Access and condition
Landlord right of entry and notice by state
The rule in every state and DC, with the statute and how well each answer is verified. Click a state for its full page.
Entry rules set how much notice a landlord or manager must give before entering an occupied unit, the allowed reasons, and the hours. Some states have no entry statute and leave it to the lease, and where a statute exists it often includes an exception for emergencies.
What to check in your state
- The notice period and whether it must be written.
- Allowed reasons, such as repairs, inspections and showings.
- Allowed hours and limits on how often you can enter.
Common mistakes
- Letting a vendor in without notice for routine work.
- Showing a unit to prospects without the required notice.
| State | Rule | Details | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | At least 2 days' notice, at reasonable times, except emergencies. | Posting a note on the tenant's main door with the time and purpose of entry is valid notice. An advance schedule for repairs or pest control given more than 2 days ahead counts as notice. A tenant's repair request is consent to enter for that work. | Ala. Code § 35-9A-303 Checked against the official source |
| Alaska | At least 24 hours' notice, at reasonable times, except emergencies. | The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs, or showings. Abuse of access is not allowed. | AS 34.03.140 Checked against the official source |
| Arizona | At least 2 days' notice, at reasonable times, except emergencies. | A tenant's maintenance request counts as permission to enter for that work, with no separate notice needed. Abuse of access is not allowed. | A.R.S. § 33-1343 Checked against the official source |
| Arkansas | No statute sets a notice period. | Arkansas law does not set entry notice rules. Put entry terms in the lease. Reasonable advance notice, except in emergencies, is good practice. | No statute found Secondary source |
| California | Reasonable written notice, presumed 24 hours (6 days if mailed). | Entry must be during normal business hours and for a listed reason such as repairs, showings, or an initial move-out inspection. The notice must state the date, approximate time, and purpose. Emergencies, abandonment, and court orders are exceptions. | Cal. Civ. Code § 1954 Checked against the official source |
| Colorado | No general entry notice statute. 24 hours' written notice to enter for habitability repairs. | For habitability repairs, give at least 24 hours' written notice with the date, time and expected length of entry, except when a condition imminently threatens life, health or safety or is causing ongoing major damage. The tenant may reasonably decline a time and agree on another. Bed bug inspections need 48 hours' notice unless the lease says otherwise. Put other entry terms in the lease. | C.R.S. § 38-12-503(6); C.R.S. § 38-12-1004(1) Checked against the official source |
| Connecticut | Reasonable written or oral notice, at reasonable times, except emergencies. | The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs, or showings. Without consent, entry is allowed only for emergencies, court orders, abandonment, or an extended tenant absence. 24 hours' notice is common practice. | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-16 Checked against the official source |
| Delaware | 48 hours' notice, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., except emergencies. | Entry must be for a lawful purpose such as repairs, inspection, or showing. The tenant may waive notice in writing only for showings to prospective tenants or buyers. | 25 Del. C. § 5509 Checked against the official source |
| District of Columbia | 48 hours' written notice, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., not on Sundays or federal holidays. | Entry must be for a reasonable purpose such as repairs, inspection, or services. Notice can be by email or text, but if the tenant does not acknowledge it in writing, give paper notice. No notice is needed in an emergency, and the tenant can agree to a shorter notice period in writing. | D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 Checked against the official source |
| Florida | 24 hours' notice for repairs, between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. | The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for inspections, repairs, or showings. You may enter without notice in an emergency, during the tenant's extended absence, or if the tenant consents. | Fla. Stat. § 83.53 Checked against the official source |
| Georgia | No statute. The lease controls. | Put entry terms in the lease. Without a lease right of entry, the tenant may refuse non-emergency entry. | None Secondary source |
| Hawaii | At least two days' notice, during reasonable hours. | Notice is not needed in an emergency or where it is impracticable. The tenant cannot unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, repair, or show the unit. Repeated unreasonable entry lets the tenant end the lease or seek an injunction. | HRS §§ 521-53, 521-73 Checked against the official source |
