Florida eviction is a 5-step process — 3-day notice, unlawful detainer filing, hearing, writ of possession, Sheriff enforcement. We handle step 5: the lockout itself, after the writ is in hand. Coordinated with St. Lucie + Martin County Sheriff's deputies.
Eviction locksmith in PSL — Sheriff writ of possession enforcement assistance. We meet the deputy at the property, oversee the lockout, rekey all exterior doors.
Cost: $180-280 residential single-unit, $280-580 commercial. Includes rekey of all exterior doors + 3 new keys to the landlord.
We do NOT do self-help lockouts (i.e., without a writ). Self-help eviction is illegal in Florida and exposes the landlord to triple-damages liability.
Florida residential eviction follows a specific sequence — locksmith involvement is only at the end:
1. Notice. 3-day notice for non-payment of rent, 7-day for lease violation, 7-day for incurable violation. Posted on the door and served per Florida Statute 83.
2. Unlawful detainer filing. If tenant doesn't comply with the notice, landlord files an unlawful detainer action in county court. Filing fee + service fee.
3. Hearing. Tenant has 5 business days to respond. If they don't respond, default judgment for landlord. If they do, hearing is scheduled.
4. Writ of possession. Court clerk issues a writ of possession after the judgment. Writ is delivered to the County Sheriff's Office.
5. Sheriff's enforcement. Deputy posts a 24-hour notice on the door (giving tenant final time to leave voluntarily). 24 hours later, deputy returns to enforce the writ. This is where we get called.
The whole process typically takes 3-5 weeks if uncontested, longer if contested. We're not lawyers — for the first 4 steps, you need a Florida real estate attorney. Step 5, the lockout, is our role.
Standard scheduling: landlord coordinates with Sheriff's Office on the writ-enforcement date. Sheriff dispatches a deputy at the scheduled time. We arrive separately, with our truck, around the same time as the deputy.
Deputy's role. Posts the eviction notice on the door. Enters first (if tenant is present, deputy asks them to leave). Stays on-site as a witness during the lockout.
Our role. Once the deputy has cleared the premises, we rekey all exterior doors and provide the landlord with new keys. We do NOT remove tenant belongings — Florida law requires landlords to allow reasonable retrieval (typically within 24-48 hours via separate arrangement).
Standard rekey scope. Front door, back door, side doors, garage entry, mailbox, any auxiliary locks. 3 new keys cut on-site for the landlord. Typically 30-50 minutes total once the deputy clears.
For commercial evictions (storefronts, office space), the process is similar but the doors are often more numerous and may include specialty hardware (Adams Rite mortise, electrified locks, master key systems). Quoted separately.
| Service | Typical Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential single-unit eviction lockout | $180 - $280 | Rekey + 3 keys. Standard 1-2 cylinders. |
| Multi-bedroom residential / multi-door eviction | $220 - $380 | More cylinders to rekey. |
| Commercial space eviction (small) | $280 - $480 | Office, retail under 2,000 sf. |
| Commercial space eviction (large + storefront) | $380 - $680 | Adams Rite mortise or electrified hardware. |
| Same-day eviction add-on (rush, deputy already on-site) | $60 - $120 | Standard premium for urgent dispatch. |
| Post-eviction full lock replacement (not rekey) | $240 - $440 | When existing locks are too damaged to rekey. |
| Decision | Doctor Lockout | Other locksmith | DIY landlord lockout (illegal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinates with Sheriff writ schedule | Yes - we do this weekly | Sometimes | N/A |
| Verifies writ before any work | Yes | Should but doesn't always | N/A |
| Provides PDF documentation | Yes - timestamped | Sometimes | N/A |
| Same-day if writ is already issued | Yes - usually | Varies | N/A |
| Legal liability for landlord | Protected | Protected | Triple-damages liability per FL Statute 83.67 |
Real person on the phone in under 2 rings. Locksmith on-site in 15-30 minutes. Honest price before any tools come out.
Call (772) 284-5142No — Florida law (Statute 83.67) prohibits self-help eviction. Locking a tenant out, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities WITHOUT a writ of possession exposes the landlord to triple-damages liability + the tenant's legal fees. We require copy of the writ before scheduling. Any locksmith who does eviction work without a writ is also exposing themselves legally.
Residential single-unit: $180-280 including rekey of all exterior doors + 3 new keys. Multi-bedroom / multi-door: $220-380. Commercial: $280-680 depending on size and hardware complexity.
Yes — storefronts, office space, warehouse. The process is the same (Sheriff writ + our rekey) but commercial doors are often more complex (Adams Rite mortise, electrified hardware, master key systems). We quote based on door count and hardware type.
That's the deputy's situation, not ours. Florida law gives deputies authority to remove anyone refusing to comply with a valid writ. We wait outside until the property is clear, then begin our work. We've never had a situation where the deputy couldn't gain entry.
Often yes — depends on Sheriff schedule. Sheriff posts 24-hour notice first, so the actual lockout can't happen for at least 24 hours after writ issuance. Once that 24-hour window is past, same-day rekey is usually possible if our schedule allows.
Stay where they are. Florida law requires landlords to provide reasonable opportunity for the tenant to retrieve personal property — typically arranged within 24-48 hours after the lockout via supervised visit. We don't remove belongings as part of the lockout itself.
Eviction lockouts span PSL's entire rental footprint — older condo stock in Sandpiper Bay and River Park, newer mid-rises in Veranda Bay and Telaro, single-family rentals across Tradition and St Lucie West, plus commercial in Stuart, Jensen Beach, and Port Salerno.
Last updated: 2026-05-17