# How much notice does a landlord need to enter a rental unit for repairs in Ontario?

Updated 2026-09-26.

24 hours written notice. Under section 27 of the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord may enter a rental unit to carry out a repair or do work after giving the tenant written notice at least 24 hours before the time of entry, and the entry must fall between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The exception is an emergency, where section 26 allows entry without written notice.

## What the notice has to say

The written notice states three things: the reason for entry, the day of entry, and a time of entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The same 24 hour written notice covers the other reasons section 27 lists, such as letting a potential mortgagee or insurer view the unit, or an inspection to check the unit meets health, safety, housing and maintenance standards where it is reasonable to carry one out.

## When no notice is needed

Section 26 allows entry without written notice in an emergency, or when the tenant consents at the time of entry. Whether it is an emergency depends on what is happening in the unit, not on how urgent the job feels to anyone.

## How Roundhouse handles the notice

For planned repairs, we coordinate the notice and authorized access arrangements with your firm. The notice and access record stay with the job. See [rental repairs in Toronto](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/repairs/), [how a job runs](https://roundhousegroup.ca/how-it-works/), or [request work](https://roundhousegroup.ca/request-work/).

## Related pages

- [What counts as a maintenance emergency in an Ontario rental?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/what-counts-as-a-maintenance-emergency-ontario/)
- [Can a landlord charge a tenant for damage to a rental unit in Ontario?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/landlord-charge-tenant-for-damage-ontario/)
- [What is a WSIB clearance certificate, and why does a property manager need one?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/wsib-clearance-certificate-property-manager/)

## Questions

### Can a landlord enter without notice in an emergency?

Yes. Section 26 of the Residential Tenancies Act lets a landlord enter a rental unit without written notice in an emergency, at any time of day.

### What hours can a landlord enter with notice?

Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Section 27 requires the written notice to state the reason for entry, the day of entry and a time of entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

### Can a landlord enter without notice if the tenant agrees?

Yes. Section 26 allows entry without written notice when the tenant consents to the entry at the time of entry.

## Sources

- [LTB Interpretation Guideline 19, right of entry](https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/ltb/Interpretation%20Guidelines/19%20-%20The%20Landlords%20Right%20of%20Entry%20into%20a%20Rental%20Unit.html)
- [Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 17, sections 26 and 27](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17)

We only use ECRA/ESA-Licensed Electrical Contractors.