| Idaho | No statute. The lease controls. | Idaho's landlord-tenant statutes in Title 6, Chapter 3 and Title 55, Chapters 2 and 3 have no entry or notice rule. Put entry rights for inspections, repairs, emergencies, and showings in the lease. | Idaho Code Title 6, ch. 3; Title 55, chs. 2-3 (no entry provision) Checked against the official source |
| Illinois | No statewide notice rule. Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, and suburban Cook County require 2 days' notice. | No notice is needed for emergencies. Outside those local ordinances, the lease controls. Urbana requires 24 hours' notice. | Local ordinances Secondary source |
| Indiana | Reasonable written or oral notice, at reasonable times. | No fixed number of hours is set. You may enter without notice in an emergency that threatens occupants or the property, and without consent under a court order or after abandonment. Do not use entry to harass. Tenants may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs or showings. | IC 32-31-5-6 Checked against the official source |
| Iowa | At least 24 hours' notice, at reasonable times. | Notice is not required in an emergency or when it is impracticable. You may enter during a tenant absence of more than 14 days as reasonably needed. Do not use access to harass the tenant. | Iowa Code 562A.19; 562A.29(2) Checked against the official source |
| Kansas | Reasonable notice, at reasonable hours. | You may enter without consent only for an extreme hazard involving possible loss of life or severe property damage. During a tenant absence of more than 30 days you may enter as reasonably necessary. Do not use access to harass. | K.S.A. 58-2557; 58-2565(b) Checked against the official source |
| Kentucky | URLTA areas: at least 2 days' notice and reasonable times; no notice in emergencies. | The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, repair or show the unit. The landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass. During a tenant absence over 7 days the landlord may enter as reasonably necessary. Outside URLTA areas no statute sets entry rules; the lease controls. | KRS 383.615; KRS 383.670(2) (URLTA areas) Checked against the official source |
| Louisiana | No statewide entry notice rule found; the lease controls. | Louisiana law requires the lessor to protect the tenant's peaceful possession, but no fixed entry notice period was found. Put entry terms in the lease. | Not yet verified |
| Maine | Reasonable notice, presumed to be 24 hours, at reasonable times. | No notice is needed in an emergency, including an animal welfare emergency. Unlawful or harassing entry can cost actual damages or $100, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees. Tenants who change locks must give you a key within 48 hours. | 14 M.R.S. 6025 Checked against the official source |
| Maryland | 24 hours' written notice, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. | The notice must give the date, approximate time and purpose, and be mailed, posted on the door, or sent electronically if the tenant elected that. Emergencies are exempt. The tenant may agree in writing to shorter notice. Violations can lead to an injunction and damages. | Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-221 Checked against the official source |
| Massachusetts | Only to inspect, repair, or show the unit; no set notice period. | A lease may allow entry only to inspect, make repairs, or show the unit to prospective tenants, buyers, lenders, or their agents. You may also enter under a court order, if the unit appears abandoned, or in the last 30 days of the tenancy to check for deposit damage. The statute sets no advance notice, so give reasonable notice and spell out your practice in the lease. | G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(a) Checked against the official source |
| Michigan | No statute; set terms in the lease. | Michigan has no statute on landlord entry or advance notice. Write entry terms into the lease, give reasonable notice except in emergencies, and avoid entries that could be seen as harassment or an unlawful interference with possession. | Not yet verified |
| Minnesota | Reasonable business purpose, 24 hours' notice, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Make a good faith effort to give at least 24 hours' notice with a time or window of entry, and enter only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. unless the tenant agrees otherwise. Emergency entry without notice is allowed for safety or to prevent injury or damage; leave a written notice if you enter while the tenant is away. Tenants cannot waive notice, and violations can cost up to $500 per violation plus rent reduction. | Minn. Stat. § 504B.211 Checked against the official source |
