After a death at home, especially one that went unnoticed for a while, the property may need specialist cleaning before anyone can use it, sell it or hand it back. Here's how the cost is usually covered. Every situation is different so check the details with your insurer, solicitor or landlord.
The short answer
The cost usually falls on whoever is responsible for the property: the estate of the person who died if they owned it or the landlord or housing provider if it was rented. Home insurance sometimes covers some or all of it. The police, the council and the NHS don't normally pay for cleaning a private home.
If the person owned the home
The cleaning is normally treated as an expense of the estate. The executor or administrator can pay it from the estate's money once they have access to it or pay it themselves and reclaim it from the estate later. Keep the invoice and any waste paperwork. If you're unsure whether a cost should come from the estate, ask the solicitor dealing with probate before you agree to pay.
Check the home insurance first
Some buildings and contents policies cover trauma cleaning or damage caused by a death, either as standard or under accidental damage cover. Cover varies a lot between insurers, so:
- Call the insurer before work starts if you can. Many have approved contractors and may want to send their own assessor.
- Ask whether the policy covers cleaning, replacing flooring and odour treatment, as these are often the biggest costs.
- Check the excess and whether cover stops if the home was unoccupied for a set number of days.
- Ask the cleaning firm whether it will deal with the insurer directly. Many do.
If the home was rented
In privately rented homes the landlord usually arranges the cleaning and may claim from their landlord insurance. In some cases they may look to the estate for costs, for example under the tenancy agreement. In council and housing association homes the provider normally arranges and pays for specialist cleaning before the property is let again. If you're a relative, get advice before agreeing to pay a landlord's costs yourself.
If the death involved a crime
Cleaning costs still usually fall on the property owner or their insurer. Victim Support (0808 168 9111) can explain what practical and financial help may be available where you live.
If there's no money in the estate
If the person who died owned the home but the estate has little money, speak to the solicitor or the bank before committing to costs. Where no one is responsible and a property becomes a risk to health, councils have powers to arrange cleaning and recover the cost later. This is uncommon and usually a last resort.
Getting a fair price
Ask for a written, itemised quote and compare two firms if time allows. A quote should cover labour, removal and disposal of contaminated items, disinfection and odour treatment. Our guide on what to expect from a trauma cleaning company lists the questions to ask.
For free bereavement support, contact Cruse Bereavement Support on 0808 808 1677.
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