Start with what cannot be replaced
Before anything goes in a bag or a van, look for the things that matter most. Do this yourself, or with a family member, and do it first, before other people are moving through the house.
- Passports, birth certificates, wills and other legal papers
- Bank and pension paperwork, insurance documents and letters from solicitors
- Jewellery, watches, coins, cash and anything that looks valuable
- Photographs, letters, medals and things with family meaning
- Keys, spare keys, meter details and appliance manuals
Sort in a clear order
The trick is to decide category by category, not room by room, so you are not making the same decision twenty times. Use labelled boxes, sticky notes or coloured tape if it helps.
Keep
Things family members want or that you are storing.
Sell or value
Furniture, antiques or collections worth checking. Consider a proper valuation for anything you are unsure of.
Donate
Clean, usable items in good condition.
Dispose
Everything else, gathered in one place.
Paperwork and practical admin
Clearances often come with a list of things to notify: utility suppliers, the council, banks, insurers and the landlord or estate agent. Take final meter readings on the day you start and again at handover, and photograph them.
If the house belongs to someone who has died, check what you are allowed to do before disposing of anything. There may be a will, an executor and a legal process to follow, and you should ask the executor or a solicitor before removing items. Save this stage for when you are sure.
Photograph each room
Take wide shots of every room before you start, and again once it is empty. The first set shows the amount of work for a quote. The second shows the condition you left the property in, which can matter for deposits, landlords and buyers.
Add close photos of large or unusual items, and of anything you are unsure about, such as chemicals, gas bottles or old paint. That lets us tell you what is possible before the van turns up. Regulated items such as fridges, TVs and mattresses need a mention because we confirm those on the quote.
Access, parking and keys
On the day, the crew needs a clear route and somewhere to stop. Many Leeds streets have narrow parking, permit bays or steep approaches, so tell us early what the road is like. If there are parking restrictions, check the signs and leeds.gov.uk for how to arrange a suspension or permit where one is needed.
Arrange for someone to be at the property to open up, or leave clear written arrangements for keys. Point out awkward doors, steps, gates and stairs, and let neighbours know if a van will be outside for a while. Turn off and disconnect appliances beforehand, and empty anything that could leak.
What to set aside on the day
Leave yourself some time at the end. Walk through every room, cupboard, drawer and outbuilding once the crew has finished, and check the loft, the garage and the garden shed as well. It is surprisingly easy to overlook a locked cupboard or a box at the back of a wardrobe, and much easier to sort out while the van is still on the drive. Take a final set of photos, read the meters, lock up and hand back the keys.
Keep a small box or bag that stays with you and does not go anywhere near the pile: keys, documents, phone charger, water and a marker pen. Label anything that must stay, and tell the crew clearly where it is. A sticky note on a chair does more than a verbal reminder.
If you book Offload house clearance Leeds, send us photos and your postcode first, and we will tell you what looks straightforward and what needs a question.
Do the irreplaceable things firstPapers, valuables and keepsakes should be found and secured before any bulk clearing begins. Everything else can be sorted quickly once they are safe.
Questions
How far ahead should I start sorting?
As early as you can. A few days is enough for a small property, while a full house can take much longer. Photos and a quote request can be sent while you sort.
Do I need to be there on the day?
It helps to have someone there, especially if items are being kept. If that is not possible, leave clear written instructions and arrange access in advance.
Should I take things apart first?
If you can, yes. Beds, wardrobes and shelving are quicker to load when they are in pieces, but tell us if you cannot.
What if I find something hazardous?
Do not open, move or burn it. Mention it in your photos so we can say what is possible, and keep children and pets away from it.
Services that help
House clearance
Probate, void and downsizing clearances, room by room.
See the serviceProbate house clearance
Careful clearance of a home after a death, on your timetable.
See the serviceRubbish removal
Rooms, lofts, garages and one-off loads taken away.
See the serviceLocal pages
- Waste removal in RoundhayLS8
- Waste removal in Moortown and AlwoodleyLS17
- Waste removal in Adel, Cookridge and WeetwoodLS16
More guides
- How a van waste removal quote is built in Leeds
- Using Leeds household waste recycling sites: who they suit
- Council bulky collection or private waste removal in Leeds?
- How to get rid of a sofa in Leeds
- Clearing a house after a death: a gentle practical guide
- End of tenancy clearance checklist for tenants and landlords
- Waste transfer notes and your duty of care
- What cannot go in a skip in Leeds, and why
- How to check a waste carrier is registered in Leeds
- Fly-tipping and your duty of care as a householder in Leeds
- Student move out rubbish in Leeds: a guide for tenants and landlords
- Clearing a loft safely: a practical guide for Leeds homes
- Clearing a flat in Leeds city centre: lifts, loading bays and timing
- Donate, sell or dispose of old furniture in Leeds
- What happens to your waste after a Leeds collection
- How much waste fits in a van load: a Leeds guide
- Clearing your home before you sell in Leeds
- Garden waste in Leeds: what to do with it
- Clearing a hoarded home with respect in Leeds
- Old sofas and flame retardant rules: what Leeds households should know