Peaceable reentry meaning

The landlord taking back possession of commercial premises by physically re‑entering and making clear its intention to forfeit the lease (typically by changing the locks and posting a notice), without using or threatening violence. In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, it is a common method of forfeiture where the lease contains a right of re‑entry, following a breach of covenant, and any statutory preconditions (for example, in England and Wales, a section 146 notice for breaches of covenant other than non‑payment of rent) have been satisfied and the landlord has not waived the breach. It is not defined in legislation, but recognised in case law and constrained by criminal law on violent entry. If anyone objects, the landlord should desist and seek a court order. Peaceable re‑entry is generally unlawful for residential tenancies; possession must be obtained by court order. In Scotland, the closest concept is irritancy of a lease; landlords recover possession by decree for removing rather than self‑help, and the expression “peaceable re‑entry” is not used. In Ireland, landlords may determine a commercial lease by re‑entering where the lease permits, but residential tenancies require statutory processes. Tenants may seek relief from forfeiture/irritancy after re‑entry.