My landlord keeps entering the flat without asking - is this allowed?
Direct answer
No. Your landlord must give at least 24 hours written notice and only enter at reasonable times. Repeated unannounced entry can amount to harassment under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
Once you have a tenancy, the property is your home in law, even though the landlord owns it. You have the right to quiet enjoyment, which means the right to live there without unjustified intrusion. The landlord keeps a right of access for limited purposes - mainly to inspect the condition or carry out repairs - but section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 only lets them in at reasonable times of day and after giving at least 24 hours' written notice. They still need your agreement to the visit; the notice does not give them an automatic key-in-the-door right.
The only real exception is a genuine emergency, such as a burst pipe, gas leak, or fire, where waiting would risk serious damage or danger. Outside that, letting themselves in, turning up unannounced, entering while you are out, or coming round so often that it disrupts your life can all amount to harassment under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 - a criminal offence - and a breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment.
What to do: tell the landlord in writing that you withdraw consent to entry without proper notice and ask them to arrange visits in advance. Keep a log of every unannounced entry with dates and times. If it continues, report it to your council's Tenancy Relations or Environmental Health team, and in serious cases you can seek an injunction and damages. A landlord cannot retaliate by evicting you for refusing unlawful entry.
This page provides general legal information for renters in England. It is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or contact your local Citizens Advice.
Free checkers
- Illegal eviction checker
Run the free interactive checker for a personalised statute-backed analysis. - More renter questions
Browse the full hub of long-tail tenant rights questions.
Related guidance inside this topic
- If your next step turns on legacy Section 21 notice rules, read Section 21 checker.
- For the dates, forms, and evidence behind legacy Section 21 notice rules, see Section 21 validity guides before you respond.
- If this issue overlaps with legacy Section 21 notice rules, check tenant rights guide to compare the legal tests.
- For a fuller breakdown of deposit protection and deduction disputes, use tenancy deposit prescribed information rules for the underlying rule set.
- If you need the route-specific rules on legacy Section 21 notice rules, start with tenant FAQ hub so you can check the dates and documents against your own case.
Related articles
- Deposit protected late? Section 21 may be invalid
How late deposit protection after the 30-day deadline affects a legacy Section 21 notice. - Deposit amount and address in prescribed information
Why the deposit amount and property address matter in the Section 21 prescribed information checklist. - Section 21 abolished: what happens now?
The transition guide for pre-cutoff notices, the 1 May 2026 changeover, and when possession analysis switches to Section 8. - Old rules vs new rules after May 2026
The side-by-side transition guide for Section 21, Section 8, rent increases, and periodic tenancies after 1 May 2026. - Renters' Rights Act 2026: complete guide
The main reform guide covering Section 21 abolition, Section 8, rent increases, pets, and private rented sector enforcement changes.
Common questions
- My landlord keeps entering the flat without asking - is this allowed?
- No. Your landlord must give at least 24 hours written notice and only enter at reasonable times. Repeated unannounced entry can amount to harassment under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
- Can a landlord enter without permission in the UK?
- No. In England a landlord cannot enter your home without your permission except in a genuine emergency. They must give at least 24 hours' written notice, enter only at reasonable times, and have your agreement. Entering without this can be harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
- Can a landlord enter the property without notice?
- Only in a real emergency such as a fire, flood, or gas leak. For routine inspections or repairs they must give at least 24 hours' written notice and come at a reasonable time. Repeated entry without notice is unlawful and can amount to harassment.
- What can I do if my landlord keeps entering without permission?
- Tell them in writing to stop and to arrange visits in advance, log each incident with dates, and report persistent breaches to your council's Tenancy Relations team. In serious cases you can apply for an injunction and claim damages. You cannot be lawfully evicted for refusing unlawful entry.
Use the interactive checker on getrentersrights.com for the full step-by-step result.