Sophie’s Professional Hoarders House Clearance Service In Longhorsley – Northumberland
Sophie’s House Clearance and cleaning provide honest and reliable cleaners for all your housework chores in homes. Everything we do is designed to serve your specific needs with speed, convenience and quality.
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Our Cleaning Services Include:
- End of tenancy clean
- One off house clean
- After builders clean
- Emergency clean
- Trauma clean
- Spring clean
- Move in/out clean
- Hoarders House Cleaning Service
- Bio-hazard Cleaning Service
- Student Accommodation Cleaning Service
- Deep clean & more…
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Sophie’s Hoarders House Clearance Service Longhorsley
Client: Private property owner (name withheld)
Location: Longhorsley, Northumberland
Property Type: 3-bedroom semi-detached house
Service Provided: Full hoarder house clearance, deep clean, and sanitisation
Project Duration: 5 days
Team: 4 specialist clearance operatives
Background
In May 2025, Sophie’s Cleaning Company was contacted by the nephew of a retired woman living alone in Longhorsley, a peaceful village in rural Northumberland. The property had fallen into severe disrepair due to years of hoarding, compounded by limited mobility and mental health challenges.
The nephew had recently been given power of attorney and was overwhelmed by the task of preparing the house for sale. His top priorities were clearing the property safely, protecting any valuable or sentimental items, and restoring it to a clean, liveable condition.
Initial Assessment
Upon arriving at the property, we conducted a comprehensive site visit and risk assessment. Key observations included:
Extreme accumulation of household items: clothing, magazines, unopened parcels, broken appliances, and bags of rubbish blocked access to multiple rooms.
Food waste and expired goods were found in every room, not just the kitchen.
Structural concerns, including a buckling floorboard in the utility area caused by water leakage.
Significant rodent activity, with visible droppings, nests, and gnawed furniture.
Mould and damp patches in the bathroom, kitchen, and one bedroom.
A strong musty odour throughout the house.
We categorised the job as a Level 4 Hoarder Clearance — requiring specialised PPE, biohazard cleaning materials, and a phased clearance strategy.
Our Method: A Phased, Respectful Approach
We approached the clearance over 5 structured days, with regular check-ins with the client and photo updates to keep the family informed.
Day 1 – Access and Safety
Established clear pathways through the home to identify hazards.
Carried out electrical safety checks and isolated damaged appliances.
Removed the first 2 tonnes of bagged waste and clutter, mostly non-perishable items and packaging.
Day 2 – Sorting, Salvaging, and Sensitive Disposal
Identified and carefully preserved family memorabilia, jewellery, photographs, and legal paperwork.
Sorted recyclable materials (paper, cardboard, metal) into council-approved categories.
Removed several damaged furniture items under local waste regulations.
Day 3 – Kitchen and Sanitary Areas
Deep cleaned and disinfected kitchen surfaces, including removal of expired tinned food and contaminated cooking utensils.
Dealt with a blocked drain and worked with a local plumber to prevent further water damage.
Mould removal and surface sanitising in bathroom and under-sink areas.
Day 4 – Pest Control and Odour Removal
Collaborated with a trusted local pest control company to safely eliminate rodent activity.
Deployed HEPA air scrubbers and odour-neutralising foggers to address lingering smells.
Replaced damaged soft furnishings that had absorbed odours beyond repair.
Day 5 – Deep Cleaning and Presentation
Carpet extraction cleaning and hard floor sanitising.
Wiped down all walls, skirting, and door frames.
Final touch-ups including window cleaning, airing out the home, and installing temporary moisture traps.
Results
Before & After Impact:
Area Before After
Kitchen Unsanitary, mould-ridden, cluttered Fully cleaned, usable, all appliances removed
Bedrooms Inaccessible due to hoarding Safe, clear, freshly cleaned and aired
Bathroom Damp, minor structural damage Sanitised, dry, and free of biohazards
Whole Property Uninhabitable, odour-heavy, unsafe Clean, ready for renovation/sale
Total waste removed: 3.5 tonnes
Items recovered: Family jewellery, tax records, hand-written letters, childhood photographs
Time taken: 5 working days
Property value increase (as estimated by estate agent): £22,000
Client Testimonial
“We honestly didn’t know where to start. The house was in such a state that it felt hopeless. Sophie’s Cleaning Company were incredible from day one — discreet, kind, thorough, and totally professional. They recovered family treasures we thought were lost forever. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.”
— Client’s Nephew, Longhorsley
✅ What Made This Project a Success?
Discretion: All clearance was done using unmarked vehicles to protect the family’s privacy in the village.
Sensitivity: Our team treated every item with care, consulting with the family where decisions were needed.
Efficiency: Despite the condition of the property, we completed the job on time and within budget.
Local knowledge: Familiarity with Northumberland council guidelines ensured we used the correct waste and recycling facilities.
Facing a Similar Challenge in Northumberland?
If you or a loved one are dealing with a hoarded property in Longhorsley or surrounding areas, Sophie’s Cleaning Company offers a trusted, judgment-free service that gets real results — with heart, not just hard work.
Sophie’s Cleaning Company — Compassionate Clearance You Can Count On.