How much notice, and what it says
RTA s.27(1): to carry out a repair or replacement or do work in the unit, give the tenant written notice at least 24 hours before entry. s.27(3): the notice must state the reason for entry, the day, and a time of entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
When written notice is not needed
s.26(1): in an emergency, or if the tenant consents at the time of entry, you may enter at any time without written notice.
Does the tenant have to be home?
s.27 does not require the tenant to be home, and it does not set how narrow the time window must be. The more specific the time, the less back-and-forth. Agree in advance who opens the door, who will be present and who brings the key.
Contractors
- Say in the notice who is coming (for example, a plumber) and what they will do.
- If the time changes, send a new notice instead of relying on the old one.
- Record when they actually arrived and left, and whether the job is finished.
Record “inspected” and “fixed” separately
Coming to look, finding the cause, a temporary fix and the final repair are four different things. Date each one, let the tenant see the progress, and most arguments never start.
Sources: RTA s.26 and s.27 (e-Laws, current to 2026-10-01).