The resident has the right to enjoy the privacy of their room but there are certain times when the provider may need to enter.

The entry rules are different for general tenancies and moveable dwellings.

• A provider/provider's agent must give 24 hours' notice to clean a room, and 48 hours' notice for any other entry reason.
• The rooming accommodation provider can enter at any time if the resident agrees.
• The resident may agree verbally or it may be specified in the rooming accommodation agreement (e.g.: for cleaning). This should be set out in Item 9 of the agreement.
• At all other times, the provider must give the resident written notice on an Entry Notice (Form R9) or they may put an entry notice up in the common area if they are entering more than one room on the same day.
• The resident cannot refuse access if the correct notice and time period has been given.
• The only time the provider can enter the resident's room without an Entry notice or without the resident's agreement is:
  • in an emergency
  • if they believe the resident has abandoned (left permanently) their room
  • if they need to do urgent repairs to the property or a facility in the property.
• If a provider/provider’s agent serves a Notice to leave (Form R12), or if a resident issues a Notice of intention to leave (Form R13), a provider/provider’s agent cannot enter the room more than 2 times within a 7-day period. 
• The 7-day period entry limit does not apply for entry for the following reasons:
  • mutual agreement with a resident
  • in case of an emergency  
  • if the provider/providers agent reasonably believes the room has been abandoned
  • to carry out urgent repairs to the rental premises or its facilities, such as:
    • repairing facilities that provide gas, electricity, or water
    • making repairs to prevent imminent flooding or water damage
    • emergency repairs to the roof of the premises
    • repairing faults or damage that makes the premises unsafe, insecure, or unreasonably disrupts the residents use of the premises.  
• Selling agents must provide written notice to the provider/provider’s agent who the resident normally pays rent to.

Disputes about entry

It is important that tenants, property owners and managers work together so we can make renting work for everyone, and it’s important all parties:

• communicate openly
• understand each other’s circumstances
• develop an acceptable solution
• document any decisions made.

Residents and property managers/owners should speak to one another and attempt to resolve the issue in the first instance. If an agreement can't be reached, the RTA's free, impartial dispute resolution service may be able to help.

Entry notice periods are shown in the table below