Locksmith After an Eviction in Buffalo, NY: Change the Locks Legally

Locksmith After an Eviction in Buffalo, NY: A Landlord’s Guide to Changing the Locks the Right Way

You went through the notices, the court date, and the wait. The sheriff has finally executed the warrant and handed the unit back to you. Now there’s one job left before you can breathe: getting the locks changed so the person who just left — and anyone they ever gave a key to — can’t walk back in. This guide walks Buffalo-area landlords through when you can legally change the locks after an eviction, why it matters, what it costs, and how to get it done the same day. It also includes a reference table of 50+ police stations across our service area, because knowing your local department is part of protecting your property.

“The number one call we get from landlords comes on the same afternoon the sheriff hands them the keys. That’s exactly the right time to call — the property is legally yours again, and the last thing an old copy of that key should do is still open the door.” — Simon Goodman, owner, Defense Locksmith

First, the Law: When Can You Legally Change the Locks in New York?

This is the part landlords get wrong, and it’s an expensive mistake. In New York, you cannot change the locks, remove belongings, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out on your own. That’s called a “self-help” eviction, and it’s illegal statewide — even if the tenant stopped paying months ago. Changing the locks is the final step of a legal process, not a shortcut around it. Here is the order it has to happen in:

1. Serve the proper written notice. The type and timeline depend on the situation — a demand for unpaid rent, or a notice ending the tenancy.
2. File the eviction case (nonpayment or holdover) in the correct city, town, or village court.
3. Attend the hearing. If the court rules in your favor, it issues a Judgment of Possession.
4. The court issues a Warrant of Eviction.
5. A sheriff, marshal, or constable executes the warrant after the required notice, physically restoring possession to you.
6. The moment that officer hands the unit back, it is legally yours to secure.
7. Call a locksmith and rekey or replace every exterior lock that day.

Do not change the locks before that warrant is executed. This article is general information for property owners, not legal advice — confirm your specific steps with a landlord-tenant attorney or your local court clerk.

Why Change the Locks the Same Day You Get Possession

Once the unit is legally yours, the clock matters. A departed tenant may have made copies, handed keys to a partner or family member, or simply never returned every key you issued. Rekeying closes all of that in one visit. Here’s what a same-day lock change protects you from:

• Former tenants (or their contacts) re-entering after they’ve been removed
• Unaccounted-for copies made at a hardware store during the tenancy
• Disputes over property left behind — a secured unit protects both sides
• A new tenant inheriting locks the last three tenants also had keys to
• Insurance and liability gaps while a unit sits empty and accessible

“Ninety percent of the time you don’t need new hardware — you need the cylinders rekeyed so every old key is dead. It’s faster, it’s cheaper, and it’s just as secure. Save the replacement budget for the doors that are actually damaged.” — Simon Goodman

Rekey, Replace, or Master Key? A Landlord’s Decision Table

Not every eviction calls for the same fix. Here’s how we help owners choose:

Option	Best for	Turnaround	Relative cost	What it does
Rekey	Most turnovers; locks that still work fine	Same day	$	Re-pins the existing cylinder so every old key stops working
Replace	Damaged, worn, forced, or low-grade locks	Same day	$$	Brand-new hardware plus a fresh set of keys
Master Key System	Owners with multiple units or a whole building	Planned install, then minutes per turnover	$$$ up front, $ per turnover	One master key opens all; each unit stays unique
Smart / Keypad Lock	Frequent turnovers; no more handing out brass	Same day	$$	Change a code between tenants instead of cutting keys

How Our Eviction Lock-Change Service Works

We do this constantly for Buffalo-area landlords and property managers. The process is simple and fast:

1. Call us with the property address and how many exterior doors need work.
2. We arrive the same day — often within the hour for emergencies.
3. We rekey or replace every exterior entry lock so all previous keys are void.
4. You get a fresh set of keys, cut on the spot.
5. Optional: we install a keypad or smart lock so your next turnover is a code change, not a key cut.
6. Own several units? We can fold the property into a master key system so future turnovers take minutes.

