A friend who is out of town is finally having the sheriff tomorrow to finalize an eviction - awful, "professional" tenants have dragged her through the ringer.

Another friend and I are her designated representatives and need to get into the house.

I have one key to back doorknobs, but NOT to the deadbolts. We think tenants changed locks (cannot prove, but have checked the key I have)

We are meeting the sheriff and movers in the morning and do not have keys to any door or garage door openers.

Do not know what to expect -

Will sheriff allow us to drill out the locks? if so, HOW do we drill out a deadbolt?

If we can just remove the deadbolt from the back door, we can then get inside and remove other locks.

i have a handyman meeting me - didn't call a locksmith in time.

After we get inside, I have new locksets for all doors and he will change them.

To remove a dead bolt you have to be inside the house to remove the screws that hold the lock in place to get to the inside parts of it.

Do you have a window that is unlocked ? You could remove

the storm window screws and get in that way. Or in such

desperate times depending on how nice of windows you have ...I would pick a window on the back side of the house

no one can see and ooops , wonder how that window got broken? Reach in and unlock the window to get inside.

I would not be locked out of my house by a dead beat tenant.

The Sheriff doesn't play games. You have like one or two minutes to open up the door. If not, they are on their way to the next Lock-Out.

So having a Licensed locksmith or a handyman who know how to drill, cut, pick or disable a lock is important. Even it it cost $100 to have someone there, it's worth it.

A landlord lady I knew did a stupid thing. She went the day before to "test" her keys on the lock without a 24 hour notice and ended up getting arrested by the police -- illegal entry. The tenant could have killed her!

In my case, I know what the old locks looks like and can tell if they were changed or not. Also I carry a professional battery drill with cobalt, tungsten and hardened drill bits with a templet to know where to drill. Sometimes a tenant will add a device to keep the door from opening. I also carry a battery sawzall with thin metal blades to cut through any additional locks through the door jamb.

Thanks everyone

I am 95% sure tenant is gone. I saw her last week when we were supposed to meet there (for the 20th time) and she would not let us in - she was in her car driving off and said she would come back but of course would not.

So I just want to make sure we can get in right away - I assume that sheriff will allow drilling of locks but was worried maybe not. Thanks for any tips on the locks.

I think the easiest would be the Defiant deadbolt they added downstairs - or bring a small child to crawl through the doggie door!! (it looks open, not sure).

I want to make sure I bring the right tools. I have a handyman meeting me, and he has worked for years for a property manager, so hopefully he knows, but I want to bring backup! Make sure I have the right kind of drill bits, tools, etc.

I have knocked and rang door and quietly tried the key to see if it works - but never made an attempt to push a door open - not that stupid, and the tenant absolutely knows every in and out of LL/eviction laws.

talk about pro tenants - they have so many evictions - story too long here, but the moral to all new LLs is DO NOT WAIT to post and file when rent is late.

I am just helping the owner.

This should do it. ;)

Or a crowbar.

Don't forget to sue the deadbeat for any damages caused by entry.

files.harrispublications.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2013/01/9420_phatch.jpg

LivetheDream

thanks for the smile just as I was logging off to get some sleep!

I don't have a shotgun (or any gun) but it's a nice thought!

Try before you Pry. (Fireman's Term)

Check All doors and windows, first.

A Surprise will be waiting inside. (Almost Always)

Update: After waiting an hour for Marshalls to confirm they could do the eviction and for late movers to arrive, my handyman drilled through the basement deadbolt (cheapest lock) to enter, and Marshalls walked through and let us in the front door (didn't want to damage that one)

of course, halfway through the drilling, I went upstairs to deck and saw they HAD left that deadbolt open since yesterday (I had key to doorknob) but Marshalls had to go in first from downstairs.

House was clear - mostly empty of personal belongings.

Of course they took the landlord's expensive washer and dryer with them.

Amazing how dirty the house is after six months. New carpets are filthy beyond belief. House is dirty, but they didn't do any damage beyond filth and lack of care for the property.

Now, time to get the house ready to sell. This homeowner will probably never be a landlord again.

