless there is an agreement between the landlord and the tenant to the contrary regarding a specific entry, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 24 hours’ actual notice of the intent of the landlord to enter and the landlord or landlord’s agent may enter only at reasonable times. The landlord or landlord’s agent may not enter if the tenant, after receiving the landlord’s notice, denies consent to enter. The tenant must assert this denial of consent by giving actual notice of the denial to the landlord or the landlord’s agent or by attaching a written notice of the denial in a secure manner to the main entrance to that portion of the premises or dwelling unit of which the tenant has exclusive control, prior to or at the time of the attempt by the landlord or landlord’s agent to enter.
Source Link - 39 Kelly v. Miller, 249 Pa. 314, 316-17 (1915)
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There is no specific Pennsylvania caselaw limiting right to entry, and the landlord’s right of access at common law is more or less absolute except as agreed in the lease, and/or limited by implied warranties of habitability and quiet enjoyment. The covenant of quiet enjoyment is basically defined as a right to the ordinary use of the property for the purpose it was rented. Kelly v. Miller confirms the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment:
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“There is an implied covenant for the quiet enjoyment of the demised premises, and it is settled in this State that any wrongful act of the landlord which results in an interference of the tenant’s possession, in whole or in part, is an eviction for which the landlord is liable in damages to the tenant.”
Source Link - 40 R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26
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(a) A tenant shall 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, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors.
(b) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency, or, during any absence of the tenant in excess of seven (7) days, if reasonably necessary for the protection of the property.
(c) A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or unless it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least two (2) days’ notice of his or her intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times.
(d) A landlord has no other right of access except:
(1) Pursuant to court order;
(2) As permitted by § 34-18-39; or
(3) Unless the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
Source Link - 41 S.C. Code § 27-40-530
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(a) A tenant shall 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, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors.
(b) A landlord or his agent may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant:
(1) At any time in case of emergency-prospective changes in weather conditions which pose a likelihood of danger to the property may be considered an emergency;
(2) Between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of providing regularly scheduled periodic services such as changing furnace and air-conditioning filters, providing termite, insect, or pest treatment, and the like, provided that the right to enter to provide regularly scheduled periodic services is conspicuously set forth in writing in the rental agreement and that prior to entering, the landlord announces his intent to enter to perform services; or
(3) Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of providing services requested by the tenant and that prior to entering, the landlord announces his intent to enter to perform services.
(c) A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in cases under item (b) above, the landlord shall give the tenant at least twenty-four hours notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times.
(d) A landlord has no other right of access except:
(1) pursuant to court order;
(2) as permitted by Sections 27-40-720 and 27-40-730;
(3) when accompanied by a law enforcement officer at reasonable times for the purpose of service of process in ejectment proceedings; or
(4) unless the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
(e) A tenant shall not change locks on the dwelling unit without the permission of the landlord.
Source Link - 42 South Dakota Attorney General Office of Consumer Protection, “Landload [sic] and Tentant [sic]” (retrieved 02/27/2025)
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South Dakota doesn’t have a statute specifically describing a landlord’s access rights. The only thing the landlord has to do is guarantee the tenant’s basic quiet enjoyment of the property; see S.D. Laws § 43-32-6 (“A lessor shall deliver the leased premises to the lessee and secure his quiet enjoyment thereof against all lawful claimants”). However, the Office of Consumer Protection provides guidance for how the government interprets this basic requirement:
“The landlord has the right to make a reasonable inspection, but only with a prior 24-hour notice to the tenant and at a reasonable time. Only in the event of an emergency may a landlord lawfully enter your apartment without notice to you. …[However,] If your time schedule forces your landlord to pay more for repairs… that cost could be passed on to the tenant… If a tenant continues to refuse reasonable entry to a landlord, the landlord can get a court order allowing entry or evicting the tenant and recovering actual money losses.”
Source Link - 43 Tenn. Dep’t of Health, Healthy Homes - Renters
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See Tenn. Dep’t of Health, Healthy Homes – Renters (retrieved 02/27/2025) for an explanation of which counties apply to the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (TN-URLTA). For a basic outline of some applicable laws outside URLTA jurisdiction, see also Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Your Rights as a Tenant Under Common Law in Rural East Tennessee Counties (2011).
