Homeowners · 3 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Clearing a loved one's home: what to do with TVs and electricals
Take your time where you can
Clearing the home of someone who has died is emotional and often has to fit around probate, tenancy deadlines or a house sale. TVs and electricals are rarely the priority, but they are bulky and have specific disposal rules, so a simple plan helps. If the home is rented, check with the landlord or housing provider how long you have to clear it.
Before anything is removed, executors are usually advised to make a list of the contents, and valuable items may need to be valued for probate. Ordinary TVs and household electricals rarely have significant value, but it is sensible to agree with other family members and beneficiaries what is happening to them, so no one is surprised when items disappear.
A step-by-step plan for electricals
- Walk through each room and list TVs, radios, computers, phones and appliances
- Agree with family what is being kept or passed on
- Check whether any items are rented or belong to a provider, such as pay TV boxes
- Sign out of and reset smart TVs, phones, tablets and computers
- Set aside working items for reuse, sale or donation
- Group the rest for a single recycling trip or collection
- Keep receipts and records if you are acting as executor
Phones, tablets and computers contain far more personal data than TVs. Back up anything the family wants, such as photos, before resetting them.
Smart TVs, accounts and subscriptions
A smart TV may still be signed in to paid streaming services, manufacturer accounts and sometimes a pay TV subscription. Before the TV leaves the house, sign out of apps and do a factory reset. Separately, cancel any subscriptions on the person's bank statements, such as streaming services or pay TV, which usually need contacting directly with details of the death.
Pay TV providers often own the set-top box and may ask for it back. Tell them about the death and ask for return instructions.
The TV Licence
If no one living at the address will watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer, the TV Licence can be cancelled. TV Licensing has a process for when a licence holder has died, and a refund may be available for unused full months, paid to the estate. If someone else lives at the property and still needs a licence, it can usually be transferred to them instead. Check the current process on the TV Licensing website.
Your legal responsibilities
Whoever arranges the clearance is responsible for making sure waste goes to someone authorised to take it. That applies to executors and family members as much as to the original householder. If a clearance company or a man with a van fly-tips the contents, the waste can be traced back to the address and those who arranged the clearance can be fined.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Registered waste carrier number | Shows they are authorised to carry waste |
| Where electricals will be taken | TVs must go to a WEEE recycling route |
| Written fixed price | Avoids disputes on the day |
| Receipt or waste transfer note | Proof of what was removed and by whom |
You can check a waste carrier registration on the public register for England, or the equivalent registers for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Options for TVs and electricals
| Option | Best for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Family and friends | Working recent TVs and appliances | Free |
| Charity or reuse project | Working items that meet their conditions | Usually free, some charge for collection |
| Selling locally | Recent smart TVs and consoles | Income for the estate |
| Recycling centre | Small items if you have a car | Free for residents of that area |
| Registered collection | Several TVs and heavy items | Around £25 to £70 for the first TV, extra TVs often £10 to £25 |
Older homes often have heavy CRT TVs in spare rooms, lofts or garages. These need two people to lift and specialist recycling because of their leaded glass.
Selling items from the estate
If items are sold, the money normally belongs to the estate. Keep a simple note of what was sold and for how much. For most household electricals the amounts are small, but executors are expected to account for the estate's assets, so a short list avoids questions later.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my late parent's TV to my local tip?
Recycling centres usually only accept household waste from residents of their own council area, and many ask for proof of address. If you are clearing a home in a different area, use the recycling centre for that address and take proof, such as a utility bill. Check booking and van rules on that council's website first.
How do I cancel a TV Licence after a death?
TV Licensing has a dedicated process for when a licence holder has died, which you can start online or by phone. If no one at the address needs a licence, it can be cancelled and a refund may be paid to the estate for unused full months. If someone still lives there and needs one, the licence can usually be transferred.
Do house clearance companies have to recycle TVs?
Yes. TVs are electrical waste and must go to a WEEE recycling route, not landfill or general waste. A legitimate house clearance company should be a registered waste carrier and be able to tell you where electricals will be taken. Ask for their registration number and a receipt, and check the number on the public register.
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