The written heads-up a landlord gives before entering a rented home. See the earliest legal entry time and whether your reason counts.
A rented home is the tenant’s home, even though the owner holds the title. It’s like lending your bike to a friend: you can’t just take it for a ride whenever you feel like it. You ask first. The NOE is that “asking first,” in writing. It tells the tenant the date, the rough time and the reason the owner is coming in. Hand it over (or leave it at the door) at least 24 hours ahead, or mail it at least 6 days ahead. Then come during normal business hours.
Tap a part to open it. These are our words, not the form’s.
Tenant names plus “any other occupants,” the full address and unit number. There’s a line for a different notice address if the lease lists one.
1A says the entry follows Civil Code §1954: at least 24 hours after personal delivery, or at least 6 days after mailing, and during normal business hours. 1B has room for two date-and-time choices — handy if the first slot doesn’t work for the tenant. Write a time window like 10 AM–12 PM, not “sometime this week.”
Check the real reason. A: necessary or agreed repairs (say what). B: necessary or agreed services. C: showing the home to buyers, lenders, new tenants, workers or contractors. D: smoke detectors, water-heater bracing, or carbon monoxide devices — each backed by its own Health & Safety Code section. E: another lawful reason you write in. “Just checking on things” is not on this list.
The owner or agent signs and dates. There are two lines in case there are two owners.
Who delivered it and when. A, personal delivery: (1) handed to the tenant; (2) left with a responsible adult at the unit; or (3) left on, near or under the usual entry door where a reasonable person would find it. B, mail: then the entry date must be at least 6 days after mailing. The person who served it signs and prints a name. Keep a copy.
A sample, not a copy of the form. Names and address are made up.
“24 hours passed, so I can walk in anytime.” No. 24 hours is the floor, not a key. You still need a date, a time window, a real reason, and business hours. I’ve watched owners lose good tenants over a 7 PM “quick look.”
“I texted them. That’s notice.” A text with no date or time isn’t an NOE. Email or text only counts if the lease allows electronic notice — and even then, keep the paper version handy.
“It’s my house.” It’s their home while the lease runs. Entering again and again to pressure a tenant is harassment under §1954(c). Courts don’t care who owns the deed.
Vertical video, 45 seconds.
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408-666-2825