CaptainLock works alongside police, fire departments, bailiffs, civil enforcement, and REO property preservation companies across Richmond and Vancouver handling court-ordered lock changes, evictions, and property access with full documentation and legal compliance at every step.
BC Security License #B7120
BC Security License #B7120
BC Security License #B7120
Every technician joins our team with a minimum of two years of industry experience, then completes a two-month, in-house hands-on training program under our founder, Alan Bell supervised by a Red Seal Certified Locksmith. For legal and institutional work, that training includes proper documentation practice and legal compliance, not just the technical lock work
One of the most common misunderstandings in this field: an Order of Possession and a Writ of Possession are not the same thing. An Order of Possession determines who’s entitled to possession it doesn’t authorize a lock change on its own. If a tenant hasn’t left voluntarily, a landlord generally needs a Writ of Possession, enforced by an authorized court bailiff not by a landlord or locksmith acting alone.
We don’t “perform evictions.” Our role is to secure the property after lawful possession has been established typically directed by the authorized bailiff, not the landlord independently. That distinction keeps everyone on the right side of the law, and it’s exactly why we require the writ or court order before we touch a lock.
This reflects our understanding of standard BC process and is not legal advice always consult the authorized bailiff or a lawyer for your specific situation.
This reflects our understanding of standard BC process and is not legal advice always consult the authorized bailiff or a lawyer for your specific situation.
Before we act on any court-ordered lock change, we require the writ or court order. If the unit is occupied, we require police presence on site before proceeding though we’re clear that police presence alone doesn’t expand what a locksmith can legally do. If a unit is vacant or a tenant has left, we require proof of ownership. Every job is documented photos of IDs and all relevant paperwork so there’s a clear record of exactly what happened and when.
If there’s any risk of a confrontation, tell us in advance. We’ll contact police ourselves and request an officer on scene before we begin.
Eviction and legal jobs often bring lock conditions you won’t see on a routine call tenant-installed extra deadbolts, changed cylinders, reinforced doors, damaged or glued locks, mismatched hardware from years of changes, and in multi-unit buildings, restricted keyways or master-key systems where the wrong replacement can compromise the whole building’s security or fire code compliance. We identify what’s actually there, use the least destructive method when we can, and document the condition before and after.
Bailiffs, civil enforcement companies, and property preservation firms call us because we show up on time, every time, and we always pick up the phone. We prefer ongoing relationships with the companies we work with, offering standard pricing so there’s no guesswork call to call.
For REO and property preservation companies, we don’t stop at re-keying. We coordinate the entire turnaround lock changes and repair, securing the property, and connecting you with our trusted network of cleaners, painters, and renovation crews so a vacant property goes from “just took possession” to ready for sale or rent, without you managing five separate vendors yourself.
Legal and eviction work involves people at a difficult moment, and we take that seriously. We never show faces or addresses in any documentation or content from this work your case, your client’s privacy, and everyone’s safety come first.
Locked out, need a new key, or thinking about upgrading your security? Call us Alan Bell and the CaptainLock team are a phone call away.
Come by the shop, or let us come to you. From your first call to the finished job, you’ll always know who’s coming and when no disappearing act, no guessing.
Have a question, need a quote, or want something specific handled? Reach out anytime
How fast can you get to me? In most of Richmond, Vancouver, Surrey, and Burnaby, our emergency locksmith response time is 15 to 30 minutes because our technicians live across the region, not just near one shop.
Order of Possession determines who’s entitled to the property but doesn’t by itself authorize a lock change. A Writ of Possession is the enforcement document, carried out by an authorized court bailiff that’s generally what’s required before locks can legally be changed.
No, the authorized court bailiff enforces the writ and takes possession. Our role is securing the property afterward, typically directed by the bailiff.
Not by itself. Police may attend for peacekeeping, but they don’t authorize an eviction or expand what a locksmith can legally do. We require the writ and proper authorization regardless of who else is on scene.
The writ or court order. If the unit is occupied, we require police to be present. If vacant, we require proof of ownership.
It happens often extra deadbolts, changed cylinders, reinforced doors, or damaged locks. We identify what’s there and handle it appropriately, including preserving fire-rated doors and master-key systems in multi-unit buildings.
Yes every legal or court-ordered job is documented, including photos of IDs and all relevant paperwork.
More than locks — we coordinate the full turnaround. Lock changes, repair, and securing the property ourselves, plus connecting you with trusted cleaning, painting, and renovation partners.
Yes we prefer standing relationships and offer standard, predictable pricing for companies we work with regularly.
Need something else? For general commercial or
strata locksmith services, see our Commercial & Strata Property page.
Request Service in Richmond & the Lower Mainland Tell us what’s going on, and we’ll take it from there.
Complete the form below, and a screen expert will contact you soon.
