"The tenant's gone, do I just change the locks now?" It's one of the most common questions we get from Markham landlords, and the honest answer depends entirely on how the tenancy actually ended. Getting that part right matters more than the lock change itself.
The Question of Timing, Answered Directly
In Ontario, a landlord doesn't have the legal authority to change locks as a means of removing a tenant. That belongs to the Landlord and Tenant Board, and any physical enforcement of an eviction is carried out by the Sheriff's office alone. Changing locks before that process has concluded — sometimes called a self-help eviction — isn't a grey area; it's a real legal risk for the landlord.
So the answer to "do I just change the locks now" is: only once the Sheriff has enforced a Board order, or the tenant has genuinely and voluntarily moved out.
Once You're Past That Point
That's when this service applies. We check every lock tied to the unit, rekey what's serviceable, replace what isn't, and hand you a fresh set of keys with a clear sense of who can access the property from here.
The Keys You Don't Know About
Ask any landlord how many keys exist for a unit after even a single tenancy, and most can't answer with confidence. Spares get cut for roommates, family, or friends helping with a move, and none of that gets tracked. A rekey is the only real way to close that gap.
Situations This Covers
A unit recovered through full Board and Sheriff enforcement. A tenant who left on schedule at lease end. A unit abandoned without formal notice. Ordinary turnover ahead of a new tenant moving in.
What We Ask Before Booking
Simple confirmation the unit is legally vacant. We're not able to advise on your specific legal situation — a paralegal or the Landlord and Tenant Board is the right call for that.
Why Markham Landlords Choose Can-Lock Security
Mobile and family-run, working with landlords across Markham's established and newer rental properties alike.
Book a Post-Eviction Lock Change in Markham
Once your Markham rental unit is confirmed legally vacant, Can-Lock Security can help secure it properly. Reach out to schedule.
Related pages: Residential Lock Replacement | Emergency Lockout Service Markham | Residential Locksmith Services | Emergency Door Repair
