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Can a landlord enter a rental property without notice?
By the VoxaMTD team. Last verified 31 October 2026
Generally no. GOV.UK says a landlord has a legal right to enter the property to inspect it or carry out repairs, but must give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice. Immediate access may be possible in emergencies.
The same GOV.UK page says the tenant has the right to stay in the property during repairs. It does not set a limit on how often a landlord may inspect, so a monthly or weekly visit is a question of what is reasonable and what your tenancy agreement says. Give notice in writing, state the reason for the visit, and agree a time that suits the tenant where you can.
Gas safety checks are the usual reason for needing access. HSE says you must never force entry. Keep a record of every request, leave a notice with your contact details and write to explain that the check is a legal requirement. A dated log of notices sent and replies received is useful evidence that you acted reasonably if a tenant refuses access.