In Ontario, you generally cannot flat-out refuse a landlord’s legal 24-hour notice of entry, even if you have a sick newborn at home. However, adjudicators expect landlords to exercise common sense and flexibility. You should immediately ask the landlord in writing to reschedule, and if they refuse to negotiate reasonably, you may have grounds to file a T2 complaint for harassment.
Welcoming a newborn into your family is an exhausting and deeply emotional time. If that infant becomes sick, your stress levels skyrocket. In the middle of nursing, doctor visits, and sleepless nights, the last thing you want is a knock at the door from your landlord wanting to inspect the smoke detectors or show the unit to a prospective buyer. For tenants living in Ontario cities like Hamilton, Kitchener, or Vaughan, balancing tenant privacy with landlord rights is a very delicate issue.
Under Section 27 of the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), a landlord has the absolute right to enter a rental unit as long as they provide a valid 24-hour written notice specifying the reason, date, and a timeframe between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. The law does not have a specific “sick baby exemption.” However, Ontario law also guarantees tenants the right to “reasonable enjoyment” of their home. When these two rights clash, communication is key. If your landlord is being completely unreasonable, reaching out to an experienced paralegal or a local law firm from our directory can help you navigate this conflict. 💬
Step-by-Step Process for Handling Landlord Entry with a Sick Infant
You cannot simply tape a note to your door saying “Do Not Enter.” If you illegally deny entry, the landlord could serve you with an N5 eviction notice for interfering with their lawful rights. Here is the proper way to handle this delicate situation.
Step 1: Verify the Notice of Entry is Valid
Before you panic, check if the landlord actually followed the law. Did they give you a full 24 hours’ written notice? Does the notice clearly state the reason for entry (e.g., annual inspection, plumbing repair)? Is the time window between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM? If the notice was just a casual text message saying “I’ll be there in an hour,” the notice is legally void, and you can safely refuse entry.
Step 2: Communicate the Medical Situation Immediately
If the notice is legally valid, you must act fast. Send an email or text to your landlord immediately. Explain clearly that you have a sick newborn at home, that the baby is currently resting, and that a stranger entering the unit would be highly disruptive to the infant’s health and your reasonable enjoyment of the property.
Step 3: Propose a Specific Alternative Time
Do not just say “no.” The Landlord and Tenant Board looks favourably on tenants who offer solutions. Suggest two or three alternative times that work better for you. For example, write: “Could we please reschedule this routine inspection to Thursday afternoon when my partner is home to take the baby for a walk?” Most reasonable landlords will happily agree to delay a non-emergency entry by a few days.
Step 4: Prepare the Unit if Entry is Unavoidable
If the entry is for something critical, like a leaking pipe that is damaging the unit below, the landlord cannot wait. If they insist on coming, prepare the safest environment possible. Close the door to the nursery, ask the landlord to wear a mask to protect the newborn from germs, and ask them to complete their work as swiftly and quietly as possible.
Step 5: File a T2 Application if the Landlord is Harassing
If the entry was completely non-urgent (like measuring a window for future blinds) and the landlord rudely barged in despite your pleas to reschedule, this behaviour may cross the line into harassment. You can file a T2 Application with the LTB for interference with your reasonable enjoyment, asking the adjudicator to reprimand the landlord and award you a rent abatement. ⚔️
How Much Does it Cost in Ontario?
Negotiating an entry time is free, but if the situation escalates to the Landlord and Tenant Board, there are minor costs involved. Estimated values in Canadian dollars (CAD) as of May 2026 are:
| Service / Action | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| LTB T2 Application Fee | $48 | Government filing fee when submitted online via the portal. |
| Tenant Duty Counsel (TDC) | Free | Provincial legal aid available on the day of your LTB hearing. |
| Licensed Paralegal Retainer | $500 – $1,500+ | For private representation to argue that the entry was unreasonable. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline for a notice of entry is extremely fast-the landlord only needs to provide 24 hours of warning. However, if the dispute turns into a formal LTB case, you will be waiting a long time. Due to extensive provincial backlogs, it takes approximately 8 to 12 months for a tenant’s T2 application to be scheduled for a virtual hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I install a chain lock to keep the landlord out?
No. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, it is completely illegal for a tenant to alter the locks or install secondary deadbolts or chains without the landlord’s express permission. Doing so can lead to your eviction.
Can the landlord enter without notice if it’s an emergency?
Yes. If there is a genuine emergency, such as a fire, a burst pipe, or a smell of gas, the landlord has the legal right to enter the unit immediately without providing any 24-hour notice, regardless of who is inside.
What if they are showing the unit to potential buyers?
If the landlord is selling the property, they still generally need to provide 24 hours’ written notice before bringing buyers through. The only exception is if you have already given your notice to move out, in which case they can show the unit between 8 AM and 8 PM without 24 hours’ notice, provided they make a reasonable effort to inform you first.
Can I call the police if the landlord enters anyway?
If a landlord enters with a valid 24-hour notice, they are not trespassing. If you call the police, the responding officers will almost certainly tell you that it is a civil matter for the Landlord and Tenant Board, unless the landlord is acting violently or making physical threats.
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