Losing a loved one is, of course, an extremely stressful and emotive time for both families and friends alike. Whether expected or sudden, bereavements have massive implications for everyone. Aside from the funeral itself, of course, there are all manner of legalities to deal with and this certainly does nothing to help aid the bereavement period.
In this article we look at just one important aspect of the bereavement process – and that’s dealing with the deceased’s home in the most effective way possible.
How quickly should we clear the deceased’s home?
This can often be a very difficult decision to make and it may well be that different family members, or friends, have very separate views on it. Some might want such matters dealing with almost straight away whilst others will naturally struggle with the idea of getting things sorted.
It’s never easy going back to the deceased’s home once they’re no longer there to greet you but of course, certain things need to be taken care of as quickly as possible – for example, the possible disconnection of utilities, security (such as changing the locks), the removal of valuable items from the property and the location of important documentation (such as any Will, life insurance policies and so on). In reality, all these type of issues need to be done at the soonest opportunity.
If the property’s owned outright then there may be some flexibility in terms of removal time but if there’s still a mortgage to pay – or the property’s rented – it’s likely you’ll need to clear the property as quickly as possible in order to avoid ongoing mortgage or rent repayments (and especially if there might not be much equity). You should also notify any lender or landlord about the death as soon as possible.
What’s the best way to organise clearance?
Most families prefer to enlist a professional company to assist with clearance and there are certainly a number of key advantages for doing so:
- The property can be properly deep cleaned without the bereaved family and/or friends having to get involved during what will already be a stressful period of time for them. It may also be, of course, that it simply isn’t practical for this to be done by the family; especially if people have already taken time off work through any period of sickness, or to make funeral arrangements and so on.
- Where relevant, arrangements can also be made for any items to be formally valued (thus ensuring full compliance with relevant inheritance tax regulations).
- They property can be made suitable for sale or rental; thereby reducing monthly outgoings as quickly as possible.
- If necessary, waste management solutions, such as skip hire, can also be put into place and/or trips to the local tip with relevant licenses in place.
Prior to enlisting professional clearance services such as these it is, of course, important that the deceased’s family have already decided which possessions they’d like to keep, which might need valuing and which can be disposed of directly fro the property. Thereafter, the cleaning team can get to work and ensure that everything is properly taken care of – for example:
- Any electrical items (including white goods, garden equipment, televisions and so on) are taken to an appropriate WEEE recycling facility;
- Any cardboard (such as boxes) are properly recycled (either using the property’s own wheelie bin or at a local recycling facility);
- Any medication is passed over to a local pharmacist for appropriate disposal;
- Any batteries are taken to the local waste facility for recycling;
- Any car batteries are taken to a hazardous waste centre.
Whenever you decide is the ‘right’ time for you and your family to clear your loved one’s home, it’s crucial to get a supportive and professional team to help. Remember, with circumstances such as these there’s never a ‘one size fits all’ solution and for that reason, you should ensure your chosen team aren’t either.