Landlord Right of Entry: Ontario Rules and Best Practices

Ontario landlords have the right to enter rental units, but strict rules govern when and how. Understanding your obligations prevents disputes.

Property Management in Ontario

The right of entry into a tenant's rental unit is a recurring source of landlord-tenant friction in Ontario. The Residential Tenancies Act establishes clear rules for when and how a landlord may enter, and violations — even unintentional ones — can result in LTB applications and orders.

Written notice of 24 hours is required for most entry purposes. The notice must specify the date and time of entry (within a four-hour window on the specified date), state the reason for entry, and be provided in writing to the tenant. Verbal notice is insufficient. Slipping a note under the door or emailing counts as written notice.

Key Responsibilities and Best Practices

Permitted reasons for entry include: showing the unit to prospective tenants or buyers; making repairs; conducting an inspection; completing work ordered by a government authority; and allowing a property manager, tradesperson, or authorized person to access the unit for the same purposes.

Emergency entry is permitted without notice when there is an emergency — a burst pipe, fire risk, suspected gas leak, or similar urgent situation. The landlord may enter immediately to address the emergency and should document the circumstances and notify the tenant as soon as practicable.

How D&D Property Management Helps

The four-hour window in the notice must be reasonable — between 8 AM and 8 PM, unless the tenant agrees otherwise. Repeatedly booking entries early morning or late evening, or providing notice then entering at a different time, constitutes harassment and can result in an order from the LTB.

D&D Property Management manages all tenant entry communications for our clients, ensuring proper notice is provided for every entry and documentation is maintained. Our processes protect landlords from inadvertent RTA violations on this frequently contentious issue.

Devon Moore, Operations Lead Co-Founder & Operations Lead — D&D Property Management

Devon Moore is the co-founder and Operations Lead at D&D Property Management, managing rental properties across Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and Waterloo Region.