Verified October 31, 2026 against Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Interpretation Guideline 6, the LTB’s T2 application instructions, its forms and fees page and its September 21, 2026 operational update.
The short answer: in Ontario, a landlord can usually enter your rental unit only after giving you 24 hours’ written notice, and only between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The notice must state the date, the time and the reason, and the reason has to be one the law allows, such as repairs, an inspection or a showing to a buyer. A landlord can come in without notice in an emergency, or if you agree at the time they arrive. If a landlord enters illegally, you can apply to the LTB within one year. These rules come from Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, so they are the same in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton and the rest of the GTA.
Entry with 24 hours’ written notice
The LTB’s guideline on tenant rights says a landlord “can enter a rental unit between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm if they have given the tenant a written notice of entry at least 24 hours in advance.” The notice only works for certain purposes. The guideline lists them:
- Repairs or other work in the unit.
- An inspection, if it is reasonable to do so, or to find out whether repairs are needed.
- A viewing by a potential mortgage lender or insurer of the property.
- An inspection before a condominium conversion.
- Any other reason that is reasonable and set out in the tenancy agreement.
The LTB’s brochure for new tenants puts it simply: “Your landlord can only enter your rental unit for the reasons allowed by the RTA.” A message saying “I’ll drop by this week to look around” does not meet the rule. The notice must be in writing, given at least 24 hours ahead, and it must name a lawful reason.
The Ontario standard lease, which most residential landlords must use, also describes when a landlord can enter. If your lease adds a reason for entry, that reason still has to be reasonable.
When a landlord can enter without notice
The guideline says a landlord “can enter a rental unit at any time without written notice” in two main cases:
- An emergency. A burst pipe, a fire or a gas leak are the kind of situations people usually mean. The rule is not limited to daytime hours.
- You consent at the time. If the landlord knocks and you let them in, the entry is lawful. Consent given at the door is your choice, and you can say no.
The LTB lists a few narrower cases too. A landlord can enter without written notice to clean the unit if the tenancy agreement requires the landlord to clean, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. unless the agreement sets other hours. Care homes can make checks on residents if the agreement provides for it. And once a notice to end the tenancy has been given, the landlord can show the unit to prospective tenants, which is covered below.
The LTB’s T2 instructions sum it up plainly: “It is illegal to enter a rental unit under any circumstances not described above.”
Every entry situation at a glance
| Situation | Written notice needed? | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | No | Any time |
| Tenant agrees at the time of entry | No | Any time |
| Cleaning, if the lease says the landlord cleans | No | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., unless the lease sets other hours |
| Showing to a prospective tenant after a notice to end the tenancy, or an agreement to end it | No, but the landlord must make a reasonable effort to tell you first | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Repairs or other work | Yes, 24 hours | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Inspection (reasonable, or to check for needed repairs) | Yes, 24 hours | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Showing to a buyer, lender or insurer | Yes, 24 hours | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Inspection before a condo conversion | Yes, 24 hours | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Other reasonable reason set out in the lease | Yes, 24 hours | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
Source: LTB Interpretation Guideline 6 and the LTB’s T2 instructions.
What a valid notice of entry looks like
The guideline is specific: “A written notice of entry must specify the date, time and the reason for entering the rental unit.” The time matters. The LTB cites a Divisional Court decision, Wrona v. Toronto Community Housing, in which a notice giving a six-hour window was not enough. The notice has to name an actual time.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| It is in writing | The rule is written notice. A phone call alone does not count. |
| It arrives at least 24 hours before entry | Less notice means the landlord needs your consent or an emergency to come in. |
| It gives the date | Required by the LTB guideline. |
| It gives a specific time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. | A broad window, such as six hours, was found not sufficient. |
| It states a lawful reason | Repairs, inspection, a showing or a reason in the lease. No reason, no right of entry. |
Showings to buyers and new tenants
Showings are where most entry disputes start, especially in the GTA, where many rented condos and houses are sold with tenants still living in them.
When the home is for sale
A landlord can give a registered real estate broker or salesperson written authorization to show the unit to a buyer. The LTB is clear that “24 hours written notice is still required, and they must only enter the unit between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.” A listing agent cannot skip the notice because the landlord gave them a key.
When the tenancy is ending
Once either side has given a notice of termination, or you and the landlord have agreed to end the tenancy, the landlord can show the unit to prospective tenants without a formal written notice. They may only do so between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and they “must make a reasonable effort to inform the tenant before entering.”
Can you refuse entry?
It depends on whether the landlord is following the rules. Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) puts it this way: “If the landlord does not have a valid reason or they are not following the rules, they do not have a right to come into your home, and you do not have to let them in.”
