Direct answer
Clearing a single care home room or small sheltered housing flat in London typically costs about £180 to £350, and is often needed within 24 to 48 hours. That is an indicative range, not a fixed rate card: our prices page publishes the flat ranges, and a licensed carrier quotes the real price for your room, access and deadline.
What care home and sheltered housing clearance costs in London
Usually a single room, so a smaller job with tighter timing.
Clearing a care home room or a sheltered housing flat is normally a smaller job than a family house, because the resident has moved into a single room or a one-bedroom or studio flat. The cost is driven by the volume of belongings, how easy access is and how quickly the room has to be emptied. The ranges below are indicative for London.
| Job | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single care home room or small studio | £180 – £350 | Often needed within 24 to 48 hours of notice |
| Sheltered housing one-bedroom flat | Closer to the one-bedroom flat range on /prices/ (£240 – £420) | Depends on volume and whether a lift is available |
| Studio flat (from /prices/) | £150 – £280 | Light furniture and personal items |
These are indicative planning figures, not a rate card. Our prices page publishes the flat ranges, and the price you pay is the quote from a licensed carrier for your actual room, access and timing. If the room is full or the timescale is very short, expect the quote to reflect that.
Why timing is usually the hard part
Notice periods and quick turnarounds.
Care homes and sheltered housing schemes usually need a room or flat back quickly, and the time allowed depends on your contract or tenancy agreement. After a death or a move, the home or landlord may ask for the room to be emptied within days, and charges can continue until it is. Read the contract or tenancy agreement, ask the manager how long you have and whether a short extension is possible.
Short notice often means booking a carrier quickly. If you need collection within a day or two, say so when you post, because a rushed clearance can cost more. Our same-day and urgent clearance cost guide explains how timing affects the quote.
What to sort before the clearance
Personal items, valuables and equipment that is not yours.
- Valuables and papers. Check pockets, drawers, handbags and bedside tables for jewellery, cash, documents, keys and photographs before anything is removed. Our hidden valuables and documents guide explains where things hide.
- Medication and medical items. Return unused medicines to a pharmacy. Do not put them in a general collection.
- Borrowed equipment. Hoists, specialist beds, wheelchairs and similar equipment may belong to the home, the NHS or the council. Ask who owns it and who collects it before you assume it is part of the clearance.
- Furniture and belongings to keep, donate or dispose of. Decide with the family first. Usable furniture can often be passed on, and our furniture donation guide explains the options.
If you are the executor or acting for the resident, check your legal position before disposing of anything. See our executor responsibilities guide and the probate chattel valuation guide. Our guide to the emotional side of clearing a parent's home may help, too.
Access, parking and working with the home
Small rooms, shared corridors and house rules.
Care homes and sheltered schemes have shared corridors, lifts, residents and staff routines, so a carrier needs to plan access. Tell them which floor the room is on, whether a lift can carry large items, where a vehicle can park and whether there are time windows when deliveries and collections are allowed. Ask the manager if there is a preferred day or route, and whether a key or fob is needed.
Because the room is small and shared areas must stay clear and safe, a clean, quick and quiet visit matters. Carriers should be fully licensed and ready to explain what they will do with the items. Our guide to choosing a licensed clearance company and the waste carrier licence page explain what to check.
How the process works, start to finish
Three steps from description to collection.
Describe the room
Say what type of room or flat it is, roughly how much is in it and which items you want to keep.
Add access and timing
Mention the floor, lift, parking, any access times set by the home and your deadline.
Get a carrier quote
Post the job, compare licensed carriers' quotes and choose, with no obligation to accept.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to clear a care home room in London?
Indicatively £180 to £350 for a single room or small studio, often with a 24 to 48 hour turnaround. The real price is the quote you receive.
How quickly can a care home room be cleared?
Often within a day or two if you post early and give full access details, but availability depends on carriers. Say how urgent it is when you post.
Who is responsible for clearing the room after a death?
Usually the executor or the family, subject to the contract with the home or the tenancy agreement. Check with the manager or landlord how long you have.
What happens to wheelchairs, hoists and medical equipment?
They may belong to the home, the NHS or the council and may need to be collected by them. Ask who owns each item before you include it in a clearance.
Can usable furniture be donated?
Often yes. Reuse schemes and charities may take items in good condition, but rules differ, so check before you arrange collection.
Is sheltered housing cheaper to clear than a house?
Usually, because the property is smaller, but access, lifts and parking still affect the price.
Ready to see your price?
Post your care home or sheltered housing clearance for licensed carriers to quote on.
