What to do with house contents you don't want?

squirrelchops

Hi all,

I have inherited a house....well 1/2 was mine anyway but the rest has come to me due to various reasons....too long to explain.

Anyway it is still full of its contents......the house was owned by my Uncle who was aged when he died so everything in it is old but there are some good bits of furniture eg desks/tables.

However, I don't want any of it in my home.

Before anyone starts on at me for 'being ungrateful' or the like of being nasty because I have been given 'something for nothing' for example as I have seen happen on these boards I would like to explain my feelings about this.

Basically this horrid man abused me as a child and I could not bear to have any reminder of him in my safe place of home. I didn't even want the house but there are many reasons why it made sense for me to.

Anyway....I don't have a problem gaining financially from this though but wondered what is the best thing to do?

I was thinking of offering bits to my family if they wanted it, then selling some bits and offering rest to charity.

What is the best way of selling this stuff off though as I want it to be clean and simple. An auction or house clearance type thing?

Any advice gratefully received.

elise83_2

Contact the British Heart Foundation as they will come and collect to sell on behalf of charity (albeit you might want to check if they charge a small fee for this). At least that way you'll be helping others and have a clear house.

gratefulforhelp_2

I have done similar, ring your local saleroom/auction house. This will be quick and easy. They will take a percentage, but they will come and give you ballpark sums for items they think they can sell - you will be surprised what they will take.

Caution, though, if you have a friend with an interest in furniture/antiques, I would get them to cast their eye first, just in case anything is very very valuable.

squirrelchops

Thank you both. Both great advice and much appreciated.

clutton_2

sue ryder shops will come and collect for free also

googler

Down my way, there's charities that will take almost any household item - fiurniture, small appliances, utensils, cleaning products, linens etc

All of which are used as 'starter packs' for, possibly, abused family members who are being rehoused by the council, maybe with the involvement of other charities.

I'm sure you have something similar in your area if you google or look hard enough under 'charities' or 'furniture initiatives' in yellow pages or yell.com.

I'm sure someone somewhere would thank you for your kind donation of free furniture, etc, much more so than someone buying one of the pieces through a local saleroom.

Think of all the good karma that will come to you through giving.

BandJB

For any bits that aren't saleable, check if the local authority has a furniture recycling scheme and/or join Freegle/Freecycle and offer them there. They will collect and, hopefully, the stuff will continue to have a useful life rather than just go into landfill.

googler

I'm clearing my Mum's house at the moment; clothes went to the local Oxfam high-street shop, bedding to the appropriate recycling point, some furniture went on gumtree, the rest was uplifted by the charity folks.

Toaster, kettle, knives, forks, cups, saucers, kitchen utensils, contents of kitchen and bathroom cabinets (cleaning products, shower gels, soaps, etc) all went to the charities, who were happy to take them....

G_M

The tricky bit is knowing if there is a 'hidden gem' amongst the belongings. A genuine antique or something of real value. So it's worth going through it all, or getting someone else to (auction house?) even if you are going to get a charity round to clear it later.

squirrelchops

I agree definitely with the charity route...but you must also understand that this isn't your 'normal' house contents!!!! No nice 3 piece suite 10 years old or mod cons like iron/microwave etc or half decent bed frames. It is thinks like roll top desks and old in need of upholstering chaise longue and wood burning stove etc etc. I shouldn't think there are any appliances under 15 years old in there.

Fire_Fox

Doesn't matter how old the appliances are, some branches of British Heart Foundation have a 'tame' PAT dude who will test for safety and they can sell on. My parents donated a twelve year old oven which I later saw for sale. Antique furniture definitely needs an auctioneer to visit as charity shops won't even take non-fire retardant soft furnishings! You can always donate the profits to a childrens charity if you feel uncomfortable?