What is a tenant's right to privacy?

The concept of a tenant's right to privacy primarily hinges on the expectation that tenants should be able to enjoy their rented living space without unwarranted intrusion. This right is fundamentally linked to the requirement that landlords provide advance notice before entering a tenant's unit, except in emergencies. This procedure helps establish clear boundaries and assures tenants that they can feel secure and private in their home.

In most jurisdictions, including Oregon, landlords are typically required to give at least 24 hours' notice before entering the rental property for non-emergency situations. This protects tenants from unexpected interruptions and reinforces their right to privacy within their home.

While the other options touch upon aspects of tenant rights, they do not directly pertain to the right to privacy. A tenant's ability to have guests, refuse maintenance, or change locks without permission may involve various aspects of a rental agreement or local laws but do not specifically address the critical issue of privacy related to landlord access.