House Clearance Checklist

Use this checklist to plan a house clearance from the first decision to the final walk-through. It works for a family home, a rental property or a house being prepared for sale. Tick items off as you go (your ticks are saved on this device), print it, or save it as a PDF.

1. Before You Book

• Decide what the clearance covers: whole property, certain rooms, or the attic, garage and shed as well.
• Decide who is making the decisions, and who the clearance team should contact.
• Agree with everyone involved what is being kept, and what is not. If it is an estate, check with the solicitor first (see our guide to clearing before probate).
• Find and set aside documents, valuables, keys and anything sentimental.
• Take photos or a short video of every room, and of the attic, garage, shed, stairs and the front of the property.
• Note access: stairs, lift, parking, narrow hallways, a long carry to the van.
• Note any heavy or awkward items: wardrobes that do not come apart, pianos, safes, large appliances.
• Note any hazardous items: paint, chemicals, gas bottles, batteries, anything you are unsure about.

2. Choosing a Company

• Ask for the waste collection permit number and check it on the NWCPO permit search.
• Ask for proof of public liability insurance.
• Get a quote in writing, and ask what it includes (disposal, VAT, number of people, access assumptions).
• Ask what happens to your items, and whether anything can be donated or recycled.
• Ask what happens if the job turns out bigger or smaller than agreed.

Our guide to choosing a house clearance company has twelve questions to ask.

3. A Week Before

• Confirm the date, the time window and who is arranging access.
• Arrange parking close to the door. If the street is restricted or paid, ask about the council's arrangements early.
• If it is an apartment, tell the management company or landlord and ask about lift booking and any rules.
• Mark or move items to keep. Put them in one room, or label them clearly.
• Arrange donations with charities you want to use, and check what they accept.
• Sort electricals, batteries and hazardous items, and tell the team about them.
• Make sure keys, alarm codes and any padlock keys for the shed or garage are ready.

4. On the Day

• Be there, or have someone there, if you want to point out what is staying. Otherwise arrange access in advance.
• Walk through each room with the crew and confirm what is going.
• Point out anything fragile, anything to keep and any area you want left as it is.
• Check the attic, garage, shed and any outside storage are included.
• Check the property is left swept and tidy.
• Do a final walk-through before the crew leaves.

5. After the Clearance

• Check you have all the keys and nothing to keep has been removed.
• Take final meter readings if you are handing back or selling the property.
• Redirect the post if needed.
• Arrange any cleaning, repairs or painting that comes next.
• Keep the quote and any messages for your records.

Related Guides

• House clearance in Dublin and Leinster
• What drives clearance costs in Dublin
• Moving house clearance checklist
• Bereavement clearance checklist

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