A landlord enters an apartment to investigate a water leak when no one answers. Did he commit trespass?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if he uses force
• D. Only if he damages property

Answer: (B)

Entering a rental unit to address an urgent issue like a water leak is within a landlord’s right to maintain the property and protect safety. When a tenant is unavailable, the landlord can enter to inspect and repair the problem if delaying could cause damage or create a danger. This emergency or repair right means the entry is not trespass, even though there was no immediate consent. The key idea is that the entry is for a legitimate, necessary purpose and the situation constitutes an exception to requiring prior permission. If the landlord had entered without a legitimate purpose or abused the entry rights, that could raise liability, but investigating and fixing a water leak in an emergency is allowed.