Clearing the house after a death: when and how do you go about it?

TLDR: Only clear the house once it is clear how you are accepting the inheritance, because taking things can count as accepting unconditionally. Start with the rooms that hold the fewest memories, make an overview and agree on who gets what. Align the timing with the sale.

Clearing the house after a death means that the heirs sort, divide, give away or have collected the contents of the deceased's home, so the home can be sold empty.

The house of your father or mother is full of belongings and memories. Clearing it feels hard, and at the same time it has to happen before the home can be transferred to a buyer.

In this blog, you can read when it is best to start, what to watch out for and how to approach it in practice.

When do you start clearing?

Only start once it is clear how the heirs are accepting the inheritance. If you keep items from the estate for yourself, that can count as accepting unconditionally. You then also inherit all debts. Are you unsure whether there are debts? Then ask the notary for advice first. If you want to keep items as a memento, store them temporarily until the choice has been made.

Also align the timing with the sale. A sold home is usually handed over empty. What exactly applies is stated in the purchase agreement.

How do you go about it?

• Make an overview per room or per category. That way you do not lose anything and you avoid doing work twice.
• Start with the rooms that hold the fewest memories, such as the attic, the storage room or the garage. Save the living room and the bedrooms for later.
• Agree with the other heirs on who gets what. A storage unit can help to keep items until you have decided.
• Give items a second life through a second-hand shop or a charity.
• Keep important papers separate, such as bank statements, insurance policies and documents about the house.

Do it yourself or get help?

You can clear the house yourself, with family or friends. You can also hire a house clearance company. Such a company takes over the sorting, packing, removal and handover of the home. That saves work and gives more room to process the loss.

A combination is often the most pleasant: first sort through the personal belongings yourself, then have the rest collected.

Does the house have to be empty before it goes on sale?

No, that is not necessary. The home can already be for sale while there are still belongings in it. A tidy house does help buyers to form a picture. Discuss with your estate agent what suits your situation, and have the value of the home determined in advance.

When the home is sold, the purchase agreement records the condition in which the home will be handed over, and whether any items stay behind.

How does Hier Makelaars guide the sale?

In Nieuw-Vennep, we increasingly sit down with heirs in this situation. We guide the sale from valuation to transfer, and align the handover date with what is feasible for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take things before the inheritance has been settled?

Be careful. If you keep items from the estate for yourself, that can count as accepting unconditionally. It is better to store items temporarily until the choice has been made.

Who pays for clearing the house?

Clearing the house is part of settling the estate. Agree with the other heirs on how you divide the costs.

When does the house have to be empty?

Usually at the transfer to the buyer. What exactly applies is stated in the purchase agreement.

Can items stay in the house for the buyer?

Yes, if the buyer wants that. Record in the purchase agreement which items stay behind.

Would you like to know what selling your parents' house involves? Read more about selling with Hier Makelaars or get in touch with us. We take the time for your questions.