Step 1: secure the home and find key documents
- Check the property is locked and insured.
- Look for the will, deeds, bank statements, insurance and utility bills.
- Cancel or redirect post and notify banks, utilities and the council.
Step 2: take your time over personal items
Photographs, letters and jewellery can be overwhelming. Put them in labelled boxes to sort later. There is no rush to decide in the first week.
Step 3: sort into four groups
- Keep. Items family members want.
- Sell. Antiques, art, collectibles and good furniture. Get a valuation if unsure.
- Donate. See our guide to donating furniture in Kent.
- Dispose. Everything else, by tip run or clearance.
Step 4: decide between DIY and a clearance company
A skip or tip runs may work for a small property, but for a full house the time, lifting and booking rules add up. Compare options in our skip hire vs house clearance guide and our Kent recycling centres guide.
Step 5: what a professional team does
We quote from photos, set aside valuables and papers, clear the house in one visit and provide paperwork. Read who pays for probate clearance and our probate checklist.
After the clearance
- Keep the invoice and waste paperwork.
- Arrange a final clean if needed.
- Hand back keys or prepare the property for sale. See clearing a house before selling.