You can refuse some showings, but the rules depend on your state and lease
Whether you can refuse to let your landlord show your apartment depends on where you live and what your lease says. In most states, landlords have a legal right to show rental units to prospective tenants, but that right is not unlimited. You can refuse entry for showings that happen at unreasonable times, without proper notice, or in violation of your state's tenant laws. Some states give tenants broad rights to refuse showings; others give landlords more power. Your lease may also set rules about showings that override what state law allows.
The key is knowing what "reasonable" means in your state and what happens if you refuse. A landlord cannot force entry, but they can pursue legal action or use a refusal as grounds for eviction in some cases. Understanding your specific state's rules before you refuse a showing protects you from unexpected consequences.
Key Takeaways
- Most states require landlords to give you 24 to 48 hours' notice before showing your apartment, and showings must happen at reasonable times of day.
- You can refuse entry if the notice period is too short, the time is unreasonable (like 6 a.m. or 10 p.m.), or the landlord did not follow your state's rules.
- Some states allow you to refuse showings entirely during the last month of your lease if you are not renewing, while others do not.
- A landlord cannot legally force entry or change the locks if you refuse a showing, but they may pursue eviction in states where refusing is grounds for lease violation.
- Your lease may have specific showing rules that are stricter than state law, so check your lease before you refuse.
Notice requirements that give you grounds to refuse
Most states require landlords to give you written notice before entering your apartment to show it to prospective tenants. The standard notice period is 24 to 48 hours, though some states allow as little as 12 hours or as much as 7 days. If your landlord shows up without this notice, or with notice that is shorter than your state requires, you can refuse entry.
The notice must usually be in writing—a text message, email, or posted notice counts in most states, but a verbal warning does not. Check your state's tenant laws or your lease to see what counts as valid notice where you live. If the notice does not meet the legal standard, you have the right to refuse, and the landlord cannot force their way in.
Unreasonable times of day and frequency
Landlords must show apartments during reasonable hours. Most states define reasonable as between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, with some flexibility on weekends. A showing at 7 a.m., 10 p.m., or on a holiday may be unreasonable depending on your state. If your landlord schedules a showing outside these hours without your consent, you can refuse.
Some states also limit how often a landlord can show your apartment. If your landlord is scheduling multiple showings per day or every day for weeks, that may cross into harassment in your state. Check your state's tenant laws—some specifically protect you from excessive showings. If the frequency seems unreasonable, document the dates and times and refuse entry if it continues.
Refusing showings in your final month
A few states give tenants the right to refuse showings during the last month of their lease if they are not renewing. California, for example, limits showings to no more than twice a week during the final 30 days if you are moving out. Other states have no such protection and allow landlords to show freely right up until you leave.
If you are in a state that protects you during your final month, you can refuse showings that exceed the legal limit. If your state does not have this protection, your landlord can show the apartment as often as they want, and refusing may be treated as a lease violation. Check your state's tenant laws or contact a local tenant rights organization to learn what applies to you.
What happens if you refuse a showing
If you refuse a showing that was properly noticed and scheduled at a reasonable time, the consequences depend on your state and lease. In some states, refusing a lawful showing is grounds for eviction. The landlord would have to file for eviction in court, give you notice, and prove that you violated the lease. This process takes weeks or months, not days.
In other states, a single refused showing is not enough to evict you—the landlord would have to show a pattern of refusals or that you are deliberately obstructing their right to show the unit. Some states treat refusals more leniently and may only allow eviction if you refuse repeatedly. Your lease may also specify what happens if you refuse. Before you refuse a showing, understand whether it puts you at legal risk in your state.
How to refuse safely and document your reason
If you decide to refuse a showing, do it in writing. Send an email or text to your landlord stating that you are refusing the showing and why—for example, "I am refusing the showing scheduled for Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. because it does not meet the 24-hour notice requirement under [your state] law" or "I am refusing because the time is outside reasonable business hours." This creates a record that you refused for a legal reason, not arbitrarily.
Keep copies of all notices your landlord sends you and all your refusals. If your landlord later tries to evict you for refusing showings, you will have evidence that the showings did not comply with state law. If you are unsure whether a showing meets your state's requirements, contact a local tenant rights organization or legal aid office before you refuse—they can tell you whether you have legal grounds to say no.
When a landlord cannot force entry
A landlord cannot legally force their way into your apartment, change the locks, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities because you refused a showing. These actions are called "self-help eviction" and are illegal in all states. If your landlord tries any of these, document it with photos, videos, and written records, and contact your local police and tenant rights organization when ready.
The only legal way a landlord can remove you is through eviction court. Even if refusing a showing is grounds for eviction in your state, the landlord must file a case, serve you with papers, and get a judge's order. You will have a chance to explain why you refused. If you refused because the showing did not meet legal requirements, the judge may rule in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord show my apartment while I am still living there?
Yes, in most states landlords have the right to show occupied apartments to prospective tenants. However, they must follow your state's notice and timing rules. They cannot enter without notice, at unreasonable hours, or without a legitimate reason like showing the unit to a new tenant or making repairs.
What if my landlord keeps scheduling showings with less than 24 hours' notice?
You can refuse those showings because they do not meet the legal notice requirement in most states. Document each instance with the date, time, and notice you received. If it continues, send your landlord a written message stating that you will refuse all showings with less than the required notice period. Keep a copy for your records.
Can I refuse showings if I am on a month-to-month lease?
Your rights are the same on a month-to-month lease as on a fixed-term lease. You can refuse showings that do not meet your state's notice and timing requirements. However, your landlord can end a month-to-month lease with proper notice (usually 30 to 60 days depending on your state), so refusing showings may prompt them to do so.
What should I do if my landlord enters without permission to show the apartment?
This is illegal entry. Document the date, time, and what happened. Take photos or video if possible. Send your landlord a written message stating that unauthorized entry is not permitted and that future entries must follow your state's notice requirements. If it happens again, contact your local police and a tenant rights organization.
Can my lease override my state's showing rules?
Your lease can set rules that are stricter than state law—for example, requiring 48 hours' notice instead of 24. However, a lease cannot take away rights your state gives you. If your lease says you must allow showings at any time with no notice, that clause is likely unenforceable because it violates state law.