Landlord entry and privacy
Last updated: August 21, 2026
Your landlord generally must give reasonable advance notice before entering, except in a genuine emergency. It's your home while you rent it. Log each entry and the notice you were given.
Educational — information, not legal advice, and not attorney-reviewed. Rules depend on your state, city, and lease; the app shows the verified rule for where you live.
What this means
Renting a home gives you the right to live in it privately. In most states a landlord must give advance notice before entering for repairs, inspections, or showings, and pick a reasonable time. The exact notice is set by your state.
A true emergency — fire, flood, gas leak — is the main exception. Wanting to “check in,” drop by, or show the unit is not an emergency, and repeated unannounced entry can become harassment.
What to do
- Write down each entry: date, time, who came, and the notice you got.
- Send a calm written request for proper advance notice going forward.
- Check your lease for entry terms — it can't undercut your state minimum.
- If entries continue or feel threatening, contact a tenant hotline or legal aid.
Your rights vary by state
The specific deadlines and limits are set where you live. Start with your state:
Common questions
Turn this into action.
Renter Shield shows your state's verified rule, drafts calm letters, tracks deadlines, and keeps your evidence private on your device — free to start.