What Ontario requires
- A landlord may enter a rental unit only in accordance with section 26 or 27Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 25
- A landlord may enter without written notice in an emergency or if the tenant consents at the time of entry; to clean, if the agreement requires regular cleaning; and, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. after making a reasonable effort to inform the tenant, to show the unit once the tenancy is endingResidential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 26 (1) to (3)
- With written notice given at least 24 hours before, a landlord may enter to carry out a repair or replacement or do work, let a potential mortgagee or insurer view the unit, allow a qualified person's inspection under the Condominium Act, inspect the unit's state of repair where reasonable, for another reasonable reason in the tenancy agreement, or let a potential purchaser view itResidential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 27 (1), (2)
- The written notice specifies the reason for entry, the day of entry and a time of entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 27 (3)
- A tenant may apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for an order that the landlord illegally entered the unit, within one yearResidential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 29 (1) para. 6, (2)
- Entering where the Act does not permit it, or without first complying with sections 26 or 27, is an offence, with fines of up to 100,000 dollars for an individual and 500,000 dollars for a corporationResidential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 234 (a), 238 ยท Rental housing offences (Ontario)
Entries that need 24 hours' written notice
Repairs, replacements and other work, viewings by a lender, insurer or buyer, an engineer's or architect's inspection for a condominium, a reasonable inspection of the unit's state of repair, and any other reasonable reason written into the tenancy agreement all need written notice at least 24 hours ahead. The notice states the reason, the day and a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Entries without notice
Emergencies and the tenant's consent at the door need no written notice. Regular cleaning agreed in the tenancy agreement and showings to new tenants after notice of termination are allowed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., the showings only after a reasonable effort to tell the tenant first.
Illegal entry
A tenant can ask the Landlord and Tenant Board for an order within a year of an illegal entry. Entering without the required notice, at a time the Act does not allow, or for a reason it does not allow is also an offence, with fines of up to 100,000 dollars for an individual and 500,000 dollars for a corporation.
Common mistakes
- A notice with no time, or a time outside 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Giving notice by text or phone only: the Act requires written notice.
- Inspecting "just to check" without a reason the Act or the tenancy agreement allows.
- Entering less than 24 hours after the notice.
Sources
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 25, checked October 26, 2026
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 26 (1) to (3), checked October 26, 2026
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 27 (1), (2), checked October 26, 2026
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 27 (3), checked October 26, 2026
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 29 (1) para. 6, (2), checked October 26, 2026
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 234 (a), 238, checked October 26, 2026
- Rental housing offences (Ontario), checked October 26, 2026
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Next review due January 26, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.