• Housing
• Rent a Home
• Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

Can my landlord enter my home?

Yes, but only in certain situations. In an emergency, your landlord may enter at any time without notice.

Usually, your landlord must:

• Send you a note that says why they want to come in,
• Let you know 24 hours before they enter, and 
• Come into your home between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. only

But, if there is an emergency, your landlord can come into your home without letting you know first.

Your Rights as a Tenant

You have many rights as a tenant. These are explained in the Residential Tenancies Act.

For example, you have the right to privacy. This means your landlord has to let you know that they are coming, most of the time. They also need a reason to come into your home. For example, your landlord may want to come into your home to:

• Fix something or check that things are working (like your oven, fridge or air conditioner)
• Make sure your home is safe (following the laws for safety and standards i.e. checking your smoke detectors)
• Show the home to someone who wants to buy it, or to an insurer or mortgage lender
• Look over your home before the building is turned into a condominium

These are some of the common reasons that landlords have for wanting to come into your home. But, your landlord can come into your home for most reasonable purposes.

When you moved into your home, you signed an agreement or lease. Read this document. It explains some of the reasons your landlord can have for coming into your home.   

When You Move

Your landlord can come into your home to show it to someone who might live there when you move out. In this case, your landlord does not have to tell you in writing before coming in. But they must try to let you know first.

Your landlord can only show your home to another person when:

• You and your landlord have agreed that you will be moving out; or
• You have decided to leave; or
• Your landlord has asked you to leave

Remember, your landlord can only bring another person into your home between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Cleaning Your Home

In some cases, the landlord cleans your home. Your lease may tell you what day and time they come. Otherwise, they can come into your home without telling you first but only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.  

In an Emergency

Your landlord can come into your home at any time if there is an emergency. An emergency is something unexpected and dangerous, like a fire or flood. In emergencies, your landlord does not have to tell you they are coming in first.

My landlord came into my home without my permission, what are my rights?

If your landlord has come into your home without permission, you can file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board.

You can also use the Navigate Tribunals Ontario online tool and customize your search to access resources on your rights and and responsibilities. The tool is designed to help you navigate the rules set out by the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Contact a legal clinic or housing help centre for more specific information. Find local legal help at Services Near Me.

For More Information

• Landlord and Tenant Board - Provides information about the RTA and to resolve disputes between most residential landlords and tenants.
• What Tenants Need to Know About the Law - Topics covered include rent increases, deposits and other charges, repairs and maintenance, privacy, moving out, and eviction.