Although laws vary by jurisdiction, landlords typically retain the right to enter their property—as long as they serve the tenant with proper notice.
In this case, the landlord must deliver a written notice to the tenant within the mandated time frame. The notice must include the landlord’s signature and reason for entering.
With proper notice, the landlord does not need to obtain the tenant’s permission to enter the property. However, if the tenant consents (verbally or in writing), the landlord can enter the premises without waiting for the notice period to elapse.
Furthermore, as the property owner, the landlord should be able to access the dwelling unit without forcing entry.
If the tenant denies entry or changes the locks without the landlord’s permission, they may be in violation of their rental contract and possibly the law. As such, the landlord may be able to take legal action to gain entry to the property.