California Eviction and a tenant who moves out before she sheriff

[Brendon Woirhaye]

California landlord here.  Had a tenant who stopped paying, and moved forward with an unlawful detainer.  They used some delaying tactics but eventually the judge ruled against them and we were awarded possession.

While waiting for the filed writ of possession to be mailed to us, the tenants have moved out and left the place nearly empty and the doors unlocked.

Question: 

Do we need to proceed with a sheriff lockout (and wait the ~3 weeks for it to occur), or does their abandonment allow us to change the locks and begin rehab?

[Samantha Klein]

I would absolutely document that they have vacated and take pics. I would go secure your property asap. If a homeless person moves in then you have even more problems.