For landlords and agents
Landlords and
evictions
Lock changes between tenancies, eviction lock changes alongside your enforcement agent, and repairs reported by tenants, across all your properties in East London.
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Quick answer
Can a landlord change the locks on a tenant?
Not while the tenant still lives there. Locks can be changed once possession has been given back, either because the tenant has left or because a county court bailiff or High Court Enforcement Officer has carried out a possession order. Changing them earlier is an illegal eviction.
Checked November 2026 by East London Locksmith Ltd, a Master Locksmiths Association member.
Fault finder
Landlord jobs and how we handle them
Find what is happening to you. If it is not here, call us and describe it: we will tell you what it needs and what it will cost.
Tap what is happening to see the usual cause and fix.
| What you notice | Usually the cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy changeover | The old tenant may still have keys. | New cylinders before the new tenant moves in. |
| Eviction booked | The bailiff or HCEO needs the locks changed once they take possession. | We attend at the agreed time and change every lock. |
| Tenant locked out | Lost keys or a failed lock. | Tenant let in, and keys or a lock replaced. |
| Repair reported | A lock, door or window is not working. | Repaired, with photos and a report for you. |
| Shared house or block | Many doors and many keys to manage. | Room locks, front door locks and suited keys. |
Tenancy changeover
Usually: The old tenant may still have keys.
New cylinders before the new tenant moves in.
Eviction booked
Usually: The bailiff or HCEO needs the locks changed once they take possession.
We attend at the agreed time and change every lock.
Tenant locked out
Usually: Lost keys or a failed lock.
Tenant let in, and keys or a lock replaced.
Repair reported
Usually: A lock, door or window is not working.
Repaired, with photos and a report for you.
Shared house or block
Usually: Many doors and many keys to manage.
Room locks, front door locks and suited keys.
Landlords and evictions
What we do
We can arrange access with your tenant, report back when the job is done, and invoice with your reference and the property address.
- Changes between tenancies
- Eviction lock changes
- Tenant lockouts
- Keyed-alike and suited keys
- Communal door locks
- Invoices with your reference
What is included
- Access arranged with your tenant
- Photos and a job report when we finish
- Invoices with your reference and the address
- Keys logged and handed to you or your agent
- Ask us about paying on account
Eviction day
Eviction day: what we need from you
We change the locks once the county court bailiff or High Court Enforcement Officer has taken possession. These details help the day go smoothly.
GOV.UK: evicting tenants in England (opens in a new tab)- The court paperworkThe warrant or writ of possession, and the date and time of the eviction.
- Who is enforcing itThe bailiff or HCEO, and their contact number on the day.
- The doors and locksHow many outside doors and what locks they have, so we bring the right cylinders.
- Keys and handoverHow many keys you want and who we hand them to. We log them on your job report.
- Your referenceA PO number or property reference, so the invoice matches your records.
Good to know
Evictions after the Renters’ Rights Act
What has changed for landlords and letting agents.
- Section 21 has endedFrom 1 May 2026, no-fault evictions ended. Possession now needs a Section 8 ground and a court order.
- We change locks after possessionOnce the court enforcement officer or bailiff has taken possession, on the same day.
- Never without a court orderChanging locks to remove a tenant without one is an illegal eviction. We will not do it.
- Licensing still appliesMost East London councils license rented homes. Locks on doors and rooms are part of the conditions.
Good to knowEvictions after the Renters’ Rights Act
- Section 21 has endedFrom 1 May 2026, no-fault evictions ended. Possession now needs a Section 8 ground and a court order.
- We change locks after possessionOnce the court enforcement officer or bailiff has taken possession, on the same day.
- Never without a court orderChanging locks to remove a tenant without one is an illegal eviction. We will not do it.
- Licensing still appliesMost East London councils license rented homes. Locks on doors and rooms are part of the conditions.
Four simple steps
How it works
7 days a week
- Send us the jobCall or email the address, the doors and your reference.
- We arrange accessWith your tenant, your agent or on the day of the eviction.
- We do the workLock change, repair or lockout, with the price agreed first.
- You get the reportPhotos, the keys and an invoice with your reference.
Prices
Supplied and fitted prices
All prices are supplied and fitted: the lock, fitting and labour, with no hidden extras. We confirm your price on the call before we come out.
Euro cylinders
On most uPVC and composite doors, and many wooden ones.- Kitemarked 1-star cylinder, usually with 5 keys
- from £95
- Kitemarked 3-star anti-snap cylinder
- from £130
Mortice deadlocks
5-lever British Standard (BS 3621) locks for wooden doors.- Mortice deadlock replacement
- from £120
- New mortice deadlock fitted
- £150
The locks we fit
Quality locks, not cheap imports
Not all locksmiths use the same locks. Some fit cheap unbranded locks that can wear quickly and fail. We do not.
- From proper suppliersEvery lock we fit is bought from reputable, well-established UK locksmith wholesalers.
- British Standard and KitemarkedCylinders carry the BSI Kitemark to TS007, and our mortice deadlocks meet BS 3621, the standard most home insurers ask for.
- Built to lastBranded locks work smoothly for years. Cheap ones can stick, wear and fail, which means another call-out.
- One price, all-inclusiveThe lock, fitting and labour in one price, agreed on the call before we come out.
Where we work
Landlords and evictions across East London
The same service and the same prices in every borough we cover, 24 hours a day.
Can you attend an eviction?
Yes. We change the locks on the day, alongside your court enforcement officer or bailiff, once they have taken possession.
Do you deal with tenants directly?
Yes, if you want us to. We arrange access and let you know when the job is done.
Can you invoice my agency?
Yes. Invoices carry your reference and the property address. Ask us about paying on account.
Do you cover HMOs and blocks?
Yes. Room door locks, communal doors and keyed-alike or suited key systems.
What is the difference between a bailiff and an HCEO?
County court bailiffs enforce a warrant of possession. High Court Enforcement Officers enforce a writ of possession, once the case has been moved to the High Court. Either way, we change the locks once they have taken possession.
Do you work with letting agents?
Yes. We can take instructions from your agent, arrange access with the tenant and invoice the agency with your reference.
Do bedroom doors in a shared house need special locks?
Council HMO standards usually ask for room locks that open from the inside without a key. We fit thumb-turn locks and key each room differently.
Checked November 2026 by East London Locksmith Ltd, a member of the Master Locksmiths Association. Standards and advice on this page follow UK guidance.
Sources and further help