Landlord keeps entering my apartment without 24-hour notice - what can I do?

My landlord has entered my apartment at least 4 times in the past 2 months without any notice. The first time I came home and found him in my living room "checking the smoke detectors." The second time my neighbor told me she saw him go in while I was at work.

Yesterday I was in the shower and heard someone in the apartment - it was him and a contractor looking at my bathroom pipes. No text, no email, no written notice, nothing.

I feel completely violated. I have 8 months left on my lease. Is this illegal? Can I break the lease over this? What are my options?

This is absolutely illegal in virtually every state. Most states require at least 24 hours written notice for non-emergency entry.

What state are you in? The specific remedies depend on your location.

Also, start documenting everything immediately - dates, times, what happened, any witnesses. This documentation will be crucial if you need to take action.

Landlord-tenant attorney here. Your landlord is violating your right to "quiet enjoyment" of the premises - a fundamental tenant right in every state.

In California, under Civil Code Section 1954, landlords must provide reasonable notice (presumed to be 24 hours) in writing for non-emergency entries. They can only enter for specific reasons:

• Necessary or agreed-upon repairs
• Showing the unit to prospective tenants/buyers
• Under court order
• Emergency situations
• Tenant has abandoned the unit

None of what you describe qualifies as emergency entry. "Checking smoke detectors" requires notice. Pipe inspections require notice.

I'm in Los Angeles. My lease doesn't say anything about entry notice requirements - does that matter?

The lease doesn't need to mention it - Civil Code 1954 applies regardless of what your lease says. A landlord cannot contract around these statutory protections. Even if your lease said "landlord may enter at any time without notice" that provision would be void and unenforceable.

Los Angeles also has additional tenant protections under the LA Municipal Code. You should contact LA's Housing Department or a local tenant rights organization.

I dealt with this last year. Same thing - landlord would just walk in whenever he felt like it. Here's what worked for me:

1. Changed my locks (legal in CA if you provide landlord a key within 24 hours of request - see Civil Code 1941.3)
2. Sent a certified letter citing Civil Code 1954 and documenting each unauthorized entry
3. Stated that further violations would be reported to the Housing Department and I would pursue all legal remedies

Never had another unauthorized entry after that. These landlords need to be put on notice that you know your rights.

Just want to add - if you're worried about retaliation (like landlord trying to evict you or not renewing your lease), California has strong anti-retaliation laws. Under Civil Code 1942.5, a landlord cannot retaliate against you for exercising your legal rights.

If they try to evict you within 180 days of you complaining about this, it's presumed to be retaliation and the burden is on them to prove otherwise.

Can I break my lease over this? I really don't feel comfortable staying here anymore. The shower incident especially - I can't shake the feeling he could just walk in anytime.

Potentially, yes. Repeated violations of your right to quiet enjoyment can constitute a "constructive eviction" - meaning the landlord's conduct has made the unit uninhabitable from a privacy standpoint.

However, before breaking the lease I'd recommend:

1. Send a formal written notice demanding compliance with Civil Code 1954
2. Document the demand was received (certified mail)
3. If violations continue, you have stronger grounds to terminate

You don't want to just walk out and have the landlord claim you broke the lease without cause. Create a clear paper trail showing you gave them opportunity to correct the behavior.

Property manager here (don't hate me). This landlord is way out of line and making all of us look bad. I would NEVER enter without notice except for a true emergency like a burst pipe or fire.

Just wanted to add - consider getting a doorbell camera or interior camera (pointed at the door, not throughout your apartment). It creates indisputable evidence of entries and timestamps. Many tenants I work with have Ring or similar devices.

UPDATE: I sent a certified letter to my landlord citing Civil Code 1954 and documenting all four unauthorized entries. I also installed a Ring camera at my front door.

Got a call from him two days later. He was apologetic (surprising) and said he "didn't realize it was such a big deal." He agreed to always provide 24-hour written notice going forward. I'm documenting this conversation in an email follow-up to him.

We'll see if he actually complies. If not, I'm ready to escalate.

Good outcome so far! The "didn't realize it was a big deal" excuse is classic. He knew, he just didn't think you'd push back.

Smart move following up in writing. Keep copies of everything. If he violates again after this acknowledgment, you'll have an even stronger case.

One month update: He's been fully compliant since my letter. Got proper 24-hour written notice for a plumber visit last week. I think the combination of knowing the law and having the camera made him realize I'm serious.

Thanks to everyone who helped. For anyone else dealing with this - know your rights and put everything in writing. Most landlords will back down when they realize you're not going to be a pushover.