Eviction Locksmith

How Eviction Works in Florida, and Where a Locksmith Fits In

The single most important thing every Florida landlord needs to understand is that you cannot change the locks to force a tenant out on your own. Under Florida law, a residential landlord may not remove a tenant by changing the locks, shutting off the power or water, taking off doors or windows, or removing the tenant's belongings. These so-called self-help evictions are prohibited by Section 83.67 of the Florida Statutes, and a landlord who tries one can be held liable to the tenant for actual damages or three months' rent, whichever is greater, plus court costs and attorney fees. That is exactly why we will not change the locks on an occupied unit just because a tenant is behind on rent.

The lawful path runs through the court. For nonpayment the landlord serves a written 3-day notice under Section 83.56, and for many lease violations a 7-day notice applies. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files an eviction action in county court. When the landlord prevails, the clerk issues a Writ of Possession, the sheriff posts it on the door, and the tenant has 24 hours to leave under Section 83.62. Once that 24-hour period passes, the sheriff returns and formally restores the property to the landlord. That moment, when the sheriff hands the unit back, is when our locksmith steps in to change the locks legally and immediately.

Same-Hour Lock Changes the Moment Possession Is Restored

Eviction days are tightly scheduled, and the window between the sheriff restoring possession and the unit sitting open and unsecured can be a real risk. A former tenant may still have keys, and an empty unit with the original locks is an open door. We coordinate with you so a technician is on site and ready when the writ is executed, then change or rekey every exterior lock right away. In a single visit we can replace deadbolts and knob locks, rekey existing hardware to a brand new key, and hand you a fresh set so you are the only one with access.

Because we carry locks, cylinders, and cutting equipment in every van, you do not wait days for a return trip. For landlords managing turnovers on a deadline, that speed matters: the unit is secured, photographed if you wish, and ready to clean and re-list the same day. Call (561) 839-9919 ahead of your court date and we will hold time for the lockout so nothing slips.

Rekey or Full Replacement: Choosing the Right Option

After an eviction you have two main ways to lock out the old key. Rekeying changes the internal pins of your existing locks so the former tenant's key no longer works, while keeping the hardware you already own. It is the faster and more affordable choice when the locks are in good shape, and it is usually all that is needed between tenants. We can also key several doors alike so a single key opens the front, back, and any storage or gate.

Full lock replacement makes sense when the existing hardware is worn, damaged, builder-grade, or was tampered with during the tenancy. It is also the right call when you want to upgrade to stronger deadbolts or move a unit onto a keypad or smart lock so future turnovers need no physical key handoff at all. We will look at what is on the doors, tell you honestly whether a rekey will do, and only recommend replacement when it genuinely adds security or value.

Residential Evictions: Homes, Condos, and Apartments

Most of the eviction lockouts we handle are residential, from single-family rentals and condos to units inside larger apartment communities. The rules above apply to all of them: we change the locks only after the sheriff has executed the writ of possession or after a tenant has lawfully surrendered the unit in writing. When you manage a building, we can rekey the unit while keeping it inside your existing master system, so your master key still works while the tenant's old key is dead.

For property managers juggling several turnovers, we make the locksmith part of the day predictable. Give us the addresses and the sheriff's schedule and we will route a technician to each unit, rekey or replace as agreed, label the keys clearly, and leave you organized records. The goal is to take the lock side of the turnover off your plate entirely so you can focus on inspections, cleaning, and re-leasing.

Commercial Evictions and Nonresidential Tenancies

Commercial evictions follow a different part of Florida law than residential ones, and the lease itself often controls what a landlord may do. Nonresidential tenancies fall under Part I of Chapter 83, and Section 83.05 addresses a commercial landlord's right to retake possession when the tenant defaults or abandons the premises. Whether and how that applies depends heavily on the specific lease and the facts, so the safe and standard practice is to follow the lease terms and the court process, and to retake possession without a breach of the peace.

Our role on commercial jobs is the same: secure the space the moment you lawfully regain it. We handle storefront and glass-door locks, mortise and commercial deadbolts, panic and exit hardware, gates, and warehouse doors, and we can re-master a building so the old tenant's keys and any copies are useless. Because commercial situations vary so much from lease to lease, we always recommend confirming your specific rights with your attorney first, then we execute the lock work quickly once you have the green light.

Re-Securing After a Break-In or Damage Left Behind

Evictions sometimes leave damage. A tenant may have changed the locks without permission, broken a deadbolt, forced a door, or returned after the lockout and tampered with the hardware. We repair and replace what is broken, reinforce strike plates and frames where a door was forced, and bring everything back to a secure, working state. If a unit was broken into after it sat empty, we can re-secure it the same visit and upgrade weak points so it holds better going forward.

Whatever condition the doors are in when you take the unit back, we can get it locked tight before you leave. That protects the property from squatters and theft during the gap before cleaning and re-leasing, and it gives you a clean, documented starting point for the next tenant.

Serving Landlords Across Palm Beach County

We work with individual landlords, large property-management companies, HOAs, and commercial owners throughout West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Jupiter, Riviera Beach, and the surrounding Palm Beach County area. Whether you own one rental house or manage hundreds of doors, we offer the same fast, lawful, documented lock service on eviction and turnover days.

If you have a court date set or a writ of possession on the way, call (561) 839-9919 to schedule your lock change in advance. We will be ready when the sheriff is, so your unit is secured the moment it is legally yours again.

A Note on Legal Information

The summaries of Florida eviction law on this page are provided as general information to help landlords understand where professional lock service fits into the process. They are not legal advice, and statutes and local procedures can change. For guidance on your specific situation, including the correct notices, filings, and timelines, consult a licensed Florida attorney or your county court. We focus on what we do best: changing and securing your locks quickly and correctly once you have lawfully regained possession.