Preparing for the visit
For an effective visit, all you need to do is give access to every space and know what you want to keep. We need to see the whole property, including the cellar, attic, garage, garden shed and any storage boxes or private cellars in a block of flats, because these are often what changes the volume.
A few details help us produce an accurate quote:
- which floor the home is on and whether there is a lift, with its rough dimensions;
- whether a truck can park outside, or how far away the nearest space is;
- the deadline you must meet: a sale, a check-out inspection, returning the keys to the landlord;
- any hazardous products, suspect materials such as asbestos, a safe or heavy appliances.
If you cannot come, an estimate from photos is often possible: an overview of each room, the inside of the cupboards and the outbuildings is enough in most cases.
What to set aside
Before the clearance, set aside everything you want to keep, or mark it clearly: we cannot guess the sentimental value of an object. The simplest way is to gather those things in one locked room or label them.
Think in particular about:
- identity documents, notarial deeds, contracts, bank statements, insurance and pension papers;
- photos, letters, albums and family keepsakes;
- jewellery, watches, cash and valuables;
- keys to the letterbox, cellar, garage or a bank safe-deposit box;
- computers, phones, hard drives and USB sticks, which may hold personal data.
During the job we stay alert: documents, photos or personal items found at the back of a drawer are set aside and returned to you, even if you thought everything had already been sorted.
Keys and absent owners
You do not need to be there on clearance day: everything is set up to work without you. This helps when heirs live in another region or abroad, or when the property is a seaside flat or a rental.
We agree together on how we get the keys: in person, via a neighbour, a notary, an estate agent or a building manager, or through a key safe. Before the clearance, you receive confirmation of the date; afterwards, photos of the empty, swept property and a list of the items set aside. The keys then go to the person you name, for example for the check-out inspection.
Parking the truck
In most Belgian municipalities, parking a truck outside a property requires permission, and we prepare that request for you. Depending on the location, it is a reserved parking space, a parking ban with signs or a temporary road-occupation permit.
In Brussels, the request goes to the municipality concerned; in Flanders, it is a parking ban (parkeerverbod) requested from the municipality; in Wallonia, a road-occupation permit issued by the town or municipality. Lead times vary from one municipality to another, which is why we file the request as soon as the date is set. In very narrow streets, pedestrian zones or historic centres, we adapt the vehicle or plan for longer carrying distances.
Getting the timing right
The safest approach is to contact us as soon as you know your deadline: a few weeks' margin lets you choose the ideal date. A visit can usually take place within 48 hours, and a full clearance usually takes 1 to 3 days depending on volume and access.
Some useful markers: for a sale, plan the clearance before the final viewings or at the latest before the deed is signed; at the end of a tenancy, before the check-out inspection, leaving time for cleaning; for an estate, once the heirs have agreed on who keeps what. The end of the month and the end of the academic year are busier: booking early gives you more choice. If it is urgent, call us on +32 485 39 99 41: we always look for a solution.