Right of entry
The landlord's right to enter the rental, usually with 24 or 48 hours' notice, for repairs, inspections, or showings. Rules vary by state.
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Where this comes up: getting ready
Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
The landlord's right of entry is what showings of an occupied rental run on: notice, usually 24 or 48 hours, and reasonable times. Getting the tenant's cooperation beats relying on the minimum.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
State law asks for 24 hours' notice. You and the tenant agree to a written showing schedule instead, with notice by text the day before.
| How entry is arranged | What tends to follow |
|---|---|
| The legal minimum, every time | Showings happen; the tenant is unhappy and the house is not tidy |
| An agreed schedule and a small rent credit | A tenant who keeps the place ready |
| Entry without notice | A violation, and sometimes a tenant who stops cooperating altogether |
Right of entry is the floor. A cooperative tenant is what sells the house.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That listing the home changes the entry rules. It does not; the lease and the state's notice rule stay in force until closing.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
In your Room, this word explains itself where it appears.
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