How to Clear a House After a Death: Complete Guide

1. First Steps After the Death

Before thinking about clearing the house, certain administrative procedures are a priority:

• Death declaration to the municipality (within 24 hours)
• Contact the notary to open the succession
• Terminate or transfer contracts (electricity, gas, water, insurance)
• Secure the property: check locks, home insurance

2. Inventory and Sorting Belongings

Before clearing, take the time to make an inventory. This step is important to:

• Identify valuable items (jewellery, paintings, old furniture)
• Locate important documents (deeds, contracts, family photos)
• Allow heirs to choose keepsakes
• Facilitate fair distribution among heirs

How to organise the sorting?

Create clear categories:

3. What to Do with Valuable Items?

You may have hidden treasures without knowing it. Here's how to identify them:

Potentially valuable items:

• Old furniture: wardrobes, sideboards, chests from before 1950
• Paintings and engravings: even small formats can have value
• Silverware: cutlery, trays, marked candlesticks
• Porcelain: old dinner services, figurines
• Jewellery and watches: even old costume jewellery
• Collections: stamps, coins, old postcards

4. Options for Clearing the House

Option 1: Clear it yourself

Advantages: Economical, allows taking your time

Disadvantages: Very time-consuming, physically demanding, requires a vehicle and access to recycling centres

Option 2: Hire a professional

Advantages: Fast (1-3 days), all-inclusive, sorting, donation and recycling

Disadvantages: Variable cost depending on volume

Option 3: Mixed solution

Collect keepsakes and important items yourself, then hire a professional for the rest.

5. Hiring a Professional: How Does It Work?

Here's the typical process for a professional house clearance:

Frequently Asked Questions