Source Link - 44 Tenn. Code § 66-28-403
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(a) The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter onto the premises, including entering into the dwelling unit, in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the premises to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, workers or contractors.
(b) The landlord may enter the premises without consent of the tenant in case of emergency. “Emergency” means a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action.
(c) Where no known emergency exists, if any utilities have been turned off due to no fault of the landlord, the landlord shall be permitted to enter the premises. The landlord may inspect the premises to ascertain any damages to the premises and make necessary repairs of damages resulting from the lack of utilities.
(d) The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant.
(e) The landlord has no right of access to the premises except:
(1) By court order;
(2) As permitted by this section, §§ 66-28-506 and 66-28-507(b);
(3) If the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises;
(4) If the tenant is deceased, incapacitated or incarcerated; or
(5) Within the final thirty (30) days of the termination of the rental agreement for the purpose of showing the premises to prospective tenants; provided, that such right of access is set forth in the rental agreement and notice is given to the tenant at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to entry.
Source Link - 45 Maple Terrace Apartment Co. v. Simpson, 22 S.W.2d 698, 700 (1929)
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[B]y the failure of its managing agent to put an end to the nuisance complained of after notice the appellees were deprived of the reasonable enjoyment and quiet of their home, justifying their claim of eviction, as that term is understood in the law.
Source Link - 46 Utah Code § 57-22-4(2)
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Except as otherwise provided in the rental agreement, an owner shall provide the renter at least 24 hours prior notice of the owner’s entry into the renter’s residential rental unit.
Source Link - 47 Vt. Stat. tit. 9 § 4460(b)
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A landlord may also enter the dwelling unit for the following purposes between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. on no less than 48 hours’ notice:
(1) when necessary to inspect the premises;
(2) to make necessary or agreed repairs, alterations, or improvements;
(3) to supply agreed services; or
(4) to exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors.
Source Link - 48 Va. Code § 55.1-1229(A)(4)
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The landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency. The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or if it is impractical to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. Unless impractical to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least 72 hours’ notice of routine maintenance to be performed that has not been requested by the tenant. Such routine maintenance shall be performed within 14 days of delivery of the notice to the tenant, and the notice shall state the last date on which the maintenance may possibly be performed. If the tenant makes a request for maintenance, the landlord is not required to provide notice to the tenant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to § 44-146.17 in response to a communicable disease of public health threat as defined in § 44-146.16, the tenant may provide written notice to the landlord requesting that one or more nonemergency property conditions in the dwelling unit not be addressed in the normal course of business of the landlord due to such communicable disease of public health threat. In such case, the tenant shall be deemed to have waived any and all claims and rights under this chapter against the landlord for failure to address such nonemergency property conditions. At any time thereafter, the tenant may consent in writing to the landlord addressing such nonemergency property conditions in the normal course of business of the landlord. In the case of a tenant who has provided notice that he does not want nonemergency repairs made during the state of emergency due to a communicable disease of public health threat, the landlord may nonetheless enter the dwelling unit to do nonemergency repairs and maintenance with at least seven days’ written notice to the tenant and at a time consented to by the tenant, no more than once every six months, provided that the employees and agents sent by the landlord are wearing all appropriate and reasonable personal protective equipment as required by state law. Furthermore, if the landlord is required to conduct maintenance or an inspection pursuant to the agreement for the loan or insurance policy that covers the dwelling unit, the tenant shall allow such maintenance or inspection, provided that the employees and agents sent by the landlord are wearing all appropriate personal protective equipment as required by state law.
Source Link - 49 Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.160(6)
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“The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant, and shall provide notice before entry as provided in this subsection. Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least two days’ written notice of his or her intent to enter and shall enter only at reasonable times. The notice must state the exact time and date or dates of entry or specify a period of time during that date or dates in which the entry will occur, in which case the notice must specify the earliest and latest possible times of entry. The notice must also specify the telephone number to which the tenant may communicate any objection or request to reschedule the entry. The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter the dwelling unit at a specified time where the landlord has given at least one day’s notice of intent to enter to exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers or tenants. A landlord shall not unreasonably interfere with a tenant’s enjoyment of the rented dwelling unit by excessively exhibiting the dwelling unit.”