“If you own more than a couple of units, stop buying a new lock every turnover. One master key system, and we rekey a unit in minutes the day it turns over. You hold one key, the tenant holds theirs, and nobody inherits the last tenant’s copies.” — Simon Goodman

Buffalo Metro Police Stations: A Property Owner’s Reference (50+)

Evictions and turnovers occasionally need law enforcement — a civil standby while you take possession, a report if a removed tenant returns, or simply knowing which department covers your rental. Below is a reference table of police departments, sheriff’s offices, and State Police barracks across the four counties we serve. Non-emergency numbers only — always call 911 in an emergency.

Agency / Station	City / Town	County	Address	Non-Emergency Phone
Akron Village Police Department	Akron	Erie	21 Main Street, Akron, NY 14001	(716) 542-4481
Amherst Police Department	Amherst	Erie	500 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, NY 14228	(716) 689-1311
University at Buffalo (SUNY) Police	Amherst	Erie	Bissell Hall, UB North Campus, Amherst, NY 14260	(716) 645-2227
Town of Evans Police Department	Angola	Erie	8787 Erie Road, Angola, NY 14006	(716) 549-3600
Village of Blasdell Police Department	Blasdell	Erie	121 Miriam Avenue, Blasdell, NY 14219	(716) 822-1921
Buffalo Police Department – Headquarters	Buffalo	Erie	68 Court Street, Buffalo, NY 14202	(716) 853-2222
Buffalo Police Department – A District	Buffalo	Erie	1847 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220	(716) 851-4415
Buffalo Police Department – B District	Buffalo	Erie	695 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203	(716) 851-4403
Buffalo Police Department – C District	Buffalo	Erie	693 East Ferry Street, Buffalo, NY 14211	(716) 851-4412
Buffalo Police Department – D District	Buffalo	Erie	669 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14207	(716) 851-4413
Buffalo Police Department – E District	Buffalo	Erie	2767 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215	(716) 851-4416
SUNY Buffalo State University Police	Buffalo	Erie	1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222	(716) 878-6333
Erie County Sheriff’s Office	Buffalo	Erie	10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202	(716) 858-2903
NFTA Transit Police	Buffalo	Erie	1404 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209	(716) 855-7660
Cheektowaga Police Department	Cheektowaga	Erie	3223 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227	(716) 686-3500
Depew Village Police Department	Depew	Erie	85 Manitou Street, Depew, NY 14043	(716) 683-1123
East Aurora Police Department	East Aurora	Erie	571 Main Street, East Aurora, NY 14052	(716) 652-1111
Town of Eden Police Department	Eden	Erie	2795 East Church Street, Eden, NY 14057	(716) 992-9211
Town of Hamburg Police Department	Hamburg	Erie	6100 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075	(716) 648-5111
Village of Hamburg Police Department	Hamburg	Erie	100 Main Street, Hamburg, NY 14075	(716) 649-4501
Village of Kenmore Police Department	Kenmore	Erie	2395 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore, NY 14217	(716) 875-1234
Lackawanna Police Department	Lackawanna	Erie	714 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, NY 14218	(716) 822-4900
Lancaster Police Department	Lancaster	Erie	525 Pavement Road, Lancaster, NY 14086	(716) 683-2800
North Collins Village Police Department	North Collins	Erie	10543 Main Street, North Collins, NY 14111	—
Orchard Park Police Department	Orchard Park	Erie	4295 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, NY 14127	(716) 662-6444
Springville Police Department	Springville	Erie	65 Franklin Street, Springville, NY 14141	(716) 592-4936
City of Tonawanda Police Department	Tonawanda	Erie	200 Niagara Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150	(716) 692-2121
Town of Tonawanda Police Department	Tonawanda	Erie	1835 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14223	(716) 876-5300
West Seneca Police Department	West Seneca	Erie	1250 Union Road, West Seneca, NY 14224	(716) 674-2280
Town of Somerset Police Department	Barker	Niagara	8700 Haight Road, Barker, NY 14012	(716) 255-0503
Town of Lewiston Police Department	Lewiston	Niagara	4059 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY 14174	(716) 754-8477
City of Lockport Police Department	Lockport	Niagara	One Locks Plaza, Lockport, NY 14094	(716) 433-7700
Niagara County Sheriff’s Office	Lockport	Niagara	5526 Niagara Street Extension, Lockport, NY 14094	(716) 438-3393
Middleport Village Police Department	Middleport	Niagara	22 Main Street, Middleport, NY 14105	(716) 735-3373
Niagara Falls Police Department	Niagara Falls	Niagara	1925 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305	(716) 286-4711
Town of Niagara Police Department	Niagara Falls	Niagara	7105 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305	(716) 215-1480
North Tonawanda Police Department	North Tonawanda	Niagara	216 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120	(716) 692-4111
Village of Youngstown Police Department	Youngstown	Niagara	240 Lockport Street, Youngstown, NY 14174	(716) 745-3623
City of Batavia Police Department	Batavia	Genesee	31 Bank Street, Batavia, NY 14020	(585) 345-6350
Genesee County Sheriff’s Office	Batavia	Genesee	165 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020	(585) 343-5000
Corfu Village Police Department	Corfu	Genesee	116 East Main Street, Corfu, NY 14036	(585) 599-3327
Le Roy Police Department	Le Roy	Genesee	3 West Main Street, Le Roy, NY 14482	(585) 345-6350
Albion Police Department	Albion	Orleans	106 North Platt Street, Albion, NY 14411	(585) 589-5627
Orleans County Sheriff’s Office	Albion	Orleans	13925 State Route 31, Albion, NY 14411	(585) 590-4142
Holley Police Department	Holley	Orleans	8 Thomas Street, Holley, NY 14470	(585) 638-5308
Medina Police Department	Medina	Orleans	600 Main Street, Medina, NY 14103	(585) 798-5602
NY State Police – Troop A Headquarters	Batavia	Genesee	4525 West Saile Drive, Batavia, NY 14020	(585) 344-6200
NY State Police – Alden	Alden	Erie	11187 Broadway, Alden, NY 14004	(716) 937-3391
NY State Police – Boston	Boston	Erie	8555 Boston State Road, Boston, NY 14025	(716) 941-9300
NY State Police – Clarence	Clarence	Erie	196 Tpr. Kevin P. Dobson Way, Clarence, NY 14031	(716) 759-6832
NY State Police – Grand Island	Grand Island	Erie	2255 Baseline Road, Grand Island, NY 14072	(716) 941-9300
NY State Police – Lockport	Lockport	Niagara	6566 Dysinger Road, Lockport, NY 14094	(716) 434-5588
NY State Police – Niagara	Niagara Falls	Niagara	3609 Witmer Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305	(716) 297-0755
NY State Police – Albion	Albion	Orleans	14122 Route 31, Albion, NY 14411	(585) 589-5963