The flip side also holds. If the landlord has given proper written notice for a lawful reason and arrives at the stated time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., the law allows the entry whether or not you are home. You do not need to be present, and you do not get to veto a valid repair or inspection.
CLEO also notes that “You can let your landlord in at other times and for other reasons but that is your choice.” Many tenants are happy to let a superintendent in on short notice to fix a leak. That is fine, as long as it is your decision.
If you are worried about a visit, CLEO suggests telling the landlord you expect them to follow the notice rules, and showing them a factsheet or government page about tenant privacy.
If your landlord enters illegally
A tenant can file a T2 Application about Tenant Rights with the LTB. The T2 instructions list “entered my rental unit illegally” as one of the reasons, and it covers entries by the landlord, the landlord’s agent or the superintendent. The guideline says the application “must be filed within one year of the alleged illegal entry.”
| Remedy | What the LTB says |
|---|---|
| Rent abatement | The landlord pays back part of the rent. The guideline calls it the most common remedy. |
| Order to stop | For example, an order that the landlord not enter unless they strictly follow the entry rules. Breaking that order is an offence. |
| Fine paid to the LTB | Cannot exceed $50,000 or the Small Claims Court monetary limit for the area, whichever is greater. |
| Maximum on your claim | “The most the LTB can order based on your claim is $50,000.” |
The filing fee for a T2 is $53, or $48 if you file through the Tribunals Ontario Portal, according to the LTB’s forms and fees page in October 2026.
Ontario made a round of changes to the Residential Tenancies Act that took effect at the LTB on September 21, 2026, under Bill 60 and Bill 97. The LTB’s operational update on those changes covers items such as a shorter N4 notice period and a new T5 deadline. It does not list any change to the entry rules or the T2. We will update this guide if that changes.
Tips for landlords and owners
Many Local Toronto readers own a condo they rent out or have a basement suite. A few habits keep you on the right side of the rules and keep the tenancy friendly:
- Use a simple written notice every time. Date, a specific time, the reason. Send it well before 24 hours when you can.
- Stay inside 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. unless there is a real emergency.
- Brief your agent. If you are selling, make sure your listing agent knows showings to buyers still need 24 hours’ written notice.
- Bundle visits. Book the plumber and your inspection for the same visit instead of three separate entries in one week.
- Check whether the Act applies. If you share a kitchen or bathroom with your tenant and live there yourself, the rules can differ. Our guide to renting out a basement in Toronto explains when the Residential Tenancies Act covers a suite.
Entry is only one part of being a landlord in the GTA. Heat is another. See how warm your landlord has to keep your home. In Peel, check the Brampton rental licence rules and how to register a second unit in Mississauga.
Thinking about buying a home with a rental suite, or selling one with a tenant in place? Start on our home buying page, or get a free home evaluation to see what your property could sell for.
FAQ
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in Ontario?
In most cases, at least 24 hours’ written notice. The notice must give the date, a specific time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and a reason allowed by the Residential Tenancies Act.
Can my landlord enter when I am not home?
Yes, if they gave proper 24-hour written notice for a lawful reason and come at the stated time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. You do not have to be there. Without proper notice, they need an emergency or your consent.
Can my landlord enter without notice?
Only in limited cases: an emergency, when you consent at the time, for cleaning if the lease says the landlord cleans, or to show the unit to prospective tenants after a notice to end the tenancy, with a reasonable effort to tell you first.
Does a notice of entry need a specific time?
Yes. The written notice must state the date, the time and the reason, and it must be given at least 24 hours ahead. A notice giving only a broad window, such as six hours, has been found not to meet the requirement.
Can a real estate agent show my rental unit to buyers?
Yes, with the landlord’s written authorization, but 24 hours’ written notice is still required and showings must be between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
What can I do if my landlord keeps entering illegally?
You can file a T2 Application about Tenant Rights with the Landlord and Tenant Board within one year of the entry. The Board can order a rent abatement, order the landlord to stop and order a fine. The filing fee is $53, or $48 through the Tribunals Ontario Portal.
Sources
- Landlord and Tenant Board, Interpretation Guideline 6: Tenant Rights
- Landlord and Tenant Board, Instructions for the T2 Application about Tenant Rights
- Landlord and Tenant Board, Forms, Filing and Fees
- Tribunals Ontario, LTB Operational Update: Legislative Changes Effective September 21, 2026
- Landlord and Tenant Board, Information for New Tenants (May 2023)
- Government of Ontario, Renting in Ontario: your rights
- CLEO, Does my landlord have a right to come into my home? and What can I do if the landlord ignores the rules about coming into my home?
- Government of Ontario, Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
Images: AI-generated illustrations created for this guide. They do not show real properties.
Rules and fees change; confirm with the Landlord and Tenant Board before you rely on them. Local Toronto, HomeLife Landmark Realty Inc., Brokerage.