Source Link - 50 D.C. Code § 42-3505.51(a)(1) & (b)(1)
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(a) (1) “Reasonable notice” means written notice provided to the tenant at least 48 hours before the time the housing provider wishes to enter the unit or a shorter period of time as agreed to by the tenant in writing. Written notice may include electronic communication, including email and mobile text messaging; provided, that if the tenant fails to furnish a written acknowledgement, the housing provider will provide a paper notice.
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(b) (1) Except in the event of an emergency for the protection or preservation of the premises, or for the protection and safety of the tenants or other persons, a housing provider may enter a rental unit during a tenancy only for a reasonable purpose, at a reasonable time, and after having provided the tenant with reasonable notice.
Source Link - 51 Teller v. McCoy, 162 W. Va. 367, 373 (W. Va. 1978)
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West Virginia does not have a statute governing terms of access for landlords and tenants. At common law, the tenant receives a “covenant of quiet enjoyment” which is also guaranteed by statute. The protection of a tenant’s quiet enjoyment is interpreted to mean that the landlord can only enter for purposes of legal compliance (such as repairs to keep a property up to code), on reasonable notice, except in emergencies. The landlord can also enter for other purposes, but only with the tenant’s consent (which also includes the tenant’s agreement to other terms of access in the lease).
“At common law… the courts implied into leases a ‘covenant of quiet enjoyment’ to relieve a tenant from the obligation to pay rent when he was deprived of possession or disturbed by hostile claimants or defects in title. Under this doctrine, the landlord, through his acts or omissions, was deemed to ‘evict’ the tenant by depriving him of the beneficial enjoyment of the demised premises.” Teller v. McCoy, 162 W. Va. 367, 373 (W. Va. 1978) (internal citations omitted). See also W.Va. Code § 36-4-14 (“A covenant by a lessor, ‘for the lessee’s quiet enjoyment of his term,’ or a covenant of like import, shall have the same effect as a covenant that the lessee, his personal representatives and lawful assigns, paying the rent reserved, and performing his or their covenants, shall peaceably possess and enjoy the demised premises, for the term granted, without any interruption or disturbance from any person whatever.”) See further Office of the West Virginia Attorney General, Renter’s Rights: A Guide to Landlord-Tenant Rights in West Virginia 2 (2014) (“State law prohibits landlords from entering rental housing without either the consent of the tenant or providing reasonable notice in advance, unless circumstances require the landlord to perform emergency repairs.”)
Source Link - 52 Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § ATCP 134.09(2)(a) - (2)(c)
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(a) Except as provided under par. (b) or (c), no landlord may do any of the following:
1. Enter a dwelling unit during tenancy except to inspect the premises, make repairs, or show the premises to prospective tenants or purchasers, as authorized under s. 704.05(2), Stats. A landlord may enter for the amount of time reasonably required to inspect the premises, make repairs, or show the premises to prospective tenants or purchasers.
2. Enter a dwelling unit during tenancy except upon advance notice and at reasonable times. Advance notice means at least 12 hours advance notice unless the tenant, upon being notified of the proposed entry, consents to a shorter time period.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to an entry if any of the following applies:1. The tenant, knowing the proposed time of entry, requests or consents in advance to the entry.
2. A health or safety emergency exists.
3. The tenant is absent and the landlord reasonably believes that entry is necessary to protect the premises from damage.
(c) A rental agreement may include a nonstandard rental provision authorizing a landlord to enter a tenant’s dwelling unit at reasonable times, under circumstances not authorized under par. (a) or (b). The landlord shall include the nonstandard provision, if any, in a separate written document entitled “NONSTANDARD RENTAL PROVISIONS” which the landlord provides to the tenant. The landlord shall specifically identify and discuss the nonstandard provision with the tenant before the tenant enters into any rental agreement with the landlord. If the tenant signs or initials the nonstandard rental provision, it is rebuttably presumed that the landlord has specifically identified and discussed that nonstandard provision with the tenant, and that the tenant has agreed to it.
Note: The separate written document under par. (c) may be pre-printed.
Source Link - 53 Wy. Stat. § 1-21-1205(a)
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No renter shall:
(i) Intentionally or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the residential rental unit or knowingly permit any person to do so;
(ii) Interfere with another person’s peaceful enjoyment of the residential property; or
(iii) Unreasonably deny access to, refuse entry to or withhold consent to enter the residential rental unit to the owner, agent or manager for the purpose of making repairs to or inspecting the unit, and showing the unit for rent or sale.
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