HarrisonFamily Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Hi My Aunt died last week and my sister and I know have the task of house clearance and sale, as you might remember from previous posts my aunt had alzheimers and we never really knew her when younger and only after my mum died did we start caring for her. My sister would like to get a skip and just bin most stuff, I would like to get as much as possible to charity....a local house clearance says they recycle most things and work along side charity shops...The house is not that close and everything would need to be collected\removed in as few days as possible. Also my Aunt travelled alot and there are about 20 albums full of her travels and idea if anywhere would like old photos - no one in the family wants them as we have no idea who the people are in them.... The house in questions is Rainham in Kent, Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 I have a friend who used a house clearance for her father-in-law's flat. She said he was great and didn't just chuck everything into landfill (although I suppose you'd have to take that on trust). Made her life a whole lot easier. I'd be interested to hear if you do use one - I'll be having to do a house clearance sometime in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 If she has anything of value, especially old furniture, it might be worth getting an auction house to look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 I feel for you - I am clearng dads loft for him (thankless task) and we have taken most stuff to dump and some bits to chartiy shops. Most of the stuff was useless tatt - again lots of photos and all my school books. Sadly no family jewels or antiques. When we had to do FIL's loft we got a guy purely by chance as we were desparate. He was brillaint and bought anything he thought might be of use or value in for us to look over. I got a lovely bowl I keep fruit in and several nice plates for on the wall. We were desparate and saw his van at the petrol station - I jotted down number and rang him as OH who had steam coming out his ears because his brother had done nothing (and was supposed to) was at the end of his tether. Good luck and hope you get it sorted with not too much stress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 If she has anything of value, especially old furniture, it might be worth getting an auction house to look at it. I agree - we recently helped clear a house for an old lady in our street when she moved into a nursing home (her family lives too far away to do it). We asked the family to take (by an agreed date) anything they wanted to keep, from the rest, we ebayed what we thought might be able to raise money for her, and the rest either went to the charity shop for a local hospice (they deal in bigger items too) or on Freegle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 You need to be sure that you've done your bit as far as having the contents valued for Inheritance Tax and Probate purposes is concerned ... if you're SURE that there is nothing of significant value and that you plan to donate it all/mostly to charity, you can say that on your inheritance tax forms and not worry too much about it. (For this purpose, you need the sale value of the items -what you'd get if you sold them now, as they are - usually MUCH lower than the insurance value, which is what it would cost to replace them) If there's any jewelery, I'd take it along to a jeweler to be valued, just in case. House clearance people can be quite "canny", I've had problems in the past with a house clearer who has cherry picked - in other words, taken the relatively good stuff to sell, binned the rest (which is fine) but left some rather unpleasant things. If you get a house clearer - you need to be sure about what you want them to do and make sure you don't get someone who is just going to cherry pick. Not sure who Aunt's Executors are (if she made a Will) - just make sure if it's anyone other than you, you don't do anything without their authority! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted May 1, 2014 Author Share Posted May 1, 2014 My sister and I are the executors, there is no jewellery and not enough value for inheritance tax....just lots of personal stuff... She did leave a will as there are 2 people on it, whom we have absolutely no idea who they are.... It just so depressing....it just feels like packaging up a whole life and throwing it in the bin.....from the photos my Aunt must had some interesting tales..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt, and really sympathise with your predicament. I've had the experience of trying to clear my parents' house. You want to go through everything in case there's something of value (and I mean emotional, not financial) but the reality is you just don't have time. I think the biggest issue is accepting the emotional wrench, and that you're just not going to be able to do it in the careful way that you'd like to. We used a house clearance firm - it's best not to ask what they will do with it, but obviously they'll want to get any value from it that they can. There a point when you just have to walk away and throwing out your aunt's possessions doesn't mean that you don't respect and love her. It made me realise that one day, someone will have to do this for me and that maybe I shouldn't keep quite so much stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 It is depressing - my dad is still alive but I was worried about him getting upset but hes been surprisingly happy about it. Much of the stuff isnt mums - a friend would give her bits and bobs and mum would stuff it in the loft! Dad said anything of value or whatever you wants take and sell and give to his grandsons. All I've had is some towels, a big jug of my grans and some T towels. I would love to find something of value as I could do with some extra dosh but would only sell if dad was happy. Do jewellers value stuff and how many would buy it - does anyone know? I have some jewellery of mums I would never wear and I worry about it being in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Such a sad task for you both but well done for 'manning up to it' In your shoes I'd follow advice already given and get the local auctioneers to have a walk round - they might pickup on something that you thought was just 'junk'' you never know!!!! Why not have a house sale day with the remainder - then you have time to put together ideas on prices for specific items etc. Otherwise there are charities that will take things like working 'fridges, hoovers etc and useable items of furniture to pass on. I think they also take things like blankets, towels etc in good condition to give to those moving into their own local authority accom - or similar. Helen and Douglas House (local hospice but just to give an example) have a shop for bigger items. Although this option will prob mean a few more 'phone calls you may feel that its worth the extra effort to 'rehome' things! Good luck - and so well done for doing your best under difficult circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Please dont just let a clearance company go in - as others have said they will cherry pick and may leave you with what they dont want. Also some of the charities wont take certain items of furniture unless the have the fire certificate label on them. I have had to clear 3 houses in the last few years and whilst it is horrible to do it is worth sorting things into rubbish, things to keep and things to sell or give to charity. I know the Salvation Army will take most things even old clothes as if the clothes arent able to be sold they can sell them for rags and get something back that way. Just remember that unless you are into antiques and collectables you might dismiss something that is worth money. Retro is very fashionable these days too and people will pay for it. Even if you dont want the money for yourselves it woud be nice to be able to donate it to a good cause, in your relatives name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted May 2, 2014 Author Share Posted May 2, 2014 Thank you for the help and kind words.... We are trying to get as much to charity as possible...and bits and pieces are slowly being taken.... Thanks again Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louise womble Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 I take stuff to Scope in Rainham Shopping centre! They take furniture too! Failing that - there are a couple of house clearance places in Gillingham! I helped to sort out an old ladies house who died last year! Her mother was one of 4 sisters, who each had one child, none of which had children - so it's the end of the line! The 4 sisters were the daughters of shop keepers in Gillingham Kent and worked in the family businesses. They each inherited property as young girls from their father. Her father was a naval man who was mentioned in dispatches in the raid on Zebrugge. He was later award the DSM for saving drowning submariners from the sea during that raid. He later took part in the bombardment of the Dardanelles and I have his ships official log, along with a few of his possessions and tons of photos! This was all going in a skip and although she was not family - I could not let it go! It will send me on a voyage of discovery when I have the time to devote to it properly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
