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H1: Void property cleaning and squat clearance

Last month, a housing association in Knowle West handed us keys to a ground-floor flat. The previous tenant had been gone for six weeks. In that time, someone had broken in. We found drug paraphernalia in the bathroom, human waste in the hallway, mattresses dragged in from somewhere, and black mould climbing the bedroom wall where a window had been left open through January.

The housing officer needed it re-let within ten days.

We had a two-person team on site the next morning. Biohazard removal first. Then a full strip-clean of every room: walls, floors, fixtures, fittings. Mould treatment. Odour neutralisation. New-tenant standard throughout.

Keys back in four days. The property passed inspection that Friday.

That’s what void property cleaning looks like when it goes beyond a mop and a tin of emulsion. Empty properties attract problems. The longer they sit, the worse it gets. Our job is to get them back on the books, fast.

If you’ve got a void property that needs turning around, call us on 07985 505061. We’ll give you a price and a start date, usually within 48 hours.

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25 years’ experience | £2M insured (AXA) | IICRC certified | Fast void turnaround | B2B accounts available

What Void Property Cleaning Involves

Every empty property is different. Some just need a thorough clean between tenants. Others have been neglected for months or left in a state that a standard cleaning company won’t touch.

We handle the full range. A void property clean from BCH covers:

General cleaning to inventory standard. Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas. Inside cupboards, behind appliances, window tracks, skirting boards. The same standard we deliver on our end of tenancy cleans, but geared towards the landlord’s timeline rather than the outgoing tenant’s.

Waste and debris removal. Abandoned furniture, bags of rubbish, clothing, food waste. We’ve cleared everything from entire kitchens full of rotting food to rooms stacked floor to ceiling with abandoned belongings. All waste is disposed of legally, with full documentation.

Biohazard cleaning. Blood, bodily fluids, human waste, needles, drug residue. Properties that have been squatted, used for drug activity, or left after a tenant’s death often need specialist decontamination. We’re IICRC certified for this work and carry full PPE. Hazardous waste goes through licensed disposal channels.

Mould treatment. Empty properties with no heating and poor ventilation develop mould fast, especially over winter in Bristol. We don’t just wipe it off. We treat it with anti-fungal chemicals and address moisture sources where possible. For serious infestations, see our mould removal service.

Odour removal. Pet urine soaked into floorboards. Cigarette smoke baked into walls. Decomposition. Damp. We use thermal fogging and hydroxyl generators to break down odour molecules at source. Not air fresheners.

Carpet and flooring. Hot water extraction for salvageable carpets. Removal and disposal of carpets that are beyond saving. Hard floor scrubbing and sanitisation.

Three Levels of Void Clean

Not every void needs the same level of work. We quote based on what the property actually needs, not a one-size package.

Level 1: Light Void Clean

The property is in reasonable condition. Previous tenant left it tidy, no damage, no contamination. This is a standard between-tenancy clean.

Full kitchen and bathroom deep clean
All rooms hoovered and mopped
Inside cupboards and wardrobes wiped
Windows cleaned internally
Skirting boards, door frames, light switches
Carpet clean with hot water extraction

Typical turnaround: 1 day for a two-bed flat.

Level 2: Heavy Void Clean

The property has been neglected. Significant dirt and grime. Possible minor mould. Leftover belongings or rubbish to clear. Needs more than a surface clean to pass inventory.

Everything in Level 1, plus:

Waste and abandoned belongings removal
Wall washing and mark removal
Heavy-duty kitchen degrease (oven, hob, extractor, tiles)
Bathroom descaling and grout restoration
Mould treatment on affected areas
Odour treatment if needed
Hard floor scrubbing

Typical turnaround: 1 to 3 days depending on property size and condition.

Level 3: Biohazard Void Clean

The property has contamination that poses a health risk. Drug paraphernalia, human or animal waste, blood, vermin infestation, or evidence of drug production. This level requires specialist protocols, PPE, and licensed waste disposal.

Everything in Level 2, plus:

Full biohazard assessment before work begins
Sharps collection and safe disposal
Bodily fluid removal and surface decontamination
Drug residue cleaning (see our drug lab cleanup service)
Vermin waste removal and sanitisation
ATP testing to verify decontamination
Air quality testing where needed
Full waste transfer documentation

Typical turnaround: 2 to 5 days depending on contamination severity.

Honest caveat: we can’t always tell you the level until we’ve seen the property. Photos help, but sometimes the worst contamination is hidden under debris or behind furniture. We’ll quote based on what we can see and keep you informed if the scope changes once we’re on site.

Squat Clearance

Squatted properties are their own category. The damage isn’t just dirt. It’s structural interference, deliberate destruction, and contamination that can make a property genuinely unsafe to enter without protection.

Here’s what we typically find in squatted properties across Bristol:

Drug paraphernalia. Needles, pipes, foil, chemical residue. We’ve cleared squats in St Pauls and Easton where every room had sharps scattered across the floor. This isn’t something a regular cleaning company should be handling. Our team follows strict sharps protocols and all needles are disposed of through licensed clinical waste channels.

Human waste. When plumbing gets damaged or toilets stop working, the alternatives aren’t pleasant. We’ve dealt with rooms used as toilets, buckets, corners. It needs specialist biohazard cleaning, not just a mop.

Fire damage. Open fires lit inside the property for warmth. Smoke damage to walls and ceilings. Melted flooring. We can handle the cleaning side. For significant fire damage restoration, see our fire damage service.

Graffiti. Internal and external. We offer graffiti removal as part of the squat clearance or as a standalone service.

