Clearing the Estate's Home – Timeline, Rights and Practical Tips
· 4 min read
When must the home be cleared?
Clearing the estate's home is one of the most emotionally demanding practical tasks after a loved one's death. The timeline depends on the type of housing tenure.
Rental apartment
Under the Housing Lease Act, the estate's notice period for a rental apartment is no more than one month regardless of the terms of the lease agreement. This means:
- The termination must be submitted to the landlord in writing
- The notice period begins on the last day of the month following the termination notice
- Additional time can often be negotiated with the landlord
Owner-occupied home
An owner-occupied home can be cleared at the shareholders' schedule. There is no rush, but keep in mind:
- Housing charges continue to accrue -- it is advisable to carry out the clearance within a reasonable timeframe
- For selling the apartment, clearance must be done
- It is advisable to keep home insurance in effect during the clearance
Do not clear before the estate inventory
The value of personal property must be determined for the estate inventory. At least make a rough estimate and photograph valuable items before clearance.
Who decides about the belongings?
All estate shareholders decide about the estate's property together. This also applies to items that may seem mundane.
Basic rules
- An individual shareholder may not take belongings without the consent of others
- A will may contain directions about specific items
- If shareholders cannot agree, an estate administrator makes the decision
- Valuable items (art, jewellery, antiques) are listed separately in the estate inventory deed
Items of sentimental value
Dividing belongings often evokes emotions. Remember:
- Discuss your wishes openly
- Valuables can be divided by drawing lots
- Compromises are often better than disputes
- Photographs can be digitised so that everyone gets their own copy
Clearance steps
1. Initial survey
- Visit the apartment together with the shareholders
- Photograph the apartment and valuable items
- Check safe deposit boxes, safes, and hiding places
- List valuable items for the estate inventory
2. Collecting documents
Important documents are often found in the apartment:
- Will, insurance documents, banking papers
- Tax decisions and contracts
- Identity documents and passports
- Photographs and family documents
Collect all documents and deliver them to the estate administrator.
3. Sorting
Sort belongings into four groups:
- To keep -- items wanted by shareholders and memorabilia
- To donate -- items in good condition for charity
- To sell -- valuables, antiques, functioning appliances
- To dispose of -- broken and unusable items
4. Cleaning and returning keys
- Basic cleaning is sufficient in a rental apartment under normal circumstances
- Return keys to the landlord or housing company
- Conduct a move-out inspection with the landlord
- Notify the electricity and water companies of contract termination
Donating, selling, and disposing
Donation destinations
- Kontti recycling stores (Finnish Red Cross) -- clothing, furniture, appliances
- UFF -- clothing and shoes
- Salvation Army -- a wide range of household items
- Local flea markets -- smaller items
- Libraries -- books and records
Sales channels
- Tori.fi and Facebook Marketplace -- individual items
- Huutokaupat.com -- antiques and valuables
- Estate sale -- selling the entire contents at once
- Antique shops -- valuable furniture and art
Disposal
- Municipal waste stations accept large items
- Electrical and electronic waste goes to WEEE collection
- Hazardous waste (paints, chemicals) goes to separate collection
Professional clearance service
If you do not have the time or energy, a professional clearance service handles everything for you.
Service content
- Sorting and packing belongings
- Directing recyclable items to beneficial use
- Transportation and disposal
- Final cleaning of the apartment
Price
- Studio apartment: 500--1,000 euros
- One-bedroom apartment: 1,000--2,000 euros
- Larger apartment: 2,000--3,000 euros
- The price is affected by the amount of belongings, location, and floor
Request quotes from several companies and check whether landfill fees are included in the price.
Read more about the estate administrator's duties and estate inventory documents.
Frequently asked questions
When must the home be cleared?
For a rental apartment, the notice period is no more than one month. For an owner-occupied home, you can proceed at your own pace.
Who decides about the belongings?
All estate shareholders together. An individual shareholder may not take belongings without the permission of others.
Do the belongings need to be valued?
Yes. The value of personal property is needed for the estate inventory. Valuable items should be valued by a professional.
How much does a clearance service cost?
Typically 500--3,000 euros depending on the size of the apartment.
Frequently asked questions
When must the estate's home be cleared?
An owner-occupied home can be cleared at the shareholders' schedule – there is no rush. For a rental apartment, the estate's notice period is no more than one month under the Housing Lease Act. In practice, additional time can often be negotiated with the landlord. The clearance should be done after the estate inventory, when the value of personal property has been recorded.
Who decides about distributing the belongings?
The estate shareholders decide together. An individual shareholder may not take belongings without the consent of others. If disagreements arise among shareholders, an estate administrator can make the decision. A will may contain directions about specific items.
Do the belongings need to be valued before clearance?
Yes. The value of the estate's personal property must be assessed for the estate inventory. Valuable items such as art, antiques, and jewellery should be valued by a professional. Ordinary household goods can be estimated as a lump sum. The valuation does not need to be done for each individual item.
Can belongings be donated to charity?
Yes, but only when all shareholders agree. Donation destinations include Kontti recycling stores (Finnish Red Cross), UFF, the Salvation Army, and local flea markets. It is worth requesting a receipt for donations – it may be tax-deductible if it is a significant donation.
How much does a professional clearance service cost?
A professional home clearance service typically costs 500–3,000 euros depending on the size of the apartment and the amount of belongings. The price usually includes sorting, transporting, and disposing of items. Request quotes from several companies and check whether landfill fees are included in the price.
Read also
Key duties of the estate administrator: estate management, documents, estate inventory, and inheritance distribution. Who can serve as estate administrator?
What documents are needed for an estate inventory? A comprehensive list: family records, civil registry certificates, will, bank statements, and property documents.
The estate inventory must be conducted within three months of the deceased's death. Learn about calculating the deadline, consequences, and requesting an extension.