Not always, no. It's one of the questions we hear most often, especially from people dealing with a probate clearance for a property they don't live near, or landlords managing a clearance between tenants. Plenty of our jobs are completed without the customer ever being on-site.
Key collection & remote access
We offer key collection for exactly this reason. That might mean picking up keys from a neighbour, an estate agent, a solicitor's office or a key safe - whatever's easiest for you to arrange. Once we're in, our team works from clear instructions agreed with you in advance, covering what's being cleared, what's being kept, and anything that needs particular care.
Before & after photos
For every remote job, we take before and after photos so you have a clear visual record, even if you're hundreds of miles away. This is particularly useful for probate clearances, where an executor might be based in London or overseas while the property itself is in Lincoln or Peterborough. It also gives peace of mind that the job was completed as agreed.
When it helps to be there
If a property has sentimental or valuable items mixed in with things to be cleared, it's usually worth being there in person, or at least giving us a very clear list beforehand, so nothing gets removed by mistake. For straightforward clearances where everything is going, working from agreed instructions is usually enough. If anything looks uncertain once we're on-site - a box of paperwork, a locked drawer, anything that doesn't clearly fall into "keep" or "clear" - we'll always check with you before it goes anywhere.
Landlords & letting agents
The same remote setup works well for landlords and letting agents preparing a property for a new tenant. Key collection and before-and-after photos double as a handover record, which is often useful to have on file alongside end-of-tenancy paperwork. It also means a clearance in one town doesn't need to disrupt your day if you're managing several properties across the East Midlands at once.
What to have ready either way
- Access arranged - key safe code, neighbour's details, or an agent's contact.
- A clear note of anything that must stay, even if the rest is being cleared.
- A phone number we can reach you on during the job, in case anything comes up.
Get those three things sorted and there's no reason you need to be standing in the property while we work.