When you rent a property to another person, you retain some rights to it. However, you also lose certain rights in favor of the tenant having some.
One of those rights is the ability to enter the property any time you feel like it. The law says you have to follow certain protocols in order to enter the property. This allows your tenant to have the right to privacy while also allowing you to have the right to maintain your property.
Rules for entry
The law says that you must have the approval of the tenant or a court to enter a property. You cannot force your way into the abode. You also cannot go into the home when the tenant is not there unless you have permission to do so. You could face criminal charges for entering the unit if you do it illegally.
To do before entering
If you do not have a court order to enter the premises, you should give your tenant at least 24 hours’ notice of your intention to enter. You only have the right to enter in an emergency or if you will conduct an inspection. The law does not mandate the tenant must provide you access in other situations.
Exception to the rule
If there is an emergency, you can enter the unit without getting permission. However, you should make sure that you can prove there was an emergency or you could face legal trouble.
You can and should put terms in the lease that allow you to enter the property and conduct routine maintenance and other duties. This can help you to avoid issues with the tenant.