Renting from council, house clearance after death?

elsien

I’m surprised that you’ve had two months already to sort it out. How is the rent currently being paid?

Jude57

Another vote for getting quotes from a house clearance company but I'd caution you to make sure you get a written quote, not an estimate and that they have visited the property to see exactly what they will be dealing with. Also ensure that they have the appropriate waste carrying licence and aren't just 'man with a van'.

I was responsible for organising the clearance of a 2 bedroom, 2nd floor flat a few years ago and I employed a well known local house clearance company. They gave me an estimate based on what I told them over the phone and were very confident that they didn't need to view it beforehand and would be able to shift everything in one van load. On the day, there were 4 men working and I have to say, they were brilliant, amazingly fast and all was going well until early afternoon when they'd cleared about two thirds of the stuff. Then they said that their van was at full capacity and they'd have to get another van to come to finish the job which would cost extra. I really had no choice at that point but to agree. The issue wasn't the volume of stuff, it was the weight because their vans have to go on a weighbridge at the official dump site and they are charged a fee based on that weight. I'd told them on the phone that a good proportion of what needed clearing was books which of course are heavy but because I hadn't insisted they visit first, they hadn't quoted for the thousands of books in weight. It's a mistake that cost me dearly, so it's something to be aware of. And if you want floor coverings and carpets removing, make sure that's included in the quote. The Council will probably insist on the removal of those because, not to put too fine a point on it, they can't be certain of how clean or free from infestation a carpet is - plus, the new tenants will likely want to choose their own flooring.

One thing that the firm I used also offered was a deep cleaning service. Two women turned up at lunchtime and as a room was cleared, they set to, cleaning down walls, woodwork, windows and floors so that when the property was handed back to the Housing Association, it was immaculate.

Don't worry about accessibility, that's something house clearance firms can figure out, but if parking is by permit only, contact the Council's parking team to get a temporary pass for the day of the clearance. Mine offers them free for one-off parking and charges a small fee for longer but still temporary passes.

KxMx

Flooring is a good point, generally they only install & maintain kitchen + bathroom flooring for safety/reasons. Everywhere else will need to be removed unless by prior agreement.

I didn't use a cleaner for either of the two social housing properties I oversaw. Would have been pointless for both.

My Nan's needed extensive renovations (new kitchen, mould treatment, full re wire etc) before reletting. In those circumstances the floors were all left in place by agreement.

When Mum moved into hers a hallway & living room floor was in place as the Council were happy for the previous tenants family to leave in situ. As they were when it was my turn. The bedroom carpet was taken out by the clearance company.

Her landlord (local Council) employ a cleaning company to go in after renovations/repairs once a property is ready to be re let.

born_again

I can't understand the council, they are usually in a hurry to get properties back.

Seems some are better than others local OAP bungalow empty for 2 years (another one resident just died, so will see how long this one is empty for). 3bed house backing onto a park been empty for 3 years after person died, over 2 years since they reroofed & did a lot of internal work..

KxMx

My Nan's HA bungalow was vacant for ages, far longer than the extensive renovations would have taken. They still wanted it back no later than the standard notice period of 4 weeks.

Ms_Chocaholic

What's left in there. Can you take photos and offer things for free on FB

NeverTooLate

Then, I'd do as suggested and go to the council offices in person and ask for the department concerned particularly if the estate can't pay for the clearance.

That's assuming the council actually allow the public into their offices, ours don't anymore, all communication has to be done online, by post or on the phnoe.

GDB2222

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82135392#Comment_82135392

That works okay if you live close by. But lots of people on FB make appointments but then don’t turn up.

I don’t understand why the OP expects the council to give a date for the tenancy to end. Surely, that’s up to the family to do? If there’s no money in the estate, then I’d just hand the keys in and tell the council that they can clear everything in the property. If there is money, then it would probably be worth getting a private clearance company in. At the moment, rent is clocking up, which helps nobody.

Pollycat

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82135763#Comment_82135763

Slightly different scenario but my Mum went into permanent care from a senior person bungalow.

The council gave us 1 week to empty the place.

I'm gobsmacked at the accounts of councils leaving properties empty when there is such a demand for social housing.

otb666

We used British Heart foundation cost £1500 they had several lorry loads to clear a 3 bedroom. They came and quoted first had to wait several weeks for a slot but a lot cheaper than other clearance companies one auction house quoted £5000