Eviction Locksmith Sheffield Bailiff Lock Changes
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We attend lawful evictions in Sheffield alongside county court bailiffs and High Court enforcement officers, open the door if needed and change the locks the moment possession is handed back.
Lawful possession only
We attend only with a court warrant or writ and the officer present
Booked to the bailiff's time
On site before the appointment so there is no waiting around
Locks changed on the spot
Every external door secured before the officer leaves
Paperwork for your file
Itemised invoice listing the doors and locks changed
As an eviction locksmith in Sheffield we attend on the day a court bailiff or High Court enforcement officer takes back possession, open the door if it is locked and change the locks so the property is secured for the landlord. Lock changes start from £20 per cylinder and are priced before the day. We only attend lawful evictions with the correct court paperwork and an officer present. Our base is 45 Broughton Lane S9, and we arrive ahead of the booked time. This page is general information, not legal advice.
We only change locks after lawful possession
In England, a landlord cannot simply change the locks to remove a residential tenant. Evicting someone without a court order, or harassing them to make them leave, can be a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. That is why we will not change locks on an occupied home unless possession is being taken back lawfully.
If you have not been to court yet
Speak to a solicitor, your landlord association or Shelter's guidance for landlords before doing anything. Notice rules for private landlords in England have been changing, so make sure you are working from current guidance. We cannot advise on the legal process.
In practice, almost every residential eviction we attend is carried out by a county court bailiff or a High Court Enforcement Officer. Commercial premises can work differently, depending on the lease, and that is a matter for your solicitor.
What paperwork does an eviction locksmith need?
Before we book, and again on the day, we ask to see enough to be satisfied that the eviction is lawful and that you have the right to the property:
- The possession order from the court.
- The warrant or writ of possession, or the notice of eviction showing the date and time set by the bailiff or enforcement officer.
- Photo ID for the landlord, or for the agent along with written authority from the landlord.
- Proof of ownership or management of the property if the names do not obviously match.
We do not enter until the bailiff or enforcement officer has arrived and tells us to proceed. If the officer cancels or postpones on the day, we leave the property as it is.
What happens on eviction day
We arrive early
We meet you outside before the appointment, check the doors from the outside and confirm which locks will need changing.
The officer takes possession
The bailiff or enforcement officer deals with any occupants. That is their role, not ours.
Entry if needed
If no one answers and the officer asks us to open the door, we use non-destructive methods wherever possible, so the door stays usable.
Locks changed
We replace the cylinders or locks on every external door, including back doors and any garage or side entrance.
Keys to you
New keys are handed to you or your agent, and the property is left secure before everyone leaves.
Bailiffs usually set a time window rather than an exact time and may be delayed by earlier jobs, so we plan our day around theirs. Waiting time is discussed when you book.
Preparing for the eviction appointment
A little preparation makes the day shorter and cheaper. When you book, it helps us to know:
- How many external doors the property has, including back doors, cellar doors in older terraces and any door from an attached garage.
- The door types: uPVC, composite or timber, and whether the front door has a nightlatch, a mortice lock or both.
- Whether there are outbuildings, gates or a communal entrance you want secured as well.
- Whether you have any working keys. If you do, entry may not be needed at all.
- Who will hold the new keys, and whether a letting agent needs a set.
Photos of the doors from the street are often enough for us to bring the right cylinder sizes. On a flat in a block, check with the managing agent whether the communal door is part of the system, as we will not change shared locks without their agreement.
Plan to stay until the end. Once the locks are changed, walk round with us to check every window is shut and every door is locked before the officer leaves.
Securing the property after an eviction
Once possession is back with you, the next few hours matter. Properties that have just been repossessed are sometimes targeted by former occupants or others who know they are empty.
| Issue found | What we do | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard euro cylinders on uPVC doors | Swap for new cylinders, ideally anti-snap | £20 |
| Timber door with mortice lock | Change to a BS3621 5 lever mortice | £75 |
| Door damaged or frame split | Repair so it closes and locks | from £79 |
| Broken window or glass panel | Board up until a glazier can replace it | from £120 |
| Garage or shed with old padlock | New padlock or garage lock | £20 |
Upgrading to anti-snap cylinders while we are there costs little extra and is worth it on an empty house. Our anti snap lock fitting page explains the TS007 3-star standard, and emergency boarding up covers broken glass.
Belongings left in the property
Former occupants often leave furniture and possessions behind. As general information only: landlords usually have obligations about how they store and dispose of goods that do not belong to them, so do not throw everything in a skip on the day. Photograph what is there, keep a record and take advice on the notice you should give before disposal. Our job is limited to the locks and making the building secure.
Shops, offices and commercial units
For commercial premises, we change shop-front locks, shutter locks and padlocks once you or your enforcement agent confirms the right to retake possession. We need to see the authority behind it, such as instructions from your solicitor or enforcement agent. Business locks and shutters are covered in more depth on our commercial locksmith page.
Eviction locksmith cost in Sheffield
Eviction work is priced on the locks to be changed plus any entry needed. Euro cylinders start from £20, a BS3621 5 lever mortice from £75, and commercial lockouts from £60. We confirm the price before the day, including any allowance for waiting, and out-of-hours appointments may carry an extra charge agreed in advance. Payment is by cash, card or bank transfer, with an invoice for your records.
Landlords who use us for evictions usually use us for routine tenancy changes too; see our landlord locksmith service. Every starting price is on our locksmith prices page, and the services hub lists our other work.
Eviction lock change prices
Starting prices from our price list, confirmed before the eviction date.
| Service | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Euro cylinder | £20 | New cylinder on uPVC or composite doors |
| 5 lever BS3621 mortice | £75 | Insurance-standard mortice on timber doors |
| Double locking nightlatch | £45 | Nightlatch on older front doors |
| Commercial lockout | £60 | Entry to shop, office or unit |
| Emergency boarding up | from £120 | Broken windows or doors made secure |
| Padlocks | £20 | Sheds, garages and gates |
Starting prices, confirmed on the phone before any work begins. See the full Sheffield locksmith price list.