Clearing a Property to Sell or Re-let: Houses, Gardens and Commercial Units

Landlords, letting agents and property owners regularly need a property cleared quickly, whether it is a flat between tenants, a house going up for sale or a commercial unit at the end of a lease. Every empty week costs money, so a clearance that is planned well can make a real difference.

Start with photos

Most clearance companies now quote from photographs. Take clear pictures of every room, the loft, the garage and the garden, along with the access from the road. It saves a site visit and gives a firm price before anyone arrives.

Decide what stays

Before the team starts, make a list of anything that belongs with the property, such as white goods included in a furnished let, and anything a family member may still want. Where a former tenant has left belongings behind, follow the correct notice procedure before anything is disposed of. A good firm will also set documents and personal items aside rather than throwing them away.

Inside the property

Abandoned furniture, mattresses and bags of household waste make up most tenancy clearances. Experienced firms offering rubbish removal sort it as they load, so usable items go to charity or auction and more of the rest is recycled.

Outside the property

The garden is often the forgotten part of a clearance. Overgrown borders, a collapsed shed or a pile of rubbish left outside will put off buyers and tenants alike, and a garden clearance in Bridgend or elsewhere can be booked alongside the house so the whole property is ready in one visit.

Commercial units and offices

At the end of a commercial lease, furniture, partitions, IT equipment and paperwork may all need removing to meet the terms of the lease. Specialists in office and commercial clearance can work in phases or out of hours, recycle electrical equipment correctly and leave the unit empty for handover.

Your duty of care

• Use a registered waste carrier
• Keep the waste transfer notes
• Make sure hazardous items are handled correctly
• Get a written quote before work starts

With good photos, a clear list and the right team, most properties can be cleared and ready to market within days. For more on house clearance and waste removal services, see our house clearance category.