A rental unit changes hands more than once in its life, and the moment right after a tenancy ends is exactly when a landlord has the least certainty about who's holding a key. This page covers the practical, technical side of that moment: getting the locks reset once a unit is genuinely, legally back in the landlord's control.
First, the Legal Reality
Ontario law doesn't allow a landlord to remove a tenant or change locks as a way of enforcing an eviction. That authority sits with the Landlord and Tenant Board and, for physical enforcement, the Sheriff's office. A landlord who changes locks to shut a tenant out while the tenancy is still legally active — sometimes called a "self-help eviction" — takes on real legal risk by doing so.
Everything below applies only once that process has run its course: the Sheriff has enforced a Board order, or the tenant has voluntarily vacated and the unit is genuinely empty.
The Actual Service
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assessment | We check all entry points tied to the unit |
| Rekeying | Existing locks are reset so old keys stop working |
| Replacement (if needed) | Worn or damaged hardware is swapped out |
| Handoff | Fresh, documented keys go to the landlord or manager |
Why It's Worth Doing Every Time
There's no way to know, after a tenancy of any length, exactly how many keys were cut, borrowed, or copied along the way. A rekey removes that uncertainty entirely rather than leaving it to chance.
Typical Scenarios
A unit recovered through full Board and Sheriff process. A tenant who left voluntarily at lease end. A unit abandoned without formal notice. Simple turnover preparation between one tenant and the next.
Before We Start Any Work
We ask for confirmation that the unit is legally vacant — that any required eviction process has actually concluded — before performing a lock change. This isn't us being difficult; it protects you as much as it protects the outgoing tenant's rights. For questions about your specific legal standing, a paralegal, lawyer, or the Landlord and Tenant Board is the right place to ask, not us.
Why Toronto Landlords Choose Can-Lock Security
We're a mobile, family-owned locksmith working with landlords and property managers across the city. We handle the technical work of securing a property properly, quickly and without unnecessary cost, once it's legally yours to secure.
Book a Post-Eviction Lock Change in Toronto
Once a Toronto rental unit is legally vacant, Can-Lock Security can help secure it properly. Reach out to schedule.
Related pages: Residential Lock Replacement | Emergency Lockout Service Toronto | Residential Locksmith Services | Emergency Door Repair
