Here’s How Many Notifications Your Landlord Should Give You Before Showing Up.
If you know your landlord is going to visit your apartment, you probably at least consider cleaning up. Make sure you don’t need to shower during their expected arrival window. You hide any contraband.
But tell them that your landlord just arrived without warning. It can’t be legal, can it?
The tricky answer: it depends on the circumstances. The rules for landlord access to rental properties vary from state to state. While some states do not specify a notice period, some states consider it reasonable to give 12, 24, or 48 hours notice. Some states only require vague “reasonable notice” (I’m looking at you, Indiana. You, too, New Hampshire). Nolo lists every law on access to rent, and you might be wondering what the rule is in your state.
Of course, this Notice of Intended Access is for non-emergency needs such as inspecting, repairing, or showing the property to potential tenants. If you requested maintenance, your state’s notice period may not apply to that request.
If there is an emergency similar to a fire or a pipe burst, this notice period certainly does not apply, and to be honest, you have more serious issues to deal with.
But if you want to make sure your landlord didn’t just drop by because he was “next door,” take a look at what’s on your lease and compare it to your state’s law. For a list of states, see the summary of state laws relating to homeowner access, Nolo.