My Landlord Keeps Entering Without Notice — What Are My Rights?

Finding out your landlord has been entering your home without warning — or dealing with it happening repeatedly — can feel unsettling and stressful. You have a right to privacy in your own home, even as a tenant, and the law in England and Wales backs you up on this. This guide explains what your rights are, what you can do about it, and when you might need professional legal help.

What does this actually mean?

Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the general principles of tenancy law, your landlord has a legal duty to give you at least 24 hours' written notice before entering your property — and even then, they can only visit at a reasonable time of day. This applies to most private residential tenancies in England and Wales.

Your tenancy agreement gives you something called "quiet enjoyment" — this is a legal term that simply means your right to live in your home without being disturbed or interfered with by your landlord. If your landlord keeps entering without notice, they may be breaching this right.

In serious cases, repeated unauthorised entry can amount to harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Harassment in this context means behaviour by a landlord intended to make you leave your home or give up your rights as a tenant. This is a criminal offence, not just a civil matter.

• 24 hours' written notice is the minimum required before a visit
• Visits must be at a reasonable time — generally understood as during normal daytime hours
• You can refuse entry if proper notice hasn't been given (except in genuine emergencies like a burst pipe or fire)
• Repeated unauthorised entry may be harassment or a criminal offence

Do you need to act immediately?

In most cases, this is not an emergency that requires same-day legal action — but you should start keeping records straight away. There are no strict deadlines for bringing a civil claim about quiet enjoyment, but if you're also concerned about an unlawful eviction or harassment, time matters more.

If your landlord's behaviour is making you feel unsafe or you believe they are trying to force you out of your home, you can contact your local council's housing department — most councils have a dedicated team that deals with private sector landlord harassment, and they can act quickly, sometimes within days.

If the situation escalates and you need a court order to stop your landlord entering — called an injunction — you would apply to the County Court. Courts can deal with urgent injunction applications within a matter of days if needed, though this step usually requires a solicitor.

Your next steps

1. Start a written record immediately. Note every unauthorised entry — date, time, what happened, and any witnesses. Keep this log somewhere safe. Evidence is everything if this goes further.
2. Write to your landlord in writing. Send an email or letter explaining that they are required to give 24 hours' written notice before entering, and that any further entry without notice may be unlawful. Keep a copy. This creates a paper trail and may be enough to stop the behaviour.
3. Check your tenancy agreement. Look for any clauses about landlord access — some agreements contain specific terms. Even if yours says the landlord can enter freely, they still cannot override your statutory rights under the law.
4. Contact your local council's housing team. If writing to the landlord doesn't work, your council can investigate and, in serious cases, take action against your landlord directly.
5. Consider a formal complaint to a redress scheme. If your landlord uses a letting agent, that agent must by law be a member of a redress scheme — either the Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme. You can complain to them for free.
6. Get legal advice if the problem continues or you feel at risk.

When should you speak to a solicitor?

You should speak to a solicitor if your landlord continues to enter after you've raised the issue in writing, if you feel unsafe or believe you're being pressured to leave, or if you want to pursue a compensation claim through the County Court. A solicitor can also apply for an injunction on your behalf quickly if the situation is serious. Many housing solicitors offer a free initial consultation, and you may qualify for legal aid — government-funded legal help — depending on your income and the nature of the case.

If you're not sure where to start or just want to understand your situation before speaking to anyone, CaseBridger is a free tool that gives you instant AI guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and can help you find a qualified solicitor near you.