After the death of a loved one, the heirs often have to take care of a great many things in a very short amount of time. One of those matters is deciding what to do with the household belongings. In my work, I’ve noticed that this is one of the most difficult aspects for the bereaved. This is because a home is often left full of belongings that hold memories. That’s why it can be difficult to immediately decide what to do with all of these items.
Important: First, check how to accept the inheritance
Before you start distributing, selling, giving away, or disposing of items from the home, it is important to first determine how you wish to accept the inheritance. As an heir, you can accept an inheritance outright, accept it under the benefit of inventory, or renounce it. With a full acceptance, you also accept any debts, whereas with a conditional acceptance, you are generally not personally liable for any shortfall. If you renounce the inheritance, you completely disown the estate and are also not responsible for clearing out the home. Are there any debts, or are you still unsure exactly what the estate consists of? If so, it’s especially important not to simply distribute or sell the belongings. Heirs can, among other options, choose to accept the inheritance with benefit of inventory or to renounce it. Always consult your notary for more information on this.
If heirs renounce the inheritance, they are no longer responsible for clearing out the home. Not sure if you’re responsible for clearing out the home after a death? Then read our article: Clearing Out a Home After a Death: Who Is Responsible?
What counts as household goods?
When we talk about clearing out a home, by “household goods” we mainly mean the individual items inside and around the home. Examples include:
- Furniture
- Individual lamps
- Clothing
- Tableware
- Wall Decor
- Rugs
- Electronics
- Tools
- Etc.
We generally do not count fixed items, such as built-in cabinets, plumbing fixtures, or permanently installed flooring, as part of the movable household goods.
What to do with the personal belongings after a death
Distributing the personal property among the heirs
Often, the first step is to divide a portion of the household goods among the heirs. Personal items, in particular, are often given to family or friends. You can also divide up items in good condition that others can still use, such as furniture. It often saves a lot of work if a portion of the household goods can be divided this way.
Selling household goods after a death
Household goods often don’t have a very high resale value. Still, certain items can still be worth some money. Think, for example, of furniture, jewelry, art, collections, or designer items. You can choose to sell these items privately, but you can often also work out an arrangement with a home clearance service. In some cases, valuable items can be deducted from the total price.
Donating or Giving Away Household Goods
Items you can’t sell can sometimes still be donated or given away. Think of clothing, dishes, small pieces of furniture, books, etc. For example, you can go to a thrift store or a local charity. You can also offer items for free on sites like Marktplaats or Facebook Marketplace. Often, people will still come by to pick up a lot of things. That helps clear out some space!
Have Household Goods Picked Up or Hauled Away
After sorting, selling, and donating, there’s always some household items left over. Think, for example, of older or worn-out furniture, broken electronics, mattresses, carpeting, etc. You can take these items to the recycling center yourself, but you can also have the remaining household goods picked up by a house-clearing company.
The advantage of hiring a professional clearance service is that it saves a lot of time and effort. In my experience, the amount of work involved is often underestimated, because it’s not just a matter of removing furniture from the home—you also have to consider taking down light fixtures, removing flooring, making repairs, and so on. On top of that, the home still needs to be cleaned. If you hire a professional to clear out the home, you won’t have to worry about any of these things.
Things to Keep in Mind When Renting a Home
When renting a home, a landlord often has specific requirements regarding the condition of the property upon move-out. These may include, for example, removing:
- Flooring and Subfloors
- Curtains and curtain rods
- Screws, anchors, and nails
- Items from the shed, storage room, or yard
- Trash and leftover materials
Ask the landlord for a move-out checklist in advance and, if possible, schedule a pre-inspection. That way, you’ll know exactly what needs to be removed or repaired. This will help you avoid extra costs or delays when returning the keys. Want to learn more about this? Be sure to check out our blog post on handing over a rental property.
Help with Household Belongings After a Death
Clearing out a home after a death often takes a lot of time. Once you’ve sorted out which items you want to keep, donate, sell, or discard, my team and I can help you clear out the home. We’ll leave the home swept clean so you don’t have to worry about it anymore. We’re always happy to stop by for a no-obligation visit to assess the contents and discuss your needs with you. Afterward, you’ll receive a clear quote with a fixed price, so you’ll never face any surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take personal belongings right away after a death?
Please be careful with this. Taking, distributing, selling, or giving away items may affect how you accept the inheritance. If you haven’t yet decided whether to accept the inheritance outright, under the benefit of inventory, or to renounce it, leave the personal property undisturbed as much as possible and, if in doubt, consult a notary first.
What happens to the estate if I renounce the inheritance?
If you renounce the inheritance, you will no longer be entitled to the household goods. Therefore, you will no longer need to arrange for the house to be cleared out.
How do I know if household goods still have any value?
You can have an expert appraise someone’s household belongings. You can also compare furniture on sites like Marktplaats to see if any of it is still for sale. If you still have valuable items, their value may be partially offset against the cost of the house clearance.
How much does it cost to have a home cleared out?
The cost depends heavily on the amount of household goods. The potential resale value can also affect the price. After an on-site inspection, I can always agree on a fixed price with you.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on our own experience with home clearances and is intended as general information. We do not provide legal, notarial, or financial advice. If you are unsure about accepting, rejecting, or settling an inheritance, always consult a notary or other expert.
