Can my landlord enter without notice in Ontario?

Only in limited cases: an emergency, the tenant's consent at the time of entry, cleaning that the tenancy agreement requires, care home checks the agreement requires, or showing the unit to prospective tenants once the tenancy is ending, after trying to tell the tenant. Otherwise, 24 hours' written notice is needed.

Does the 24-hour notice have to be in writing?

Yes. Section 27 requires written notice at least 24 hours before entry, stating the reason, the day and a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Can a landlord enter for repairs if the tenant isn't home?

Yes, if proper written notice was given. The LTB says a landlord who gives correct notice can enter even when the tenant is not at home.

Can I email a notice of entry to my tenant?

Only if the tenant has agreed in writing to accept documents by email, such as in the standard lease or the LTB's Consent to Service by Email form.

What can a tenant do about an illegal entry?

They can file a T2 Application about Tenant Rights with the LTB within one year. Remedies can include a rent abatement, out-of-pocket costs or an administrative fine.

24-Hour Notice of Entry in Ontario: When and How a Landlord Can Enter a Rental Unit

Checked against official Ontario sources on October 14, 2026. General information, not legal advice.

In Ontario, a landlord can enter a rental unit only as sections 26 and 27 of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 allow. For most planned visits, such as repairs or inspections, you must give the tenant written notice at least 24 hours ahead, stating the reason, the day and a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Entry without written notice is limited to emergencies, the tenant's consent at the time, and a few narrow cases.

When can an Ontario landlord enter without notice?

Section 25 of the Residential Tenancies Act says a landlord may enter a rental unit only under section 26 (without notice) or section 27 (with notice). Section 26 allows entry at any time without written notice:

In cases of emergency. The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) gives a fire as an example.
If the tenant consents to the entry at the time of entry.

Section 26 also allows entry without written notice in two other situations:

To clean the unit, if the tenancy agreement requires regular cleaning. Entry must be at the times the agreement sets or, if none are set, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
To show the unit to prospective tenants, if the tenancy is ending by agreement or by a notice of termination from either side. The landlord must first tell the tenant, or make a reasonable effort to.

In a care home, section 142 lets a landlord enter at regular intervals to check on the tenant if the tenancy agreement requires it. The tenant can cancel that provision by written notice.

What reasons allow entry with 24 hours' written notice?

Section 27 lets a landlord enter by giving the tenant written notice at least 24 hours before the time of entry, for these reasons:

To carry out a repair or replacement, or to do work in the rental unit.
To let a potential mortgagee or insurer of the residential complex view the unit.
To let an engineer, architect or other qualified person inspect the unit for a requirement under subsection 9 (4) of the Condominium Act, 1998.
To inspect the unit, where reasonable, to check that it is in a good state of repair, fit to live in and meets health, safety, housing and maintenance standards.
For any other reasonable reason for entry specified in the tenancy agreement.
To let a potential purchaser view the unit. A registered real estate broker or salesperson with the landlord's written authorization may also enter for this purpose.

What must a notice of entry include?

Under subsection 27 (3), the written notice must state:

The reason for entry.
The day of entry.
A time of entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The LTB says that if you give the tenant proper notice, you may enter even if the tenant is not home.

There is no N-numbered notice of entry. The N5 is a notice to end a tenancy for interfering with others, damage or overcrowding. The LTB's forms page does not list a notice of entry form. The Act requires written notice that contains the three items above.

How do you deliver a 24-hour entry notice?

Section 191 of the Act lists ways a notice can be given to a tenant, including:

Handing it to the tenant.
Handing it to an apparently adult person in the rental unit.
Leaving it in the mailbox where the tenant's mail is ordinarily delivered or, if there is no mailbox, at the place where mail is ordinarily delivered.
Mailing it to the tenant's last known address.
Any other method allowed by the LTB's Rules.

The LTB's brochure on serving documents names the notice of entry as one of the notices a landlord may need to give. It also explains when the LTB considers a document received. Handing it over or leaving it in the mailbox counts the same day. Regular mail counts 5 days after mailing. Email counts the day it is sent, but only if the tenant has agreed in writing to receive documents by email, for example in the standard lease or on the LTB's Consent to Service by Email form. Put another way, the method you choose decides when the 24 hours start counting. Plan ahead, especially if you are mailing the notice.

What happens if a landlord enters illegally?

A tenant can apply to the LTB, using the T2 Application about Tenant Rights, for an order finding that the landlord, superintendent or agent illegally entered the unit. The application must be filed within one year of the entry.

If the Board agrees, section 31 lets it, among other things:

Order the landlord not to do it again.
Order a rent abatement or payment of the tenant's reasonable out-of-pocket costs.
Order an administrative fine of up to the greater of $10,000 and the Small Claims Court monetary limit.
Terminate the tenancy or make any other order it considers appropriate.

Illegal entry is also an offence under section 234. Ontario's Rental Housing Enforcement Unit helps with disagreements about offences under the Act.

How Propmo helps

When a repair is booked through Propmo, the tradesperson proposes visit times and the tenant picks one, which serves as their consent to the visit. If the tenant hasn't picked a time within 24 hours, Propmo prompts the landlord and drafts a 24-hour entry notice from the tradesperson's earliest slot that allows it; the landlord reviews and sends it — nothing is served automatically. Sam, Propmo's maintenance assistant, follows up with tenants about every 24 hours until a visit time is confirmed. Price: $35 CAD per unit per month.

Try Propmo

Frequently asked questions

Can my landlord enter without notice in Ontario?: Only in limited cases: an emergency, the tenant's consent at the time of entry, cleaning that the tenancy agreement requires, care home checks the agreement requires, or showing the unit to prospective tenants once the tenancy is ending, after trying to tell the tenant. Otherwise, 24 hours' written notice is needed.
Does the 24-hour notice have to be in writing?: Yes. Section 27 requires written notice at least 24 hours before entry, stating the reason, the day and a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Is the Ontario notice of entry form the N5?: No. The N5 is a notice to end a tenancy for interfering with others, damage or overcrowding. The LTB's forms page does not list a notice of entry form.
Can a landlord enter for repairs if the tenant isn't home?: Yes, if proper written notice was given. The LTB says a landlord who gives correct notice can enter even when the tenant is not at home.
Can I email a notice of entry to my tenant?: Only if the tenant has agreed in writing to accept documents by email, such as in the standard lease or the LTB's Consent to Service by Email form.
What can a tenant do about an illegal entry?: They can file a T2 Application about Tenant Rights with the LTB within one year. Remedies can include a rent abatement, out-of-pocket costs or an administrative fine.