A 48-hour notice to enter is a formal notification from a landlord to a tenant telling them that the landlord will enter the property at a specific date and time. The notice will explain a reason, such as performing maintenance, repairs, or inspection. The landlord may also need to enter to show the unit to prospective buyers or tenants.
This advanced notice ensures that the tenants are aware and prepared for the landlord’s entry. It helps landlords respect tenants’ privacy but still allows them to fulfill their responsibilities. Landlords should ensure adequate delivery of this notice by posting it at the tenant’s door or handing it to them personally. Landlords should never use a 48-hour notice to enter to threaten or harass tenants.
What About Emergency Access?
Landlords must adhere to 48-hour notice requirements when possible in states that enforce them. However, in some situations, the landlord may call for entry without notice. A landlord can enter without issuing notice if there’s an emergency.
Examples of emergencies that would permit the landlord’s unannounced entry include the following:
- Security breaches
- Pest infestations or mold growth that present health risks
- Smoke permeating from the unit
- Water flowing out from underneath the door
- Signs of a gas leak
- Signs of electrical hazards like power outages or exposed wiring
- Structural damages
States Where a 48-Notice to Enter Is Required
Here is a list of states that require landlords to issue 48 hours’ notice before they can enter a property at which a tenant is living:
| State | Law | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Ala. Code § 35-9A-303 | n/a |
| Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1343 | n/a |
| Colorado | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-1004 | Only for bed bug infestations |
| Delaware | Del. Code tit. 25 § 5509 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | D.C. Code § 8-231.06 and D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 | n/a |
| Hawaii | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-53 | n/a |
| Kentucky | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.585 | n/a |
| New Hampshire | NH Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3 | Only for bed bug infestations |
| Rhode Island | RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-26 | n/a |
| Vermont | 9 V.S.A. § 4460 | n/a |
| Washington | Wash. Rev. Code § 59-18-150 | n/a |
