Access to your rented home for repairs and inspections
You need to let your landlord into your home to:
check gas and electrical safety
fix problems that you have reported
deal with problems that make your home unfit to live in
deal with serious damp and mould that affects your health
Council or housing association landlords must make your home safe in:
Check your tenancy agreement to see if your landlord can visit for other reasons.
For example, inspections, improvements or viewings for new tenants.
Your landlord should not use these reasons to visit too often or disturb you.
You have the right to live in your home without being disturbed.
It could be harassment if your landlord comes in without notice or permission.
When your landlord can visit
Landlords should only do work or inspect your home at reasonable times.
A 'reasonable time' means a time that is likely to suit you.
It should not be too early or too late or when most people would be busy.
You should get:
at least 24 hours' written notice of an inspection
reasonable notice if someone needs to carry out repairs
'Reasonable notice' is usually at least 24 hours.
It could be very short notice if you need emergency repairs. Your landlord must tell you first and should not just turn up.
Your landlord can send someone else to inspect your home or fix a problem, like a contractor or an agent.
If an appointment is not convenient
Suggest a different time.
You might not need to be there in person.
You could:
ask a family member or neighbour to let them in
give your landlord or agent permission to enter with a key
You can copy our template into a message or email:
You've asked to visit on [date and time].
Unfortunately, this will not work for me because [your reason].
Would [date] work instead? I can be more flexible that day.
If I do not need to be at home for the visit, I am also happy to [say what arrangements you can make to let the landlord in].
Your landlord should not just turn up if you do not agree to an appointment.
Shared houses
Your rights might be different in a shared house.
Your landlord cannot come into your home without notice if you have a joint tenancy for the whole property.
If you have a separate tenancy agreement for your own bedroom, your landlord cannot come into your room without notice.
But they can usually come into shared areas like kitchens and bathrooms without asking.
They must have a good reason to be there and should treat the property as your home.
They should not come in too often or when it does not suit.
Your tenancy agreement might give you more rights.
If you have a licence agreement
Your landlord can enter your room without permission if you have a licence agreement not a tenancy.
Your licence agreement should tell you more about your rights.
Licence agreements are not common. Get advice if you have one.
Do not refuse access for repairs
Refusing access for repairs, inspections and safety checks could:
put your health and safety at risk
break the rules of your tenancy agreement
Your landlord might ask you to pay towards fixing a problem if it becomes worse because you did not let your landlord in to fix it.
If you're worried about your health
Let your landlord know if someone coming into your home might put your health at risk.
You could agree steps to reduce contact and get work done while staying safe.
You can copy our template into a message or email:
You've asked to visit on [date and time].
This might put my health at risk because [explain why you are vulnerable].
To reduce this risk, I need to ask that [for example, everyone uses hand sanitiser, avoids touching surfaces, maintains physical distance and wears a mask].
I am happy for the visit to go ahead if we can agree these steps to look after my health.
If you have bad physical or mental health
You could ask your landlord to wait until you feel better.
Make it clear that you will agree a different time as soon as you are well.
You can copy our template into a message or email:
You've asked to visit on [date and time].
I am not well at the moment [give more details if you are happy to].
Please could we agree a new time when I am feeling better?
I will be in touch to update you on my situation and arrange the visit as soon as possible.
Access for painting and home improvements
Painting and decorating are not repairs.
Your landlord does not have to repaint or redecorate unless there is damage after fixing something in your home. For example, repainting after a leak.
Bigger jobs such as a new kitchen, bathroom or windows are not usually repairs unless this is the only way a problem can be fixed.
Check your tenancy agreement about your landlord's access for improvements.
You might have to let your landlord in if your tenancy agreement says so.
Your landlord should not use this as a reason to disturb or harass you.
If your landlord wants to redecorate before you leave
Sometimes landlords want to decorate or renovate as soon as you give your notice.
This is usually so that new tenants can move straight in.
You do not have to give access for this if you do not want the work to go ahead while you still live there.
Viewings when your landlord is selling
Your landlord might ask you to let them and potential buyers into your home if they want to sell your home.
You do not have to let them in unless your tenancy agreement says so.
If your agreement says you must let them in, you can ask your landlord to organise viewings at times that suit you.
If your tenancy agreement says you must allow viewings, your landlord still needs you to agree.
They might take legal steps to access the property for viewings if you refuse.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
