What to do if…
an official inspector arrives or gives very little notice to enter your home or business

What to do now

1. Ask the person to pause at the doorway, reception desk, or another suitable area while you verify the visit. Do not block an area that is already open to the public, and keep a safe distance if the interaction feels tense.

2. Ask for the inspector’s full name, title, agency, office, credential number, supervisor, and purpose. Examine their official credentials and ask for any inspection notice, warrant, administrative order, court order, subpoena, or other written authority.

3. Verify the visit independently. Find the agency’s official contact details through a government website or public directory rather than relying only on a number supplied by the visitor. Ask the agency to confirm the person’s identity and the visit.

4. If an unverified person is attempting to force entry into a private or nonpublic area, call 911 when there is an immediate threat requiring police assistance. Otherwise, contact local law enforcement through its published non-emergency route.

5. Ask whether the inspector is requesting voluntary consent or claiming legal authority to enter without it. Ask them to identify the authority they are relying on and to describe the areas, records, equipment, or activities covered.

6. Read each document presented. Check the name or address, issuing authority, date, permitted time, stated purpose, areas or records covered, and any apparent limits. Ask for a copy and calmly point out obvious errors without arguing at the doorway.

7. Contact a lawyer, legal aid organization, business counsel, property owner, or designated compliance manager as soon as possible. At a business, have one person coordinate access, documents, and practical arrangements without interfering with lawful employee interviews.

8. When entry is being requested only through your consent and you need advice, you can calmly say that you do not consent to entry or a search beyond what the law requires and that you will not physically interfere. If the inspector says entry is mandatory, repeat your request for the specific authority and contact a lawyer promptly.

9. If the inspection proceeds, do not obstruct it. Ask whether you or a designated representative may accompany the inspector, and keep factual written notes of names, arrival and departure times, areas visited, questions asked, photographs taken, samples collected, records reviewed, and items removed.

10. For document requests, ask for a written list where available, which records are required immediately, which may be provided later, and any response deadline. Keep copies of what you provide and preserve the originals unless the inspector is authorized to take them.

11. If the inspector takes records, samples, or property, ask for an inventory, receipt, or other written record. Do not physically interfere if they claim authority to take an item.

12. After the visit, write a factual timeline while events are fresh. Preserve credentials information, notices, emails, security footage, notes, photographs, requests, receipts, and copies of documents exchanged.