A house clearance is the emptying of a whole property of its contents, either by the family or by a firm that takes the furniture and belongings away to sell, donate, recycle or dispose of them. It often follows a death, a move into care, a downsize or the end of a tenancy.
How it usually goes
Set aside what the family wants to keep first, then let the firm clear the rest. In England, GOV.UK says that if you use a firm “you must check the company is on the register of waste carriers”, choosing “upper tier”, because if something that has been fly-tipped “is identified as yours” you could be prosecuted. Ask what happens to everything they take, and keep their registration number and invoice.
At Wigwam
Sometimes a house has to be cleared before the family is ready to decide. A storage unit gives those belongings a safe place, so the house can be sold or handed back on time while you take decisions at your own pace. We’ve also written about storage for house clearance firms. Every unit is individually alarmed, and our sites are covered by CCTV monitored around the clock by a professional monitoring company.
- Size. Our guides put a studio clearance at around 50 sq ft, and the contents of a standard three-bedroom house at roughly 150 to 200 sq ft. If you’re only storing what you’re undecided about, you may need much less. Our team can help you work it out.
- Cost. In October 2026 the middle price every four weeks was £133 for 50 sq ft, £310 for 150 sq ft and £360 for 200 sq ft. Prices vary by site, so get a price online for yours.
- Flexibility. A two-week minimum stay, then storage carries on until you give notice, normally 14 days.
- Collections. You can arrange for a buyer, a charity or a clearance firm to collect from your unit later, as long as you or someone you’ve given access to is there to let them in.
Before anything goes in, clear out food and anything flammable, and take rubbish away with you. Originals that can’t be replaced, such as deeds, a will or family keepsakes, are safest at home or with your solicitor.
Call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll help you plan it.
Related terms
Related questions
- Should I put things into storage before a house clearance?
- What should I keep when clearing a parent’s home?
- Who pays for storage while an estate is sorted out?
- How does a house clearance work?
Further reading
- GOV.UK: Dispose of household waste