Cal. Civ. Code § 66-28-403
Access by landlord.
Operative Text
(a) The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter onto the premises, including entering into the dwelling unit, in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the premises to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, workers or contractors. (b) The landlord may enter the premises without consent of the tenant in case of emergency. “Emergency” means a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action. (c) Where no known emergency exists, if any utilities have been turned off due to no fault of the landlord, the landlord shall be permitted to enter the premises. The landlord may inspect the premises to ascertain any damages to the premises and make necessary repairs of damages resulting from the lack of utilities. (d) The landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. (e) The landlord has no right of access to the premises except: (1) By court order; (2) As permitted by this section, §§ 66-28-506 and 66-28-507(b); (3) If the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises; (4) If the tenant is deceased, incapacitated or incarcerated; or (5) Within the final thirty (30) days of the termination of the rental agreement for the purpose of showing the premises to prospective tenants; provided, that such right of access is set forth in the rental agreement and notice is given to the tenant at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to entry.
Tennessee Code Ann. § 66-28-403 governs when and how a landlord may enter a rental property. In general, tenants are expected not to unreasonably refuse entry for legitimate purposes such as inspections, repairs, or showings, while landlords are prohibited from abusing access rights or using them to harass. Emergency entry is permitted without consent, and outside of emergencies, landlord access is limited to specific circumstances defined by the statute, including court order, tenant abandonment, or the final 30 days of a tenancy for showing the unit to prospective tenants (with proper notice and a rental-agreement provision allowing it).
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403, compliant property operators generally provide at least 24 hours' notice before entering for non-emergency purposes such as inspections, repairs, or showings. Landlords who wish to show a unit to prospective tenants during the final 30 days of a tenancy should ensure that right is expressly written into the rental agreement and that proper advance notice is given. Operators are also mindful that the statute explicitly prohibits using access rights to harass tenants or entering outside the circumstances enumerated in § 66-28-403.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403 establishes that a landlord's right of entry is not unlimited — outside of emergencies or other specific statutory exceptions, landlords generally must have a legitimate purpose and, in certain situations, provide at least 24 hours' notice before entering. If a tenant believes a landlord is entering without a valid basis or using access to harass, that conduct may constitute a violation of this provision, which could be raised as a defense in a legal proceeding or addressed through a complaint to a local housing authority. Tenants who have concerns about unauthorized or harassing entry may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Tennessee law for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 29, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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