The right to quiet enjoyment
Every tenant in England has a common law right to quiet enjoyment of their home. This means your landlord cannot interfere with your peaceful occupation of the property. It does not mean silence — it means your right to use and enjoy the property without unreasonable disturbance from the landlord.
The 24-hour rule
Your landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice before entering the property, and you must consent to the visit. The visit must be at a reasonable time of day (not at 6am or 11pm). The only exception is a genuine emergency — such as a gas leak, flood, or fire — where immediate access is needed to prevent danger to life or serious property damage.
"I want to check on the property" or "I'm showing it to prospective tenants" are not emergencies. These require 24 hours' notice and your agreement.
What your agreement might say
Some tenancy agreements include clauses like "the landlord may enter the property at any reasonable time." This is vague and potentially unfair. A properly drafted clause should specify: at least 24 hours' notice, the tenant's consent is required, visits must be at a reasonable time, and access is limited to specific purposes (inspections, repairs, viewings near end of tenancy).
If your agreement does not require 24 hours' notice, you still have the legal right to it. The common law right to quiet enjoyment exists regardless of what the agreement says.
What to do if your landlord enters without permission
1. Write to your landlord formally — remind them of your right to quiet enjoyment and the 24-hour notice requirement. Keep a copy.
2. Keep a record of every unauthorised entry — date, time, what happened, who was there.
3. If it continues, this may constitute harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, which is a criminal offence. Report persistent harassment to your local council or contact Shelter's helpline (0808 800 4444).
4. Change the locks? Legally, you may be able to change the locks without the landlord's permission if your agreement does not prohibit it. However, most agreements do require the landlord to have a key. If you feel unsafe, seek advice from Shelter before changing locks.
Serious concern? If your landlord is entering regularly without notice, intimidating you, or threatening you for raising the issue, this is harassment and potentially illegal eviction. Contact Shelter immediately on 0808 800 4444 or your local council's housing team.