Your Job – Landlord Clearance

This page is for landlords and letting agents who have been quoted for a clearance. For a general description of the service, see our Landlord Clearance page, or our Landlords & Letting Agents page for how we work with agents.

A tight deadline is normal

Landlord clearances often work to a short window, because decorators, cleaners, repairs or an incoming tenant are already booked. Our job is one step in a chain, so when we start, how long we need and when the property is clear all affect the people after us. Tell us the dates that matter at the quote stage, and we plan the work around them.

A house or a flat

The property may be either, and the practical points are the same as for other clearances. Where they apply, we look at:

• Parking. Restrictions, permits and how close the van can get. See Your Job – House Clearance.
• Keys. Who holds them and how we collect and return them.
• Lifts and stairs. Lift size, load limits and whether a lift must be booked. See Your Job – Flat Clearance.
• Shared areas. Communal entrances, corridors and escape routes that have to be kept clear.
• Loading restrictions. Loading bays, working hours and any building rules.

What belongs to the property, and what we remove

Before work starts, we agree with the landlord or agent which items belong to the property and which are included for removal. Furniture, appliances, carpets, curtains and fittings can all be either, so if it is not clear, say so beforehand. Anything we are told is staying is left in place.

Belongings left by a tenant

If a tenant has left belongings behind, we ask the instructing party to confirm what we can remove before work starts. We act on the instruction we are given, so the landlord or agent needs to be sure of their position first. If there is any doubt about an item, such as paperwork, electronics or something that looks valuable, we set it aside and ask rather than guess.

Keys, access and people on site

• Keys and access. Agree who lets us in, when, and what happens if the key holder is not there.
• Tenants still present. If a tenant is still living there, or is moving out around the same time, tell us, and agree which rooms are in the job and when.
• Tradespeople on site. Decorators, cleaners and repair teams may be working in the property at the same time.

We agree when each area needs to be clear. That lets the crew work safely, without people crossing the loading route or getting in each other's way, and lets the other trades start in the areas we have finished.

What can disrupt a tight turnaround

• More contents than surveyed. Cupboards, lofts and sheds can hold more than the survey could see.
• Damaged furniture. Broken or wet items are heavier and harder to carry, and may need to be taken apart.
• Poor access. Narrow stairs, long carries or restricted parking slow every load.
• Contamination. Waste, soiling or hazards that need specialist handling. See our Biohazard Cleaning page.
• Rooms we could not inspect. A locked room or a space full to the door may only show its size once work begins.

If we find something that affects the plan, we tell the instructing party as soon as we can, so there is time to rearrange the trades that follow.

Clearing is not the same as cleaning

Clearing the property means removing the contents and taking them away. Cleaning or preparing the property for handover, such as a deep clean or making it ready for the next tenant, is separate. If you want it as part of the job, agree it with us at the quote stage. If it has not been agreed, the property is left cleared, not cleaned.

What to tell us beforehand

• Who instructs us, and who else is involved
• The dates that matter, including other trades and any incoming tenant
• What belongs to the property and what is to go
• Confirmation of what we can remove if a tenant has left belongings
• How we get keys and access, and whether anyone is still in the property
• Parking, lift and building rules where they apply
• Whether cleaning or preparation for handover is part of the job

Ready to go ahead?

Arrange a free survey or call us on 0151 733 3355. You can also go back to Your Job to see the other services.