Use this letter when your landlord or their agents have entered your rental unit without providing the legally required advance notice and without a genuine emergency justification. This includes entries for maintenance, inspections, showing the unit, or any other non-emergency reason. A formal complaint creates a paper trail and puts the landlord on notice that continued violations will have legal consequences.
[YOUR_NAME] [YOUR_ADDRESS] [CITY_STATE_ZIP] [DATE] [LANDLORD_NAME] [LANDLORD_ADDRESS] [LANDLORD_CITY_STATE_ZIP] Re: Unauthorized Entry Into My Rental Unit Rental Property: [PROPERTY_ADDRESS] Dear [LANDLORD_NAME], I am writing to formally notify you that on [DATE_OF_ENTRY], my rental unit at [PROPERTY_ADDRESS] was entered without my consent and without the advance written notice required by [STATE] law. On [DATE_OF_ENTRY], at approximately [TIME_OF_ENTRY], I [discovered evidence that someone had entered my unit / returned home to find [DESCRIPTION] / was present when you entered without prior notice]. Specifically, [DESCRIBE_EVIDENCE — e.g., "items in my apartment had been moved, maintenance work was performed that I did not authorize, and my doorbell camera recorded entry at 2:15 PM"]. Under [STATE] law ([STATUTE_REFERENCE]), landlords are required to provide at least [NOTICE_HOURS — e.g., "24 hours'"] written notice before entering a tenant's rental unit, except in cases of genuine emergency. The entry on [DATE_OF_ENTRY] does not qualify as an emergency and no advance notice was provided. This is not the first occurrence. Previous unauthorized entries occurred on: - [PRIOR_DATE_1]: [BRIEF_DESCRIPTION] - [PRIOR_DATE_2]: [BRIEF_DESCRIPTION] I demand the following: 1. Immediate acknowledgment that unauthorized entry occurred and that it will not happen again. 2. Strict compliance with [STATE]'s notice-to-enter requirements for all future entries. 3. Written notice delivered at least [NOTICE_HOURS] hours in advance, specifying the date, approximate time, and purpose of entry. A tenant's right to privacy in their home is fundamental and protected by law. Continued unauthorized entry constitutes harassment and may entitle me to legal remedies including lease termination without penalty, monetary damages, and injunctive relief under [STATE] law. If unauthorized entries continue, I will file a complaint with [LOCAL_AUTHORITIES/TENANT_RIGHTS_ORGANIZATION] and pursue all available legal remedies. Please confirm receipt of this letter and your commitment to providing proper notice in writing. Sincerely, [YOUR_NAME]
Replace all [PLACEHOLDER] fields with your actual information before sending.
Document every unauthorized entry immediately — note the date, time, evidence of entry, and any witnesses.
If you have a doorbell camera or security camera, save the footage as evidence.
Look up your state's specific notice-to-enter statute and reference it in the letter (most states require 24–48 hours).
If the landlord claims the entry was for an emergency, ask for written documentation of what the emergency was.
Send via certified mail with return receipt and keep a copy for your records.
Consider installing a security camera (check your lease and state law for any restrictions) to document future entries.
If unauthorized entries continue after this letter, consult with a tenant rights attorney about your options.
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