Chester County, Pennsylvania

If you’re preparing for an eviction or you’ve purchased a property at a sheriff sale in Chester County, you may need help getting inside, changing the locks, or getting a fresh set of keys. You can call AW Locksmith ahead to plan the work. When we can start depends on the status of possession and your authorization to access the property.

How AW Locksmith helps with an eviction

Homeowners and other property owners may need to go through the courts to regain possession of a property. The process depends on who is occupying it. In a typical Pennsylvania residential tenant eviction, the owner gives notice when required and files a complaint if the tenant remains. If the court awards possession, the owner can request an order for possession. A case involving someone who was never a tenant may follow a different court process, such as ejectment.

Pennsylvania landlord and tenant law · Order for possession

For evictions handled by the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, the office requires written confirmation that you intend to proceed at least 24 hours before the scheduled time. Once your turnover is scheduled, you can call AW Locksmith to discuss which doors need to be opened or secured.

Chester County Civil Process Information

What happens on eviction day

Your designated point of contact handles communication with the sheriff and relays the instructions to us. Our locksmith waits off-site until that contact confirms the sheriff is already at the property and has given us the go-ahead to arrive.

Once we arrive, we follow the instructions relayed by the point of contact. If entry is needed, we can help open the designated doors. After possession is turned over and your contact confirms we can secure the property, we typically replace the designated locks and hand over the new keys. Letting us know which doors need attention ahead of time helps us bring the right hardware and keep the visit brief.

Buying property at a Chester County sheriff sale

A sheriff sale is a public auction. Chester County’s Sheriff’s Office lists two bases for its real estate sales.

• Mortgage foreclosure sale. The property is sold to enforce a mortgage foreclosure judgment.
• Sale to enforce a money judgment. A creditor uses the court’s enforcement process to have real estate sold toward a money judgment.

Chester County Sheriff Real Estate Sales · Real Estate Sale Filing Requirements

If you bought the property at an upset or judicial tax sale, that sale is administered separately by the Chester County Tax Claim Bureau. Tell us which type of sale you purchased through when you call.

Chester County Tax Claim Bureau

If the property is vacant and you can verify your right to enter, AW Locksmith can help you get inside and discuss rekeying compatible locks or replacing the hardware. If someone still occupies the property, or you’re unsure whether you can take possession yet, confirm the next step with your attorney before arranging entry. A separate court process may be needed to recover possession, and tenants may have protections after a foreclosure sale.

What to have ready when you call

• Property address and your role. Tell us whether you’re the owner, buyer, property manager, or acting on someone’s behalf.
• Photo ID and relevant paperwork. Have your order or writ for an eviction, or your deed and any paperwork showing possession for a sale, available for review. If you’re acting for the owner, have their written authorization handy. We’ll tell you what we need to verify for your situation.
• Status of the property. Tell us whether anyone still occupies it, whether possession has been turned over, and who will be our point of contact if there’s a scheduled turnover.
• Doors that need attention. Let us know if you have working keys and which doors need to be opened or secured. Photos you already have can help us prepare.

Planning an eviction turnover or securing a property after a sale in Chester County? Call or text AW Locksmith at 484-673-7818 or email info@aw-locksmith.com. Tell us where you are in the process, and we’ll help you plan the locksmith visit.