A **house clearance in London** involves emptying a property of furniture and general waste while managing the legal disposal of whatever cannot be recycled or donated. It is highly sought after for end of tenancies, landlord voids, or probate situations.
Clearances are priced either by van load (from £175 for a quarter load to £595 for a full load) or by the hour. A typical three-bedroom clearance costs around £750 plus VAT in 2026. Avoid suspiciously cheap quotes; they often omit licensed disposal costs and lead to illegal dumping.
If you pass your items to an unlicensed carrier, you are still liable for fly-tipping under the household waste duty of care, facing fixed penalties between £150 and £600, or a £5,000 fine upon conviction. To prevent this, check the operator is an upper-tier waste carrier registered with the Environment Agency and request a waste transfer note.
Another key regulation involves upholstered seating (like sofas and armchairs), which may contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These items must be incinerated and cannot be mixed with other waste. Moreover, vehicle and parking fees (such as ULEZ and Congestion Charges) should also be budgeted separately.
Want to know more about handling heavily filled properties or how to manage bereavement clearances before probate is granted? [Check out our full practical guide on the blog](https://www.google.com/search?q=/blog/house-clearance-london) to understand the step-by-step process of a London house
