Plain-language answer
Generally, yes — if the entry itself is lawful. When an Ontario landlord has given proper written notice (usually at least 24 hours, stating the reason and a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.), the tenant generally does not have to be home for the entry to go ahead, and the tenant's permission is not required at that point.
That can feel uncomfortable, but the rules cut both ways: the landlord generally cannot demand that you be present, and you generally cannot block a properly noticed entry by being away. What you can do is prepare — secure valuables, document the unit's condition, and ask (in writing) for details about who will enter and why.
Entry without notice while you are away is a different situation. Outside the recognized exceptions — such as emergencies or your consent at the time — entry without notice may be improper, and a pattern of it is worth documenting carefully and reviewing with a legal professional.
Why it matters
Knowing that lawful entry can happen in your absence helps you plan rather than panic — and helps you recognize when something outside the rules has happened.
If belongings are disturbed or go missing after an entry, the quality of your "before" documentation often determines whether you can do anything about it.
Facts that affect the answer
Based on the information available, these are the kinds of facts that commonly change how a situation like this is assessed:
- Whether proper written notice was given before the entry.
- Whether the entry happened within the permitted hours and matched the stated reason.
- Whether an emergency justified entry without notice.
- Whether anything was moved, removed, or damaged during the entry.
- Whether unknown people (contractors, agents, prospective buyers) entered and whether the notice identified the purpose.
Evidence to preserve
Preserve these now, in their original form
- The written notice, or a dated note that no notice was given.
- Photos of the unit before a scheduled entry, especially valuables and private areas.
- Photos afterward of anything moved, damaged, or left unlocked.
- A dated log of entries you did not witness but discovered evidence of.
- Any camera or smart-doorbell footage from inside your own unit, kept with its original timestamps.
Common mistakes
- Assuming entry in your absence is automatically illegal — with proper notice, it generally is not.
- Leaving no record of the unit's condition before scheduled entries.
- Installing new locks or barring access without consent, which can create problems for the tenant.
- Confronting workers or agents angrily instead of raising concerns with the landlord in writing.
- Deleting messages about entry that later turn out to matter.
Possible official process
If entries in your absence happened without notice and outside the exceptions, the general option is a written complaint to the landlord followed, if needed, by a tenant application to the LTB (commonly a T2).
If property went missing or was damaged, document it immediately and get legal advice about your options — and if you believe a theft occurred, you may also choose to contact police.
A legal clinic can help you assess whether what happened likely fits an exception before you escalate.
Tools that help with this
Jurisdiction: Ontario · Last reviewed 2026-07-15 · currently under review. Rules, forms, and deadlines can change — always confirm against the official sources above.
This is legal information, not legal advice. RTO Pro is not a law firm. Deadlines and exceptions may apply to your situation — a qualified legal professional should confirm anything important before you rely on it.