Tenant changed locks - 24 hr notice to change back?

[Jessica Wood]

Our TFH (tenant from hell) has received her 7 days to vacate. When those expire we will be filing a forcible entry and detainer. In the meantime, the peach has switched out the doorknob lock and we can’t enter the unit in case of an emergency. Our lawyer said if we switch out the lock, we have to leave her a key until her 7 days expires. But, I need to be able to enter in case of an emergency. If I am going to remove her doorknob that I don’t have keys to, and put a plain ole doorknob there, do I need to post a 24 hour notice to enter the premises? Or do I have a legal right to un-alter the premises? She has also added a lock right inside the door that I’d like to rip off. And on the bedroom door as well. She is the worst. Any insight? I don’t want to bug our lawyer on Labor Day.

[Jim K.]

@Jessica Wood

If it's a standard ten-buck doorknob made by Defiant or Kwikset or Schlage or pretty much any other major American manufacturer, there's a very simple solution if you ever really do need entry, if there ever really IS an emergency. Get a cordless drill and a set of drill bits. Google "drill out a lock."

So you do have the capability to enter in the case of an emergency -- you just have to have to destroy a $10 lock to do it. Don't use it unless you have to. Stay the course of the eviction, follow the letter of the law. This is not about who has the power and the control. You want this done with the minimal fuss possible. Get your emotions out of it. Stifle any and all feelings of "I'd like to..." that might lead to escalating conflict.