What the law says about showings while you still live there

Your landlord can show your apartment to prospective tenants before you move out, but only if they give you proper notice — usually 24 to 48 hours — and only at reasonable times of day. The exact rules depend on your state and local laws. Some states require written notice; others allow phone or email. Some states say "reasonable notice" without specifying hours; others define it as business hours only, or exclude weekends and holidays.

The key principle is that you still have the right to quiet enjoyment of your rental during your lease term. This means your landlord cannot show the apartment constantly, at odd hours, or without warning. If showings become excessive or disruptive, you may have grounds to push back or, in some cases, break the lease without penalty.

Your lease itself may spell out the notice period and times allowed. If it does, those terms usually control — but only if they are more restrictive than state law. If your lease says 24 hours' notice and your state requires 48, the state rule wins.

Key Takeaways

  • Your landlord must give you notice before showing your apartment, typically 24 to 48 hours, though the exact requirement varies by state and local law.
  • Showings must happen at reasonable times — usually business hours on weekdays, though some states allow weekend showings with proper notice.
  • You can refuse entry if the notice period was not met, and in most places you can document repeated violations to support a complaint or lease break.
  • Your lease may set stricter rules than state law allows, and those stricter rules are what you can enforce.
  • If showings become excessive or harassing, contact your local housing authority or tenant rights organization to learn what remedies are available in your area.

How much notice your landlord must give

Most states require 24 to 48 hours' written notice before a showing. California, for example, requires 24 hours' notice in writing. New York requires 24 hours' notice, which can be written or verbal. Texas does not set a specific notice period in state law, so the lease controls — and if the lease is silent, "reasonable notice" is the standard.

Notice must be delivered to you directly, not left on the door or sent to an old address. Email or text counts if your lease or landlord-tenant law allows it. If your landlord shows up without the required notice and you refuse entry, you are within your rights. Repeated violations can be documented and reported to your local housing authority.

Some states allow shorter notice — or no notice at all — in emergencies (fire, gas leak, burst pipe). But routine showings to new tenants do not count as emergencies.

What times of day are considered reasonable

Reasonable times usually mean business hours on weekdays: roughly 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some states and localities allow weekend showings, but usually only during daylight hours and with the same notice requirement as weekday showings.

Your landlord cannot show your apartment at 6 a.m., 10 p.m., or on a holiday without your consent — even with proper notice. If your lease sets stricter limits (for example, "showings only between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays"), those limits are what you can enforce.

If your landlord repeatedly shows the apartment outside reasonable hours, document the dates and times. This record can support a complaint to your local housing authority or help you negotiate a lease break if the disruption is severe.

Your right to refuse entry and set limits

You can refuse entry if your landlord did not give the required notice. You can also refuse entry if the showing is at an unreasonable time. straightforward do not open the door. Your landlord cannot force entry or use a key to let themselves in during a showing — that would be illegal entry, even if they own the building.

You can also set reasonable limits on showings. For example, you can ask that showings not happen before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., or that no more than two showings happen per week. If your landlord agrees, get the agreement in writing (email counts). If they refuse and the showings become excessive, you have grounds to file a complaint.

Some states allow tenants to break a lease without penalty if a landlord violates the right to quiet enjoyment through excessive or harassing showings. This is rare, but it is worth checking your state's tenant laws or calling a local tenant rights organization to see if it applies to you.

What counts as excessive or harassing showings

There is no fixed number of showings that automatically becomes excessive — it depends on how close you are to move-out, how much notice you get, and whether the showings disrupt your daily life. A showing every other day with proper notice during your last two weeks is probably reasonable. A showing every day, or multiple showings on the same day, or showings with no notice, is probably not.

Harassment can also include showings that happen when you are clearly home and trying to sleep, work, or care for children. If your landlord ignores your requests to limit showings or keeps showing the apartment after you have given notice that you are breaking the lease, that strengthens your case.

Document every showing: the date, time, how much notice you received, and how it affected you. Keep copies of any written notice (texts, emails, notes left at the door). This record is what you will need if you file a complaint or want to negotiate a lease break.

How to handle disputes over showings

Start by talking to your landlord. Explain that the showings are disruptive and ask them to limit frequency or stick to specific times. If they agree, confirm it in writing. If they refuse or ignore your request, send a written message (email or certified letter) documenting the problem and asking them to stop or reduce showings.

If the problem continues, contact your local housing authority, tenant rights organization, or legal aid office. Many areas have free or low-cost tenant hotlines that can tell you whether your landlord is breaking the law and what steps you can take. Some jurisdictions allow you to withhold rent or break the lease if a landlord violates quiet enjoyment; others require you to file a formal complaint first.

Do not stop paying rent as a way to force your landlord to stop showings — that can give them grounds to evict you. Instead, follow the legal process in your area: document the problem, send written notice, and file a complaint if necessary.

What your lease might say about showings

Your lease may include a clause about showings. It might say "Landlord may show the apartment with 48 hours' notice during business hours" or "No more than two showings per week." If your lease sets rules that are stricter than state law, those rules are what you can enforce. If your lease is silent, state and local law control.

If your lease says your landlord can show the apartment "at any time" or "without notice," that clause is likely unenforceable in most states — it violates the legal right to quiet enjoyment. You can still refuse entry if the notice period is too short or the time is unreasonable.

Before you sign a lease, read the showing clause carefully. If it seems too loose, ask your landlord to add a notice period and time limits. If you are already in a lease with a vague clause, you are still protected by state law, even if the lease does not spell it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my landlord show my apartment if I have not given notice that I am moving?

No. Your landlord can only show the apartment if you have told them you are leaving or if your lease is ending. If you are in the middle of your lease term and have not given notice, your landlord has no right to show the apartment to new tenants. If they try, you can refuse entry.

What if my landlord uses a key to let themselves in without my permission?

That is illegal entry. Do not let it happen. If your landlord enters without notice or permission, change the locks (if your lease allows it) or call the police to report trespassing. Document the incident and contact your local housing authority or tenant rights organization. This is a serious violation of your right to quiet enjoyment.

Can I refuse all showings, even with proper notice?

In most states, no — your landlord has the right to show the apartment if you have given notice that you are leaving. But you can set reasonable limits on frequency and timing. If your landlord refuses to respect those limits and the showings become excessive, you may have grounds to file a complaint or break the lease.

Do I have to let my landlord show the apartment on weekends?

It depends on your state and local law. Some states allow weekend showings with proper notice; others do not. Check your state's tenant laws or ask your local housing authority. Your lease may also set stricter limits than state law allows.

What should I do if my landlord is showing the apartment too much?

Document each showing with the date, time, and notice given. Ask your landlord in writing to limit showings to a specific number per week or to specific hours. If they refuse, file a complaint with your local housing authority or contact a tenant rights organization. Keep all documentation in case you need to support a claim that your landlord violated your right to quiet enjoyment.