Broward County, FL
Eviction Lock Changes. Done Right, Done Legally.
Lock changes for landlords and property managers once a tenant has been legally removed — quick, discreet, and only done with proof of a Sheriff-executed Writ of Possession, so you're covered too.
A Locksmith Landlords Can Trust
We only change locks on an evicted unit once the eviction has legally gone through — that protects you, the incoming occupant, and us. Once you've got the paperwork, we move fast.
Eviction Lock Changes for Landlords and Property Managers
Changing the locks after an eviction sounds simple, but doing it the wrong way — or at the wrong time — can create real legal exposure for a landlord. Here's how we handle it, and what we need from you before we start.
Who This Service Is For
Landlords, property managers, and their attorneys who've completed the legal eviction process and need the unit secured. This is different from a standard tenant move-out or lease-end turnover — we handle those too, but this page is specifically about lock changes tied to a court-ordered eviction.
What We Require Before Any Eviction Lock Change
Before we change a single lock, we ask to see proof that the Sheriff has executed the Writ of Possession — the court order that legally removes the tenant. A lease violation, unpaid rent, or a notice you've sent isn't enough on its own; Florida law requires the eviction go through the court process, and we won't do a lock change without evidence that it has. This protects you as much as it protects us.
Why We Won't Do a "Self-Help" Lockout
Florida law prohibits landlords from removing a tenant on their own — changing the locks, shutting off utilities, or removing belongings without a court order is illegal, even if the tenant is genuinely behind on rent or violating the lease. We won't take part in a lockout that skips the legal process, no matter how frustrating the situation is. It's not worth the liability for either of us, and it can actually set the eviction back further.
What Happens After the Sheriff Executes the Writ
Once the Sheriff has removed the tenant and returned possession of the unit to you, we can come right behind and change the locks the same day in most cases. Many landlords call us ahead of time with the expected execution date so we're ready to go the moment the unit is legally yours again, instead of sitting vacant and unsecured.
Full Lock Change vs. Rekey
After an eviction, we generally recommend a full lock change over a simple rekey, since you don't know how many keys the former tenant made copies of or handed out over the course of the tenancy. A rekey resets the existing hardware to a new key, while a full change swaps the hardware entirely — we'll explain the difference and quote both so you can decide what makes sense for the unit and your budget.
Securing the Rest of the Unit
While we're there for the main lock change, we'll also check any other access points — a lanai or patio door, a garage entry, a shed — and flag anything else that needs attention before the unit sits vacant. Mailbox locks often get overlooked in an eviction too; we can handle those in the same visit if needed.
Multi-Unit and Portfolio Evictions
Property managers handling several evictions a month can work through us as a single, consistent vendor rather than juggling different locksmiths for each property. We can key units consistently across a portfolio if that's useful, and we're happy to build a straightforward working relationship so each job doesn't start from scratch.
Documentation We Provide
We can provide a simple record of the work performed and the date it was done, which is worth keeping in your file alongside the Writ of Possession — useful if the unit's status is ever questioned down the line, whether by a former tenant, a new occupant, or in a future legal matter.
What It Costs
Every job is quoted individually up front, whether it's a single-family home or a unit in a larger complex — no hidden fees, and the price we quote is the price you pay. Estimates are free, and property managers with recurring turnover get the same honest treatment on every call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you change locks for evictions?
Yes. We handle eviction lock changes for landlords and property managers across Palm Beach and Broward County — full lock replacement or rekey, done quickly and discreetly.
What do you need from me before you'll change the locks?
Proof that the eviction was completed legally — specifically, a Sheriff-executed Writ of Possession. We can't perform a lock change based on a lease violation or notice alone; Florida law requires the eviction go through the court process first.
Can you just lock out my tenant for me?
No. Florida law prohibits landlords from removing a tenant through a self-help lockout — changing locks or removing belongings without a court-ordered eviction is illegal, and we won't take part in it. We only perform eviction lock changes once the Sheriff has legally executed the writ.
How fast can you come after the Sheriff executes the writ?
Same day in most cases. Many landlords schedule us in advance for the Sheriff's expected date so we can come right behind them and secure the property immediately.
Should I rekey or fully replace the locks after an eviction?
We usually recommend a full lock change rather than just a rekey, since you don't know how many keys or copies exist from a former tenant. We'll walk you through the options and quote it up front.
Have an Eviction Coming Up?
Open now — call or text and you'll always reach the owner directly.