Can your landlord enter your home without notice?
In England, your landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice before entering your home, except in a genuine emergency. Here is what the law says, what to watch for in your agreement, and what to do if your landlord shows up unannounced.
The short answer
Your landlord cannot enter your rented home without your permission, unless they have given at least 24 hours' written notice and the visit is at a reasonable time of day. There is one exception: a genuine emergency.
The 24-hour notice rule
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords have the right to enter a property to inspect its condition or carry out repairs, but only after giving at least 24 hours' written notice. The visit must take place at a reasonable time, which in practice means normal daytime hours.
Email counts as written notice. A phone call does not.
This rule applies to all visits: repairs, inspections, and viewings for prospective new tenants. It applies whether or not it is written into your agreement. This is a statutory right and your landlord cannot contract around it.
The emergency exception
If there is a genuine emergency, such as a burst pipe, a fire, or a suspected gas leak, your landlord can enter without notice. The emergency must be real and immediate. "Emergency" is not a catch-all excuse for unscheduled visits.
Your right to quiet enjoyment
Every tenancy in England carries an implied right to quiet enjoyment. This is a common law right, meaning it applies even if your agreement does not mention it. It means you have the right to occupy your home without interference from your landlord.
Repeated unannounced visits, or turning up without notice on a regular basis, can breach this right and in serious cases can constitute harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Landlord harassment is a criminal offence.
What to look for in your agreement
Some tenancy agreements include access clauses that go further than the law allows. Watch for clauses that:
- say the landlord can enter "at any time" or "on reasonable notice" without specifying 24 hours
- allow inspections as frequently as the landlord chooses, without any limit
- require you to allow access on short notice for viewings
Clauses that attempt to grant your landlord broader access rights than the law provides may be unenforceable under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which protects tenants from unfair contract terms.
Viewings and inspections
From 1 May 2026, all new tenancies in England will be periodic (rolling month-to-month) with no fixed end date, under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. If your landlord wants to re-let the property, they must use one of the statutory grounds under the Act to regain possession. The 24-hour written notice rule for viewings remains unchanged.
If your landlord is seeking to re-let the property, you are entitled to refuse access for viewings if proper notice has not been given, though it is worth agreeing a reasonable schedule in writing.
Repairs and hazards from May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 also extends Awaab's Law to the private rented sector from 1 May 2026. Landlords will be required to address serious hazards, such as damp and mould, within legally prescribed timeframes or face civil penalties. If a landlord needs access to inspect or remedy a hazard, the 24-hour notice requirement still applies. Urgency does not remove the obligation to give proper notice, except in a genuine emergency.
If your landlord enters without notice
If your landlord enters your home without giving proper notice and without your consent:
- Write to them (email is fine) to record what happened and remind them of their obligations.
- Contact your local council's private rented sector team. Councils can investigate landlord harassment.
- Get free advice from Shelter England or Citizens Advice.
If the situation is ongoing, a solicitor can advise on your options.