Hoarding, pests and infestation
Get the property assessed for flies, wasps, rodents and hoarded waste before anyone clears it.
A hoarded or infested property is a health and safety job first and a clearance job second, and treating it in the wrong order wastes money and spreads the problem.
- How long it takes
- Assessment within days; treatment 1–5 days
- Typical cost
- Pest treatment £80–£400 per visit; hoarded clearance often £1,000+
- What you need before you start
- Access to the property
- Photographs from the doorway if you have them
Before you read this step
This step describes infestation, droppings, sharps and hoarded conditions, and the protective equipment needed to be in the property safely. It is factual rather than graphic, but it can still be hard reading about a home you knew.
You can leave this closed and ask someone else to read it, or go back to the other steps in this phase.
General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed 19 August 2026 by Simon D Campbell. Applies to England and Wales.