Landlord notice of entry for an inspection

A landlord notice of entry is a written request to visit the property for an inspection, repair or safety check at a stated date and time. Your tenant has the right to quiet enjoyment of their home. So check your tenancy agreement for the notice period it sets, give reasonable written notice, and don't let yourself in if the tenant says no.

How much notice does a landlord need to give?

Start with your tenancy agreement. Look for the clause on access, inspections or repairs.

• If it sets a notice period, for example 24 hours, give at least that much, in writing.
• If it doesn't, give reasonable written notice and offer a choice of times.
• Either way, the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment applies. The property is their home. A notice of entry is a request to visit at an agreed time, not a right to walk in.

You'll often see "24 hour notice landlord inspection" quoted online as a rule. We don't state it as a legal minimum, because the rules we check against don't set a single period for routine visits. Your agreement's clause and reasonableness are what count.

This template is for planned, non-urgent visits in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own law.

Landlord notice of entry template

[Your full name]
[Your address in England or Wales for serving notices]
[Your phone number] | [Your email]

[Date]

To: [Full name of every tenant named on the tenancy agreement]
[Property address]

Dear [Tenant names],

Request for access to [property address]

I would like to visit the property for [purpose, for example a routine
inspection / the annual gas safety check / an electrical inspection /
to look at the repair you reported on [date]].

Proposed date: [day and date]
Proposed time: between [time] and [time]
Who will attend: [your name / name of engineer or contractor and
company]
Expected length of visit: [about 30 minutes]

[Your tenancy agreement asks for [notice period] notice of visits. This
letter gives you [notice given].]

If this time doesn't suit you, please let me know by [date] and suggest
another time. I'm happy to fit around your work or other commitments.

I will only enter the property at the agreed time. [If you would like
me or the contractor to let ourselves in while you are out, please
confirm that in writing; otherwise I will only come in if you or
someone you nominate is there.]

[For safety checks: This check is a legal requirement for your safety.
I will give you a copy of the [gas safety record / electrical report]
afterwards.]

Thank you for your help.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]

How to use the template

1. Be specific. One purpose, one date, a time window and the names of anyone attending.
2. Give the notice your agreement requires, and more if you can. Count from when the tenant will receive the letter.
3. Offer an alternative. Ask the tenant to suggest another time if yours doesn't work.
4. Send it to every tenant on a joint tenancy, by the method you normally use, and keep a copy.
5. Only enter with agreement. If the tenant asks you not to come, don't. Rearrange.
6. Record the visit. Note the date, who attended and what was done.

Safety checks and access

Some visits are for checks you're legally required to carry out:

Check	How often	Copy to the tenant
Gas safety check (Gas Safe registered engineer)	At intervals of not more than 12 months	Within 28 days of the check
Electrical installation inspection and testing (EICR)	At intervals of no more than 5 years, or sooner if the report says so	Within 28 days of the inspection

If the tenant refuses access for an electrical inspection, the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020 give a "reasonable steps" defence: a landlord whose tenant refuses access isn't in breach merely because they didn't go to court to get entry. Keep a record of every request and every date offered.

For more on these duties, see our guides to the gas safety certificate and the EICR, and the landlord compliance hub.

What not to do

• Don't turn up unannounced or let yourself in without the tenant's agreement.
• Don't use visits to pressure the tenant, for example repeated inspections after a dispute about rent or repairs.
• Don't change the locks or try to stop the tenant using their home. That is illegal eviction.

Unlawful eviction and harassment are criminal offences. Since 1 May 2026, councils can instead impose a civil penalty of up to £40,000. Read our guide to illegal eviction.

What to do next

• Keep your gas, electrical and other safety dates in one place with free compliance reminders, so you can send this notice in good time.
• Browse the other landlord letter templates.