Delaware Notice to enter
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Delaware?
At least 48 hours' notice (except for repairs the tenant requested); entry only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Verified Source: 25 Del. C. § 5509(b) · last checked 2026-10-28
What this means for landlords
Your tenant has a right to privacy in their home, even though you own the building. The verified rule above explains when and how you can enter a rental in Delaware. Following it protects you if a tenant later claims harassment.
Step by step
- Decide why you need to enter (repairs, inspection, showing the unit) and pick a reasonable time.
- Give notice as described in the rule above, in writing if you can.
- Keep a copy of the notice and how you delivered it.
- Enter at the time you stated, and keep the visit to its purpose.
- For a true emergency such as a fire or burst pipe, go in, then tell the tenant what happened and why.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating a lease clause as permission to skip notice the law requires.
- Showing up early or at an odd hour.
- Entering over and over in a way that looks like harassment.
- Sending a contractor in alone without telling the tenant first.
- Relying on a text with no record of when it was sent.
Same topic in neighboring states
All Delaware landlord-tenant law · Delaware landlord FAQ · Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone) · Move-in checklist
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