House Clearance in Sidcup: How It Works and What to Check

A house clearance means someone removes the contents of a property, and the waste, for you. In Sidcup that might follow a bereavement, a sale, a tenancy ending or a big declutter. The part people miss is that the waste stays your responsibility until it has been disposed of properly. This guide covers the checks GOV.UK says to make.

Do you need a clearance firm at all?

Not always. According to GOV.UK, if your council will not collect your waste you can take it to a recycling centre, use a permitted private waste site, or use a registered private business. For smaller jobs, Bexley Council runs a bulky item collection service for furniture, large appliances and DIY waste, booked and paid for in advance. Check the council page for current charges and what it will and will not take. Our Sidcup recycling centre guide covers the Foots Cray tip. A full clearance, or one with lots of items inside the house, is where a clearance firm earns its place.

Step 1: check the carrier is registered

GOV.UK says that if you use a private business to dispose of your waste, you must check the company is on the register of waste carriers. Use the Environment Agency's public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers and select the upper tier option. You can search by registration number or business name.

Step 2: ask for the details and keep a record

The government's waste duty of care code of practice sets out what reasonable checks look like. In practice, note the company name, registration number and vehicle details, and ask for a receipt or paperwork covering what was taken. Our suggestion: write these down on the day.

Step 3: be wary of anyone who cannot answer

A firm that will not give a registration number, only wants cash with nothing in writing, or cannot say where the waste goes is a risk to you, not just to the council.

Why it matters

GOV.UK says that if waste is illegally dumped and traced back to you, you might have to pay a fixed penalty notice to your local council, or face prosecution with higher penalties. Choosing a registered carrier is how you protect yourself.

Step 4: agree what is included

We have not given prices because the public sources above do not set clearance prices. Get a written quote, and confirm what is being taken, when, and what happens to items of value or items you want to keep. If there are documents, photographs or personal papers in the property, set them aside first.

Featured partner

Featured partner: Property Clear Up Ltd. Property Clear Up Ltd is a Sidcup-based clearance company and a paid featured partner of Sidcup.co. By its own statement it covers property clearances and waste removal across London and the South East, is available 24 hours a day, and holds the necessary waste disposal licences and insurances. We have not verified those statements, so use the register check above. Telephone 0208 301 5303 or see its Sidcup.co listing and feature article.