| Mississippi | No statute sets notice; the lease controls. | We found no Mississippi statute on landlord entry or advance notice. Put entry rights and notice practices in the lease and give reasonable notice except in emergencies. | Not yet verified |
| Missouri | No statewide statute; set terms in the lease. | Missouri's landlord-tenant chapters (RSMo chapters 441 and 535) contain no landlord entry or advance notice section. Write entry rules into the lease and give reasonable notice except in emergencies. | RSMo chs. 441 and 535 (tables of contents) Checked against the official source |
| Montana | 24 hours' notice and reasonable times, except emergencies. | Give at least 24 hours' notice unless there is an emergency or it is impracticable, and enter only at reasonable times. Posting notice on the main entry door counts. Entry may be to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit. Tenants may not unreasonably refuse entry or change locks without giving you a key. | MCA 70-24-312 Checked against the official source |
| Nebraska | 24 hours' written notice with the purpose and time window. | Except in emergencies or when impracticable, give at least 24 hours' written notice to each unit stating the purpose and a reasonable time window, and enter only at reasonable times. Entry may be to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit. Do not use access to harass the tenant. | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1423 Checked against the official source |
| Nevada | 24 hours' notice, during normal business hours, except in an emergency. | Entry is allowed to inspect, repair, supply services or show the unit. The tenant can agree to shorter notice for a specific entry. Do not use access to harass. | NRS 118A.330 Checked against the official source |
| New Hampshire | Tenant consent required except for emergency repairs; no fixed notice period. | Tenants cannot unreasonably refuse access for repairs and normal functions after notice that is adequate under the circumstances. Bed bug checks need 48 hours' written notice. Without consent you need an emergency or a court order. | RSA 540-A:3, IV-V-d Checked against the official source |
| New Jersey | No general statute; one day's notice is treated as reasonable for inspections and repairs in multiple dwellings. | In buildings of 3 or more units, tenants must allow access for inspections and repairs needed to comply with the housing code on reasonable notice, which ordinarily is one day, and immediately in a safety or structural emergency. Other entry, such as showings, should be set in the lease. | N.J.A.C. 5:10-5.1(c) Checked against the official source |
| New Mexico | 24 hours' written notice stating purpose, date and estimated time. | No notice is needed for repairs the resident requested within the last 7 days, or for emergencies. Try to accommodate a resident's reasonable alternate time. Repeated or abusive entry lets the resident seek an injunction or end the lease. | NMSA 47-8-24 Checked against the official source |
| New York | No statute sets a notice period; give reasonable notice and enter at reasonable times. | The Attorney General's guide says entry needs reasonable prior notice, a reasonable time, and the tenant's consent for repairs or services, or as the lease allows. Emergencies need no notice. Put entry terms in the lease. | No statute; NY Attorney General tenants' rights guide Secondary source |
| North Carolina | No statewide statute; set entry terms in the lease. | Chapter 42 has no landlord entry or notice section. Write entry rules into the lease, give reasonable notice, and enter at reasonable times unless there is an emergency. | N.C. Gen. Stat. ch. 42 (no provision) Checked against the official source |
| North Dakota | Reasonable hours with tenant consent; notice of a set time counts as consent if the tenant does not object. | Emergencies, suspected abandonment, or a reasonable belief of a substantial lease violation allow entry at any time. Notice can be posted or delivered. Do not use entry to harass. | N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.3 Checked against the official source |
| Ohio | Reasonable notice. 24 hours is presumed reasonable. | Enter only at reasonable times, except in emergencies. Improper or harassing entry lets the tenant recover damages and attorney fees or end the lease. Tenants may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs or showings. | Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.04(A)(8), 5321.05(B) Checked against the official source |
| Oklahoma | At least one day's notice, at reasonable times. | No notice is needed in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. Do not use entry to harass. If a tenant refuses lawful access, you may seek an injunction or end the lease. | 41 O.S. § 128 Checked against the official source |
| Oregon | 24 hours' actual notice, at reasonable times. | The tenant can deny consent by giving notice, and you may not enter over that denial except in emergencies or other listed cases. After an emergency entry while the tenant is away, give notice within 24 hours. A written repair request allows entry for those repairs for 7 days. Unlawful entry exposes you to at least one month's rent in damages. | ORS 90.322 Checked against the official source |
