Tenant Privacy

Tenants have a basic right to privacy in their rental homes, and most states limit a landlord’s right of entry  to specific circumstances, such as the need to make repairs or to inspect for necessary maintenance; in these cases, the landlord must typically provide a certain amount of notice (usually 24 to 48 hours, except in cases of emergency).  Depending on the circumstances, a tenant may sue a landlord for money damages for violating tenant privacy rights, or break the lease and move out without additional liability for rent. Tenant privacy does not apply to criminal activity in the rental unit, and a landlord may legally evict a tenant for engaging in illegal acts, such as drug dealing, on rental property.