To be dreading clearing elderly relatives flat

Good luck!

You'll get to know them and understand them as you never have. It will be sad, but possibly fascinating.

Sorry OP, what a task to be given!

I would bring a really practical, pragmatic, level headed friend with you so that if you're finding it overwhelming or frustrating they can take charge a bit.

I've been both that friend and the person who needed that friend and it definitely helps when doing something you dread as you can sort of relieve yourself of that feeling of total responsibility!

There are companies that will shred documents for you rather than you having to do it yourself would it be possible to just look for documents and then get a house clearance company for the rest?

Depending on the scale of the hoard, you might need a good deal more time and help than you've penciled in.

I'd do a recce first to gauge whether you'll need a house/hoard clearance crew, a skip, protective gear, respirator masks, etc.

Yup

If they did not keep good records, you're left hunting in the dark

If you have probate or power of attorney documents, you might try

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/debt-savings/how-to-trace-lost-money/

I would recommend a house clearance if at all possible. I know its a cost but if you can manage it or there is money in the estate it's worth it. Put all paperwork in one place and then go through it on a different day.

So basically if someone dies, is this how you learn which bank had their bank account ?

Been there. Sympathies! Yes to:

• take a friend with a sense of humour, and music
• take loads of gloves including at least 1 thick pair in case of sharps (wear thick soled shoes for the same reason)
• take a torch for shining into cupboards / under beds before you have to reach in
• wear overalls and strip them off and bag them before you get back into your car (don’t forget to cover your hair)
• if you can, take piles outside to sort. We found important letters shoved inside old newspapers etc - I expect we still missed stuff, but we did the best we could. Double-bag and tie everything you take and accept that it will still smell - if you have a garage or shed back at yours, keep the bags there while you go through them.
• get what you need, and leave. You can sort out cleaners afterwards.

Costco bin bags are (or were last time I got some) really thick.

I really liked the Swedish Death book, it's a lovely read and I found it comforting. Gave it to my elderly mum too and she liked it.

Good luck. I was told to put vick near my nose in particularly bad houses when doing some first responder training.

House clearance companies cost money though and if the house isn't owned and there are no assets someone is left with a large bill.

My Mum has stuck everything needed in a metal box under the bed, so she says, I bet there's something important just pushed in with all the junk paper in the bureau.

I have a relative who lives near me whose house is filthy - if you put something through the letterbox, the smell coming out is horrendous. There is a good chance that I will be the only one locally left when she dies and I was just saying to someone this morning that I am dreading it, because I know the house will be disgusting. I also think she is highly unlikely to have any assets to pay for anything so not sure what will happen about costs. Its a nightmare.

I am doing this with my parents
Leave with a boot full each time - sold-out £3k worth on Vinted/ebay etc so far. No rush- all nice and easy.

Take someone with you. Both my mum and dad went to clear my grandmother's house after she died, and the mutual support they were able to give each other was important.

My sympathies with you at this time.
When my mum cleaned out my aunts house, she bought a suit like a hazmat/decorating suit from amazon, gloves, masks and rubble bags. Also took a kettle, refreshments, biscuits, cups and teaspoons etc.
My aunt was a hoarder and also suffered with vascular dementia so there was basically stuff everywhere and no 'system' of putting things away. An example of this was anything kitchen related went into the living room, the kitchen was closed off and the bedroom had a pathway to the bed and not much wiggle room.
Mum did a room at a time, anything that couldn't be salvaged was binned, clothes were sorted into donate or bin, same with crockery etc, anything of importance was put into boxes to be sorted at mums house.
Get yourself a cleaner for when it's fairly accessible, take a friend, open the windows and if you are on social media, put a post out on the local facebook hub of the area that can offer recommendations of a house clearance company.
Good luck and take your time.

It's such a dreadful task to do especially if your relative is a bit of a hoarder. At B&Q they sell full face masks with air flo. I'd go with that. Thick rubber gloves that go up your arm. Strong air freshener you can plug in and a spray about Oust too. Lots of really thick black sacks.

Take hot drinks, layers, a mate and rubble bags

Good luck 🤞🏻

What is/are the documents? I'd imagine that most stuff can be recreated by certified copy e.g. land registry, bank statements, investments, birth/marriage certs and so on. If it's the will, well yes you might need to find that, but could it be with a local solicitor?

It is an awful task, hoarder or not. I think you really have to be hard hearted and ruthless. Keep some sentimental items and obviously the valuable ones. Dump the rest.

Don't take bin bags. They're too flimsy these days.

Take as many rubble sacks as you think feasible, then double that number

Take zip ties to seal them up

My mil stuck a copy of her will and her solicitor's details on her notice board. Such a great idea!

I'd literally look for the documents then get house clearance specialists in. Are you the next of kin, presumably? And is the flat rented or owned? It sounds like it's going to be tough going, get a boilersuit/coveralls and lots of tough gloves.

Sorry you have to do this! Wear old clothes, mask, gloves. Take the hoover in case dust is bad. Open the windows. Put the radio on with cheery music. Find that friend or family member of yours who enjoys decluttering - lots of people enjoy this kind of task!

Focus on finding anything valuable, legally important, or sentimental. Take a music machine. If you can, better still, take a friend or family member you trust.

Papers are the big problem. Easiest if possible is to cart anything that looks like it might be important (NOT everything, just what a quick glance suggests) home and sort it there in less upsetting location!

I’m a bit of a hoarder. I like the idea of Swedish death cleaning. I don’t want people rooting through my things too much so I’d like to minimise the need for it as much as possible.