Newfoundland and Labrador landlord entry notice and privacy

When can a landlord enter?

Newfoundland and Labrador's Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 includes a statutory condition on entry in section 10(1). A landlord generally needs the tenant's consent or one of the legal exceptions below. The tenant's right to peaceful enjoyment and reasonable privacy remains relevant.

• Ordinary non-emergency entry: entry at a reasonable time after the landlord has given at least 24 hours' written notice stating the time of entry.
• Showing the unit after termination notice: once a notice of termination has been given, the landlord may enter at a reasonable time to show the premises to a prospective tenant or buyer, after a reasonable effort to give at least 4 hours' notice.
• Emergency: the usual consent and notice requirements do not apply to entry necessary for an emergency, such as an urgent situation threatening safety or serious property damage.
• Abandonment: section 31 permits taking possession of a genuinely abandoned unit only in the statutory circumstances and after the required posted notice.

These exceptions are specific. Being the property owner does not itself permit unannounced visits at any hour.

What a 24-hour written notice should contain

1. The rental-unit address and identity of the landlord or representative.
2. The intended date and a reasonable time of entry.
3. The reason for the visit, such as inspection, maintenance or repair access.
4. The date and method by which the notice was delivered, with evidence of service.

Use the government's Landlord's Notice to Enter Premises form. Giving only a 24-hour interval is insufficient if the written notice has not been validly served in time.

Delivery timing can change the entry date

Section 35 sets out ordinary notice-service methods. A notice sent by registered mail or express post is generally considered served on the fifth day after mailing; the 24-hour notice period must be considered after lawful service. Qualifying electronic service sent before 4 p.m. is generally treated as received on the sending day, while later messages are deemed served on the next non-Saturday/holiday day.

Electronic service requires a recipient-provided address for document delivery; a phone number or casually known email address does not necessarily meet the Act. Keep the original notice and service evidence, and see our NL notice service guide.

Showing the unit after a termination notice

The four-hour showing exception applies only after notice of termination has been given and only for showings to prospective tenants or purchasers at reasonable times. The landlord must make a reasonable effort to provide the advance notice. A written message and an agreed appointment help prevent disputes over what was communicated.

For example, if a landlord wants an ordinary repair inspection while the tenancy is continuing and no termination notice has been given, the general 24-hour written-notice route normally applies rather than the shorter four-hour showing rule.

If either party disputes entry

A tenant can keep a dated log of entry attempts, photographs or messages and ask the landlord to explain the statutory basis for entry. A landlord can retain copies of notices, service records and repair scheduling requests. Repeated unauthorized entry may raise peaceful-enjoyment and privacy issues under statutory condition 7.

For unresolved disputes, the director can determine rights and obligations under section 47 through a section 42 application. Do not change locks or cut off essential services as a self-help response; section 10 also restricts changes to entry locks and disconnection of heat, water and power.

Related resources