Departments and contact details change; verify with the agency before you rely on a listing. Coverage for some villages is provided by a neighboring town department or the county sheriff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the locks myself before the sheriff removes the tenant?

No. In New York, changing the locks before the warrant of eviction is executed is an illegal self-help eviction and can expose you to real liability. Wait until the officer restores possession — then secure the unit immediately.

Is it cheaper to rekey or to replace the locks?

Rekeying is almost always cheaper and just as secure, as long as the existing locks are in good shape. We only recommend replacement when hardware is damaged, worn out, or too low-grade to trust.

How fast can you get to my rental?

Same day across the Buffalo metro, and our 24/7 emergency service is often on-site within the hour.

Do you handle commercial evictions too?

Yes. Our commercial locksmith team rekeys storefronts, offices, and multi-tenant buildings, including panic hardware and master systems.

Which towns do you cover?

All of Erie and Niagara counties, plus the Buffalo-side communities of Genesee and Orleans. See the full list on our service areas page.

Regained Possession? Let’s Secure It Today

The eviction is over. The last step is making the unit truly yours again. Whether it’s a single door or a whole building, our residential locksmith team can rekey it the same day, hand you fresh keys, and set you up so the next turnover is painless. Call Defense Locksmith at (716) 803-2934 — serving landlords across the Buffalo metro area.