When The Landlord Can Come In
Civ. Code 1954 — written notice, 24 hours presumed reasonable, and normal business hours
A California landlord may enter the dwelling only in an emergency; to make necessary or agreed repairs or improvements, supply agreed services, or show the unit to buyers, lenders, tenants, workers or contractors; to do the move-out inspection; when the tenant has abandoned or surrendered it; under a court order; or for the few other purposes the section names.
Written notice, 24 hours presumed. The landlord gives reasonable written notice with the date, approximate time and purpose. Twenty-four hours is presumed reasonable, and mailing at least six days ahead is presumed reasonable. Entry is during normal business hours unless the tenant consents at the time.
- No notice is needed to respond to an emergency, when the tenant is present and consents, or after the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the unit.
- To show the unit to a buyer, notice may be oral if the tenant was told in writing within 120 days that the property is for sale, and the landlord leaves written evidence of the entry inside.
- Tenant and landlord may agree orally on an entry for agreed repairs within one week.
The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant.
Sources for this section (1)
- Civ. Code 1954 — Landlord's entry into the dwelling unit
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.