How to Arrange a House Clearance After a Bereavement

Clearing the home of someone who has died is one of the hardest practical jobs people face, and it usually has to be done while grieving. There is no right way to do it and no rule that says you must do it quickly. This guide sets out the practical steps so that you can take them at your own pace.

Before you touch anything

Check the situation before you start to sort or remove anything.

• Find out who is responsible. If there is a will, it usually names an executor. If there is no will, the family or the courts decide who deals with the estate.
• Speak to the solicitor or whoever is handling the estate before items are disposed of. Property that belongs to the estate may need to be valued or listed, and items sometimes have to be kept for particular people.
• Check rent, mortgage and utility dates. If the home is rented, find out when it must be handed back. Councils and housing associations usually give notice periods, and you can ask whether there is any flexibility.
• Make the property secure, and check that insurance remains valid while it is empty. Insurers often have conditions for properties left unoccupied.

None of this needs to be done in a day. If you are unsure what the law requires, a solicitor can tell you. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Take things in a sensible order

1. Secure important documents first. Look for the will, passports, bank and pension details, insurance papers, property deeds, tenancy agreements and recent bills.
2. Find valuables and keepsakes. Jewellery, watches, art, collections, photographs and papers with sentimental value are best found before any wider clear-out begins.
3. Talk to family. Agree who would like what, ideally before anything is moved. It is easier to have this conversation early than to repair it later.
4. Decide what to sell or donate. Furniture, books, clothes and household items can often go to charity or be sold.
5. Leave the rest for the clearance. What remains can be removed by a clearance company.

Valuables and items to keep

It is easy to miss things in a full house, especially in a loft, a garage, a shed or the back of a wardrobe. Check pockets, books, drawers, coat linings and tins. Photographs, letters and documents can be hard to replace, so it can help to go through paper items slowly yourself.

If you think something is valuable, get it valued before it leaves the house. A local auction house or specialist dealer can usually advise.

Choosing a clearance company

When you are in the middle of a bereavement, a company that is patient and clear is worth a lot.

• Ask for a registered waste carrier number. The law requires anyone carrying waste for others to be registered, and you can check it on the official register.
• Ask what happens to items. Some companies reuse, donate or recycle what they can. Ask what they will do with the contents.
• Get the price in writing, with what is included and what is not.
• Ask whether they have experience with bereavement clearances, and whether they will take care with sentimental items and let you be present if you wish.
• Check they are insured.

Be careful of anyone who pressures you to decide on the spot, offers to take items without asking about them, or will not put a price in writing.

Looking after yourself

Give yourself time. If the property does not have to be cleared by a particular date, you do not have to do it all at once. It is fine to do a room a day, to ask a friend to be with you, or to leave a room for another day. If the clearance is too much to manage, a clearance company can take on the physical work while you decide what matters.

Getting quotes

When you ask for quotes, say what the property is and what you have already removed, and mention any parts you would like kept intact or any items that need care.

You can get free house clearance quotes through Ecoplus and compare them from verified companies. For more on how clearance pricing works, see house clearance costs. You can also read about our house clearance service, and if the property is then going to be let or sold, our end of tenancy cleaning guide may help.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to clear the property?

It depends. A tenancy, a mortgage or a sale may all set dates, while a property that you own outright may give you more time. Check with the solicitor or the landlord, and ask whether there is any flexibility if you need more time.

Can I clear part of the house myself and use a company for the rest?

Yes. Many families sort the keepsakes, documents and valuables themselves and ask a company to remove the rest. Tell the company what is already done when you ask for quotes.

Can furniture and clothes be donated?

Often yes. Many charities accept furniture and household items in good condition, and some will collect, but each has its own requirements, so ask before you arrange it.

What if there is a lot of paperwork?

Keep it together in one place and go through it slowly. Look for the will, bank and pension papers, insurance, property documents and bills before anything is thrown away.