After the death of a loved one, there is often a lot involved. While you are busy processing your grief, you must also think of practical matters. This includes the funeral, for example, but also arranging the deceased’s ongoing affairs. One of these matters is often emptying the house. But who is responsible for emptying the house after death?
Who is responsible for clearing a house after death?
After the death of a person, officially the heirs are responsible for emptying the home. Often these heirs are designated in the deceased person’s will. If the person did not make a will, the immediate family is automatically held responsible. If there are multiple heirs, you should jointly arrange for the house to be emptied.
Dismissing inheritance
In some cases, people choose to reject the inheritance. This means that a person completely renounces the deceased’s inheritance. This can occur, for example, when the deceased leaves behind debts. If the heirs choose to reject the inheritance, they are also no longer responsible for the house clearance. This then falls to the other heirs, or if no heirs remain, to the municipality.
What is involved in vacating the home
When you are an heir and therefore responsible for on the emptying of the property, there are a few things involved. It varies whether the deceased owned a home for sale, or rented a home.
Responsibility in rental housing
If the deceased lived in a rental property, it is smart to arrange the emptying of the house as soon as possible. This is because the rent continues until the property is returned to the landlord. For the delivery of a rental property you often have to follow certain guidelines. If you want more information about this, you can read our article: How should I deliver my rental property? Or you can contact us. We are specialists in delivering rental ready properties.
Responsibility in owner-occupied housing
When the deceased owned an owner-occupied home, there is often a little less urgency in the eviction process. There is, however, a little more involved than when delivering a rental property. The house or apartment must be made ready for sale. So in addition to clearing the house, you may have to do some minor repairs to increase the value of the home. Also, of course, you need to arrange the selling process with a real estate agent.
Frequently asked questions about clearing a house after death
What does a house clearance after death cost?
What the exact cost of a house clearance after death will be depends on a number of factors. For example, the size of the house and the amount of belongings. Want to know more about the cost of a house clearance and the average cost per type of home? Then check out our article What does a house clearance cost?
As an heir, am I obligated to vacate the house?
In principle, yes. If you accept the inheritance, you must also vacate the property. This can be alone or together with the other heirs.
How long does it take to empty a house?
It depends on the size of the home and the amount of belongings. This can range from one day, to several weeks. If you want to be assured of a quick eviction, it is best to hire a professional. We specialize in emergency evictions and are happy to help.
What happens to the belongings in the home?
Once you have taken all the things out of the house that you want to own or sell, we will take the rest. Some of the stuff is disposed of and processed. But we often take usable items to thrift stores or give them a second life.
Help with house clearance after death
Would you like help with house clearance after death? We offer specialized services to support you in this regard. We are happy to help you during this difficult time by taking some work off your hands. For example, not only do we ensure that the house is completely emptied, but we can also do minor repairs, major cleaning, etc. Please contact us for a free quote.