Made me very grateful for my tenants

(and all the good landlord screening tips I learned from this site)

Update: After waiting an hour for Marshalls to confirm they could do the eviction and for late movers to arrive, my handyman drilled through the basement deadbolt (cheapest lock) to enter, and Marshalls walked through and let us in the front door (didn't want to damage that one)

of course, halfway through the drilling, I went upstairs to deck and saw they HAD left that deadbolt open since yesterday (I had key to doorknob) but Marshalls had to go in first from downstairs.

House was clear - mostly empty of personal belongings.

Of course they took the landlord's expensive washer and dryer with them.

Amazing how dirty the house is after six months. New carpets are filthy beyond belief. House is dirty, but they didn't do any damage beyond filth and lack of care for the property.

Now, time to get the house ready to sell. This homeowner will probably never be a landlord again.

Made me very grateful for my tenants

(and all the good landlord screening tips I learned from this site)

Another happy ending. Glad it worked out. Can you charge theft on the appliances?

LivetheDream

I Facetimed the owner after Marshall left, and she was aghast that the nice, expensive frontload LG set was missing.

I guess the tenant figured the landlord owed her for paying 1/2 month's rent after the first eviction (to stay the eviction, unbeknownst to owner)

I called the marshall, who said he would note it in the report, but he is a former cop and it would be hard to charge them with theft

He suggested the owner claim it as part of the civil case.

she still might charge the tenants.

UGGG - Just another reason to include the least expensive washers and dryers in my rentals.

Don't forget to document EVERYTHING with photos.

Stove is all we supply and have a hefty charge for cleaning. You can't get money for items they steal unless you see them taking it-- in which case I would call the police right then and there. Consequences of calling cops is usually damaged property.

Collecting on damages is a business. If your LLing you better get good at it. There use to be a cartoon years ago about selling dirt-- you know they ain't makin any more dirt. The money in dirt is "going after people who trash your place".

Just to clarify,

today I showed up on behalf of a friend/reluctant landlord during the official eviction of her "professional" tenants who had gone and left a mess.

The homeowner moved out of state and listed the home for sale. The washer and dryer were meant to be sold with the home.

Her listing agent (who was trying to sell the house) also listed it for rent, and accepted these tenants.

Listing agent (who was happy to accept the leasing fee) first rejected the apps then the tenants talked her into it. I believe she told the homeowner that their credit was not great, but they would double the security deposit for protection. From what I understand, in six months she got about 2 months' rent, most of the security deposit (checks bounced) and a lifetime of headaches and lies.

I also think that one or two of the tenants are state employees, so hopefully, she will be able to garnish.

I have 8-10 SFH rentals and great tenants. I choose them myself, screen them carefully (THANK YOU, MR. LL and fellow LLs on these boards) and treat them well (I hope) and only had one eviction, from my very first lease about 15 years ago.

In drilling a lock, you drill it using about a 3/16 bit just at the top of the key slot where the slide is located at. You should be able to actually feel the pins releasing as you drill to them. What you are feeling is actually the pics dropping.

Ray, I just use the highest quality 3/8 inch bit I can buy and drill right into the keyhole. IT JUST CHEWS THE WHOLE MECHANISM UP AND I PULL IT OUT WITH PLIERS AND HIT THE INNER LOCKING SLIDE.

Ray-N-Pa and Don (PA)

thanks for the specifics. I know I could have done it myself, had drills, batteries and an assortment of drill bits (just in case any one did not work) but in the end, asked the handyman to do it.

House will be sold, so LL locks were not the answer.

I didn't want to change locks myself - takes me too long.

Ray-N-Pa and Don (PA)

thanks for the specifics. I know I could have done it myself, had drills, batteries and an assortment of drill bits (just in case any one did not work) but in the end, asked the handyman to do it.

House will be sold, so LL locks were not the answer.

I didn't want to change locks myself - takes me too long.

You are a good friend to help with the nasty part of land lording.

I noticed that they are going to sell the house. I am in Georgia and looking for another investment property and would be interested in this property.

Let me know if I can help.

Bob