Reasonable notice
Reasonable notice is the amount of time you must give an occupier before exercising a right that affects their use of the property, where the law or contract does not specify a fixed notice period. It crops up most often with live in landlords, resident landlords and lodgers, and for things like access for repairs and property viewings, rather than ending a full private tenancy.
For assured tenancies and other mainstream private tenancies in the Private Rented Sector (PRS), notice to end the tenancy is set by statute and the Renters’ Rights Act, using specific possession grounds and prescribed notice forms, so “reasonable notice” is less relevant there. By contrast, where someone is an excluded occupier under a licence to occupy, typically a lodger sharing with a live-in landlord, the law simply says they are entitled to reasonable notice, which is usually linked to their rental payment period, for example a week’s notice if they pay weekly, unless the agreement clearly says otherwise.
Reasonable notice also applies to non-emergency visits. Even where the tenancy agreement allows access, you are expected to give at least 24 hours’ notice, at a sensible time of day, and to consult the residential tenant or lodger in good faith.
In disputes, ombudsmen and courts will look at what is fair in context, the occupier’s vulnerability, urgency of the issue, local norms, rather than any rigid formula.
Also see our landlord blog articles, including:
