Void Property Clearance & Cleaning

A void property refers to a home or business premises which has been vacated, either voluntarily or forcibly, which then remains vacant due to being ‘uninhabitable’ through the previous tenants actions or general disrepair.

The tenant may have abandoned the property (leaving it open to squatters), exhibited hoarding behaviours, have allowed the property’s condition to decline over time through a lack of maintenance, or allowed it to be used for illicit activities.

In our context, ‘void property’ is an umbrella term for any property that is empty and, to a reasonable person, not suitable for tenancy, such as:

• Squatter properties

• Derelict properties

• Abandoned properties

• Properties subject to closure order (under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014)

We provide void property clearance and cleaning in all of the above circumstances, as we have the expertise to deal with all possible risks present.

Void Properties

Properties which have been left empty for a long time can deteriorate or become vandalised, resulting in potentially dangerous environments which present risks to you, your staff and indeed those wishing to clear and clean the property.

Void properties may contain biohazards, such as human waste or substance abuse paraphernalia (e.g. needles, sharps). There may also be damage to fixtures, fittings and the properties structure.

Often they are infested by pests, which present problems of their own due to harmful pathogens.

Squatter properties

Safety can be a real concern when dealing with properties affected by squatters or those who have abused a property. Drug paraphernalia is more likely to be present, and may have been left in positions intentionally designed to cause harm. Extreme caution must therefore be taken by anyone entering the property, and our team is trained in the safest practices.

Post-eviction properties

In some cases, properties may have been deliberately damaged or left in disarray, in protest of eviction. These properties present their own risks, often dependent on the reason for eviction. For example, the property may have been used as a cannabis-farm, drug den, cuckoo-house, or for other illegal activities.

A primary concern is hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia left by drug users.

Our void property services are available to all types of property, including houses, flats, shops, pubs, restaurants and public buildings. We can even take care of outside areas, completing needle sweeps, garden clearances and cutting back of overgrown foliage.

As a specialist in biohazard and extreme cleaning, we have the expertise and experience to manage the risks that void properties pose to you, your future tenants and any lettings staff or other contractors. We provide void property clearance and cleaning services to the highest standard in compliance with all health and safety regulations.

Due to our focus on specialist cleaning/clearance needs, we have wider availability than many other companies offering more generalised services, meaning that our services can be provided as quickly as next-day.

Specialist Cleaning Limited are registered as upper-tier waste carriers, and all waste is disposed of in accordance with current waste disposal regulations.

We use a variety of waste disposal methods, including the use of waste collections, skips and removal by our own cleaning teams, depending on the quantity of waste and any hazardous classifications.

Waste may be recycled, sent to landfill or incinerated depending on it’s type and any risk it poses to health or the environment.

You will be provided with the relevant paperwork upon completion, so that you can demonstrate that all your responsibilities have been fulfilled.

We understand that the cost of a service is a major determining factor in who you choose to undertake your void property clearance and cleaning services. Whilst we do not have a standard price structure, because we do not always deal with standard void properties, we always complete a free, no-obligation assessment of the works to be completed, and provide a completely transparent quotation prior to any works.

Void property clearances are typically undertaken by a team of two/three employees, with the utmost care for your property or housing stock, and we can clear and clean your property to short timescales, often surpassing the expectations of any service-level agreements.

Following acceptance of our quote for void property clearance and/or cleaning, and the works being completed, an itemised VAT invoice will be provided, along with any documentation such as certificates of sanitisation. Payment is due within 7 days of completion, unless otherwise agreed under SLA, contract or at time of service arrangement. We also ask that any issues are raised within 48 hours, so that these can be rectified promptly.