How many times can my landlord inspect my rental property in South Australia?
Yes, your landlord can inspect your rental property up to once every four weeks in South Australia. However, they cannot show up unannounced. They must provide you with formal written notice between 7 and 14 days before the routine inspection takes place.
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How it works in practice
Routine Inspection Limits
In South Australia, your landlord or property manager is legally permitted to conduct routine inspections to check the condition of the property. However, the law strictly limits these visits to a maximum of once every four weeks.
While four weeks is the legal minimum interval, most real estate agents and landlords typically schedule inspections every three to six months, as inspecting every month is generally considered excessive for standard tenancies.
Notice Requirements
Your landlord cannot simply show up at your door unannounced. They are legally required to provide you with formal written notice before arriving. This notice must be given to you between 7 and 14 days prior to the exact inspection date.
The notice must clearly state the date of the inspection and specify a two-hour window during which the landlord or agent will enter the property. The inspection must take place at a reasonable time of day, generally between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, and not on a Sunday or a public holiday unless mutually agreed.
Tenant Rights During Inspections
You have the right to be present while the inspection is being conducted, although it is not legally mandatory. If you cannot be home, the landlord can use their spare key to enter, provided they have given the correct legal notice.
Important exceptions
There are specific exceptions where a landlord can enter more frequently or with different notice periods in South Australia. If the landlord needs to conduct necessary maintenance or repairs, they are only required to give 48 hours' written notice.
In the event of a genuine emergency, such as a fire, gas leak, or a burst water pipe, they can legally enter the premises immediately without giving any prior notice.
Additionally, if the landlord is showing the property to prospective buyers or new tenants, different notice rules apply. Finally, if you explicitly consent to an immediate visit, standard notice periods and frequency limits do not apply.
What you should do now
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Keep a record of all routine inspection dates to ensure they do not occur more frequently than once every four weeks.
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Check that the written notice was provided to you between 7 and 14 days before the scheduled inspection.
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Verify that the notice specifies a clear two-hour timeframe and is scheduled on a day other than a Sunday or public holiday.
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Contact your landlord or property manager immediately to negotiate a new time if the proposed inspection window is highly inconvenient.
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File a formal complaint with the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) if the landlord repeatedly breaches entry rules.
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