Tips on How to Safely Clear a House in London: Identifying What Can and Cannot be Legally Disposed of

Moving home, whether you’re relocating to another country or just shifting down the road, can be a stressful process. You not only have to worry about packing up your home and physically moving your possessions, but also ensuring that everything is removed from the house in a legal and responsible manner.

The UK has strict regulations when it comes to waste disposal, so if you don’t know what you can and cannot throw away, you could face hefty fines. To help you make sure everything goes to its right place, here are some top tips on how to safely clear a house when you’re preparing to leave London.

Assess the Situation

The first step in clearing a house is to assess what you have on hand. While most of us try to minimise our belongings, you’d be surprised how much stuff accumulates over time, (especially if you’ve been in your home for a while!) Make sure you take the time to go through each room and categorise what needs to stay, what can be recycled and what can be thrown away.

Discover Your Disposal Options

Once you’ve taken the necessary inventory of your possessions, you need to look into where different items can be properly disposed of. The simplest items, such as glass jars, paper, cans and plastic containers, can be disposed of in your recycling bin.

However, some items require more specialised disposal. This may include hazardous materials, such as car batteries, electronics, aerosols and chemicals. Depending on the local regulations in your area, there may be specific hazardous waste sites where you can drop off these items or you may need to hire a professional removal service to take care of them.

Know Where to Donate

Thanks to the huge number of charities in London, you have plenty of practical options for disposing of your old items. In other words, regardless of the condition your unused items are in, you can donate them to a variety of charities and help someone in need.

To make the most of your donation, research any local charities that offer to collect items and furniture on behalf of donors. These services can be a great time-saver when you’re trying to leave a home quickly, as a charity will often schedule a pickup at a time that works best for you.

Rent a Skip Bin

For larger items, including furniture and appliances, you may have to resort to renting a large skip bin. Depending on the size of your individual property and the volume of items, you may require more than one skip.

Ensure you’re always adhering to local regulations when selecting the size, type and location of the skip bin as well as the weight and types of other materials that can be placed in there. A professional skip hire service, such as We Clear Everything, can give you an accurate estimate of what’s allowed and talk you through the best disposal solution for your individual situation.

Reconsider Reselling

Though you may be ready to get rid of some items, some pieces of furniture, electronics and even artwork may still be in perfect condition and may fetch a good price if you can find the right buyer. Spend some time researching the value of your items to see if they’re worth selling through online market places or local classifieds.

Conclusion

By taking the necessary time to assess your items, access disposal options, donate what you have and consider selling some pieces, you can make sure your home is cleared in a responsible and legal manner.

To get started, get in touch with local hazardous waste disposal sites, charities and skip hire services to ensure everything leaves your home in a safe and efficient manner. Good luck!