| Pennsylvania | No statewide statute. Follow the lease. | The Landlord and Tenant Act has no entry or notice section. Give reasonable notice and enter at reasonable times, and put the entry terms in the lease. | 68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq. (no provision) Checked against the official source |
| Rhode Island | At least two days' notice, at reasonable times. | No notice is needed in an emergency, or during a tenant absence of more than 7 days if entry is reasonably needed to protect the property. Do not use entry to harass. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26 Checked against the official source |
| South Carolina | 24 hours' notice, at reasonable times. | Exceptions: emergencies; regularly scheduled services between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. if the lease says so conspicuously and you announce yourself; and tenant-requested services between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. after announcing. Tenants may not change locks without permission. | S.C. Code § 27-40-530 Checked against the official source |
| South Dakota | Reasonable notice. 24 hours' written notice is presumed reasonable. | The notice must give the date, a time window during normal business hours, the purpose, and a way for the tenant to ask to reschedule. The lease can set other methods. Emergencies are excepted. | SDCL 43-32-32 Checked against the official source |
| Tennessee | No general notice period. 24 hours' notice to show the unit in the last 30 days of the lease. | Tenants may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs or showings to buyers or contractors. Emergency entry needs no consent. Showing to prospective tenants in the final 30 days needs a lease clause and 24 hours' notice. | Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403 Secondary source |
| Texas | No statewide statute sets an entry notice period. | Chapter 92 of the Property Code has no landlord entry section. Entry rights come from the lease, so include a clear entry clause and give reasonable notice except in emergencies. | Tex. Prop. Code ch. 92 (no entry provision) Checked against the official source |
| Utah | 24 hours' notice, unless the rental agreement says otherwise. | The lease can set a different notice period. A renter may not unreasonably deny access or refuse entry for repairs. | Utah Code §§ 57-22-4(2), 57-22-5(2)(c) Checked against the official source |
| Vermont | 48 hours' notice, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. | Entry is allowed to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit. Enter without notice only if you reasonably believe there is imminent danger to people or property. | 9 V.S.A. § 4460 Checked against the official source |
| Virginia | Reasonable notice at reasonable times; 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance the tenant did not request. | Emergencies are excepted. Tenants may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, repair, or show the unit. Routine maintenance must happen within 14 days of the notice. | Va. Code § 55.1-1229 Checked against the official source |
| Washington | Two days' written notice; one day's notice to show the unit. | The notice must give the date and time window and a phone number for objections. Emergencies are excepted. Enter only at reasonable times. | RCW 59.18.150 Checked against the official source |
| West Virginia | No statewide statute sets an entry notice period. | Articles 6 and 6A of Chapter 37 have no entry section. Entry rights come from the lease, so include an entry clause and give reasonable notice except in emergencies. | W. Va. Code ch. 37, arts. 6 and 6A (no entry provision) Checked against the official source |
| Wisconsin | 12 hours' advance notice, for inspection, repairs, or showing. | No notice is needed if the tenant consents or requests the entry, for emergencies, or when the tenant is absent and entry is needed to protect the property. Entry must be at reasonable times. | ATCP 134.09(2) Checked against the official source |
| Wyoming | No statute sets entry notice. | Renters may not unreasonably refuse entry for repairs, inspection, or showing the unit. Put entry terms in the lease and give reasonable notice. | Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1205(a)(iii) Checked against the official source |
Laws change. Each rule shows its source and the date it was last checked. Read the statute and talk to a local attorney before acting.
Talk through your operation with Julian
20 minutes, no slides. Bring the part of your business that eats the most time, whether it is owner leads, renewals, maintenance or the phones, and leave with the two or three changes that would move it most.
Book a 20-minute call
With Julian Calvo, who works with property management companies at LeadSimple.