Structural mess. Removed doors, damaged plasterwork, broken windows. We’ll clean and decontaminate everything. Structural repairs are outside our scope, but we can recommend trusted contractors in Bristol who handle that side.

In my experience, the biggest mistake landlords and housing associations make with squatted properties is waiting. Every week a squat sits increases the cleanup cost. Damp sets in. Mould spreads. Contamination gets worse. If you’ve got a squatted property that’s been recovered, call us straight away. The sooner we start, the less it costs.

Our Process

1. You contact us with the details

Phone, email or WhatsApp. Tell us what you know about the property: how long it’s been empty, what condition it’s in, any known contamination. Photos are useful. If you’re a housing association or council with multiple voids, we can set up a standing arrangement.

2. Site assessment

We visit the property and walk it room by room. For standard voids, we can often quote on the spot. For biohazard or squat clearance work, we need to assess contamination levels and plan the approach. We’ll give you a clear price and timeline before any work starts.

3. Clearance and cleaning

We work to the level the property needs. Light voids get a thorough, inventory-ready clean. Heavy voids get waste removal, deep cleaning and any specialist treatment required. Biohazard voids get the full decontamination protocol with PPE, licensed disposal and testing.

4. Final inspection

We do our own quality check before handing back. Every room, every surface. If you have a specific inventory checklist or re-let standard, give it to us upfront and we’ll work to it.

5. Documentation and handover

Keys returned. Waste transfer notes provided. Before-and-after photos if needed. For housing associations and councils, we supply whatever paperwork your compliance team requires.

Who We Work With

This is primarily a B2B service. Most of our void property work comes from:

Landlords and letting agents. Private landlords with one property or portfolios of fifty. Letting agents across Bristol including areas like Redland, Bishopston, Gloucester Road, Bedminster and Clifton. We offer account terms for regular clients. See our landlords and property managers page for more detail.

Housing associations. We work with several housing associations across Bristol and South Gloucestershire on void turnarounds. We understand the compliance requirements, the re-let targets and the paperwork. If you need a reliable cleaning contractor for your void schedule, we should talk.

Bristol City Council and local authorities. Council-owned properties that need clearing and cleaning between tenants. We’ve worked with housing teams across the BS postcode area and can fit into existing procurement processes. Visit our councils and housing associations page for more on how we support local authority work.

Property developers and investors. Acquired a property that’s been empty? Previous owner left it in a state? We’ll get it to whatever standard you need, whether that’s habitable, viewable or ready for refurbishment.

Private tenants: if you’re looking for a clean before you move out (rather than after), our end of tenancy cleaning service is what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does void property cleaning cost?

It depends on the property size, condition and level of contamination. As a rough guide: a light void clean on a two-bed flat runs from around £300 to £500. A heavy void with waste removal and deep cleaning, £500 to £1,500. A biohazard or squat clearance can be £1,500 to £5,000 or more depending on what we find. We always give a fixed quote before starting. For housing associations and councils with regular voids, we offer contract rates.

How quickly can you turn around a void property?

For a light void, we can often start within 48 hours and finish the same day. Heavy voids typically take one to three days of work. Biohazard cleans take two to five days. We understand that void periods cost money. Every empty day is lost rent or a missed re-let target. We schedule accordingly.

Do you clean properties with drug contamination?

Yes. We’re trained and equipped for drug-related contamination including needles, pipes, residue and chemical contamination from drug production. For properties where drugs have been manufactured (cannabis farms, methamphetamine labs), we have a dedicated drug lab cleanup service with additional decontamination protocols.

Can you remove abandoned belongings and furniture?

Yes. We clear everything the previous tenant left behind. Furniture, clothing, household items, rubbish. It all goes. We sort for recycling where possible and dispose of the rest through licensed channels. You’ll get waste transfer documentation for your records.

What standard do you clean to?

Inventory-ready. That means the property will pass a professional inventory inspection for re-letting. If you have a specific checklist or standard your housing association uses, send it to us and we’ll work to it. We clean to the same detailed standard as our end of tenancy service: inside cupboards, behind appliances, window tracks, the lot.

Do you offer ongoing void cleaning contracts?

Yes. If you’re a landlord, letting agent, housing association or council with regular void properties, we can set up a standing agreement. Agreed rates, priority scheduling, consistent standard. Several of our B2B clients book us for every void in their portfolio. It’s simpler than finding a new company each time.

Is your void cleaning insured?

We carry £2M professional liability insurance through AXA. That covers damage to the property during our work and any third-party claims. We also hold hazardous waste carrier licences for biohazard disposal. We’ll provide copies of our insurance documentation and certifications on request.

End of Tenancy Cleaning — Tenant-focused move-out cleaning to pass inventory checks
Drug Lab Cleanup — Specialist decontamination for properties used in drug production
Deep Cleaning and Disinfection — Full property sanitisation for heavy soiling and neglect
Landlords and Property Managers — Our full service offer for private landlords and letting agents
Councils and Housing Associations — How we work with local authority housing teams

Get Your Void Property Back on the Books

Empty properties don’t earn. They attract damp, damage and, sometimes, unwanted occupants. The faster you get a void cleaned and re-let, the less it costs you.

Call us with the details. Property size, condition, any known issues. We’ll give you a fixed price, a start date and a finish date. Then we’ll get on with it.

Phone: 07985 505061 WhatsApp: 07985 505061 Email: hello@bristolcleaningheroes.co.uk

We’re at 290-294 Southmead Road, Bristol BS10 5EN. Covering all of Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

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Void Property Cleaning and Squat Clearance