Can my landlord enter without notice?

Only in a genuine emergency (fire, flood, burst pipe, gas leak) or if you give consent at the time. For any routine purpose — repairs, inspections, showings — every Canadian province requires advance written notice, almost always 24 hours.

How much notice does a landlord have to give to enter in Canada?

In every province the standard is 24 hours' written notice, stating the reason and the time of entry. Entry is also limited to specific daytime hours that vary by province (for example 8 a.m.–8 p.m. in Ontario, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. in BC).

Can I refuse to let my landlord in?

You can refuse entry if proper notice was not given or the entry is outside permitted hours. If valid notice was given for a lawful reason, you generally cannot unreasonably refuse — the landlord can apply to the tenancy board for an order if you repeatedly block lawful entry.

What counts as an emergency that lets a landlord enter without notice?

A genuine, urgent threat to the unit or safety: fire, flooding, a burst pipe, a gas leak, or a reasonable belief someone inside needs urgent help. A routine repair that simply wasn't scheduled is not an emergency, and repeatedly claiming 'emergency' can amount to harassment.

Can my landlord enter without notice?

Only in a genuine emergency (fire, flood, burst pipe, gas leak) or if you give consent at the time. For any routine purpose — repairs, inspections, showings — every Canadian province requires advance written notice, almost always 24 hours.

How much notice does a landlord have to give to enter in Canada?

In every province the standard is 24 hours' written notice, stating the reason and the time of entry. Entry is also limited to specific daytime hours that vary by province (for example 8 a.m.–8 p.m. in Ontario, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. in BC).

Can I refuse to let my landlord in?

You can refuse entry if proper notice was not given or the entry is outside permitted hours. If valid notice was given for a lawful reason, you generally cannot unreasonably refuse — the landlord can apply to the tenancy board for an order if you repeatedly block lawful entry.

What counts as an emergency that lets a landlord enter without notice?

A genuine, urgent threat to the unit or safety: fire, flooding, a burst pipe, a gas leak, or a reasonable belief someone inside needs urgent help. A routine repair that simply wasn't scheduled is not an emergency, and repeatedly claiming 'emergency' can amount to harassment.

Landlord Entry Rules by Province in Canada

Your landlord can't just show up. In every Canadian province they must give written notice — almost always 24 hours — and enter only during set hours. Here's the rule for every province in one table.

By the LeasePlain Editorial Team · Checked against Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act per our editorial standards·Last reviewed October 2026

Province	Notice required	Permitted hours
Ontario	24 hours, written	8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
British Columbia	24 hours, written	8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Alberta	24 hours, written	Daytime (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Quebec	24 hours	7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Manitoba	24 hours, written	Reasonable hours
Saskatchewan	24 hours, written	8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Nova Scotia	24 hours, written	9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
New Brunswick	24 hours, written	8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Prince Edward Island	24 hours, written	Reasonable hours
Newfoundland & Labrador	24 hours, written	9 a.m. – 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Notes by province

Ontario: Notice (RTA s.27) must state the reason, date, and time. No notice needed for genuine emergencies or if you consent.
British Columbia: Residential Tenancy Act s.29. Entry is limited to once a week for most routine purposes unless you agree otherwise.
Alberta: RTA s.23. After-hours entry is not allowed without an emergency or your consent.
Quebec: Civil Code art.1931; art.1932 prohibits harassment through excessive entry. You can refuse entry outside these hours.
Manitoba: Residential Tenancies Act s.33. A showing requires 24 hours' notice; the notice must give a time.
Saskatchewan: Residential Tenancies Act s.47. Entry must be at a reasonable time stated in the notice.
Nova Scotia: Residential Tenancies Act. Entry only for a valid reason; emergencies are the exception.
New Brunswick: Entry must be at a reasonable hour unless you agree otherwise.
Prince Edward Island: Residential Tenancy Act. Notice required for repairs, work, or showings to prospective tenants/buyers.
Newfoundland & Labrador: Residential Tenancies Act, 2018. Once notice to end the tenancy is given, only 4 hours' notice is needed for showings.

The big picture

The rule is remarkably consistent across Canada: 24 hours' written notice, stating the reason and time, and entry only during daytime hours. The main differences are the exact hours window and whether showings get a shorter notice once you've given notice to move out. The two universal exceptions are a genuine emergency and your own consent at the time.

Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current requirement with your provincial residential-tenancy authority before relying on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related guides & comparisons

General information, not legal advice. Entry rules vary by province and lease. Confirm with your provincial tenancy authority for your situation.