No. In England your landlord must give you at least 24 hours’ notice and visit at a reasonable time of day, unless it’s an emergency and they need immediate access. Coming in without notice or permission could be harassment.
Your right to live undisturbed
When you rent, the home is yours to live in. GOV.UK says tenants in England have the right to “live in the property undisturbed”. This is often called the right to quiet enjoyment.
Shelter puts it simply: your landlord or letting agent should not come into your home without telling you they are coming, or asking you if it is okay for them to visit. Having a key does not change that.
How much notice your landlord must give in England
You should let your landlord in to inspect the home or carry out repairs. In return, they must follow some basic rules:
- At least 24 hours’ notice. Shelter says this should be in writing.
- A reasonable time of day. Shelter says a visit should not be too early or too late, or when most people would be busy. A reasonable time is one that is likely to suit you.
- A clear reason. Repairs, inspections and safety checks are the usual ones.
Refusing access for repairs, inspections and safety checks can cause problems. Shelter warns it could put your health and safety at risk and break the rules of your tenancy agreement. It could also cause trouble with references or getting your deposit back. If a time doesn’t suit you, reply in writing and suggest another one.
The emergency exception
The 24-hour rule does not apply when there’s an emergency and the landlord needs immediate access. Think of water pouring through a ceiling or a suspected gas leak.
Even then, Shelter says notice could be very short, but your landlord must tell you first and should not just turn up. An emergency is not a routine inspection that the landlord has decided is urgent.
What your tenancy agreement can say
Your tenancy agreement may give your landlord a right to visit for other reasons. Shelter gives the examples of inspections, improvements, or viewings for new tenants. Check what yours says.
Shelter also says you do not have to agree to inspections or viewings unless your agreement says you should. A clause like this does not let your landlord drop the notice and timing rules. Read your agreement when you move in. Our moving into a rented home checklist covers what to look for.
Worked example (fictional)
Priya rents a flat in Leeds. On Monday at 6pm her landlord emails to say he wants to inspect a leaking tap.
| Where | Minimum notice | Notice given | Earliest visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 24 hours | Monday 6pm | Tuesday 6pm |
| Scotland (private residential tenancy) | 48 hours | Monday 6pm | Wednesday 6pm |
Monday 6pm plus 24 hours is Tuesday 6pm. Monday 6pm plus 48 hours is Wednesday 6pm. If Tuesday evening doesn’t suit Priya, she can reply and offer Wednesday morning. A leaking tap is a repair, not an emergency, so the landlord should not let himself in early. Who pays to fix it is covered in who pays for repairs when renting.
Harassment and illegal eviction
Shelter says it could be harassment if your landlord comes in without notice or permission. GOV.UK lists other forms of harassment in England, including:
- stopping services, like electricity
- withholding keys
- threatening to change the locks
- opening or taking post
- threats and physical violence
Illegal eviction includes finding the locks have been changed, or being evicted without a court order. GOV.UK says it is a crime for your landlord to harass you or try to remove you without following the correct process.
What to do:
- Keep a record: dates, times, messages and photos.
- Write to your landlord asking them to give proper notice in future.
- Talk to your local council if you think you’re being harassed or threatened with illegal eviction.
- Contact the police if physical violence or threats are involved.
Scotland and Wales
Scotland: mygov.scot says landlords must give 48 hours’ notice for a private residential tenancy, and 24 hours’ notice for an assured or short assured tenancy. Less notice is allowed in an emergency, such as stopping flooding into a property below. If you refuse access, your landlord can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber).
Wales: Shelter Cymru says your landlord should give you at least 24 hours’ notice in writing before coming to carry out repairs or inspect what needs doing, unless it’s an emergency.
Know your costs as well as your rights
Use the renting calculators to check rent, deposits and moving costs before and during a tenancy.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Private renting – your rights and responsibilities, checked 4 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Harassment and illegal evictions, checked 4 October 2026
- Shelter England: Can your landlord enter without notice?, checked 4 October 2026
- Shelter England: Landlord access to rented homes for repairs, checked 4 October 2026
- mygov.scot: Giving a private landlord access for repairs and inspections, checked 4 October 2026
- Shelter Cymru: Reporting repairs and allowing access, checked 4 October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Report a possible error.