Empty the estate in seven steps
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Step 1: The person who lived with the deceased, or otherwise can take care of the property, takes care of it and notifies the other estate members.
18 kap. 2 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
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Step 2: If the deceased rented an apartment: terminate the lease within one month of death, so a one-month notice period applies. Ask for written confirmation.
12 kap. 5 § second paragraph jordabalken (1970:994), checked 3 October 2026
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Step 3: Agree with the other members on what to keep, sell, donate and throw away. It's a joint decision.
18 kap. 1 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
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Step 4: Write down the value of the items and what you get for what you sell, so there is a basis for the estate inventory. our advice
20 kap. 4 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 5 October 2026
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Step 5: Distribute what is to be kept, sell or donate the rest and take the bulk waste to the recycling centre.
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Step 6: Clean the home and return the keys to the landlord by the end of the notice period. our advice
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Step 7: Conduct the estate inventory within three months of the death and submit it to Skatteverket within one month after conducting it.
20 kap. 1 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
20 kap. 8 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
Who can empty the estate?
The surviving spouse or partner, heirs and universal testamentary beneficiaries are estate members. They manage the deceased's property together and represent the estate. Selling, donating or throwing away items is therefore a joint decision. Only what cannot wait can be done without everyone's consent. Until everyone has taken care of the property, the person who lived with the deceased, or otherwise can take care of it, should take care of it and immediately notify the others.
18 kap. 1 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
18 kap. 2 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
The estate inventory and the value of the items
The estate inventory should be carried out within three months of the death, and Skatteverket can extend the time if you apply within the same time. Two executors who do not inherit the deceased certify that everything has been recorded and valued. The estate inventory is submitted to Skatteverket within one month of the execution, and today on paper. Skatteverket stated on 3 October 2026 that it takes approximately ten weeks before a case is assigned to a handler.
Assets are valued at market value on the day of death. For movable property, such as furniture and household goods, there is no standard amount: it is valued at what it can be sold for. If you sell things before the execution, it is therefore a good idea to save receipts or notes on what you got.
20 kap. 1 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
20 kap. 2 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
20 kap. 4 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 5 October 2026
20 kap. 8 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
Source: Skatteverket: Estate inventory, Skatteverket: Brochure Estate inventory (SKV 461, edition 8, pdf).
Sell, donate or throw away
What should be saved is divided according to the inheritance or what you agree on. What should be discarded can be sold at an auction or to a buyer, donated to second-hand or left at the recycling centre. Second-hand and charity organisations often accept things that can be used. How you choose between selling, donating and throwing away is described in the guide to selling, donating or throwing away furniture.
Source: Sopor.nu (Avfall Sverige): Bulk waste.
Removal and bulk waste
Bulk waste is broken furniture, metal scrap and other bulky waste. It is left at the municipality's recycling centre, and if you cannot drive it yourself, the municipality can collect it for a fee. Bulk waste must not be placed at recycling stations for packaging. If there is a lot at once, a container may be the easiest solution. More about collection and prices in the guide to removal.
Source: Sopor.nu (Avfall Sverige): Bulk waste.
Does the estate get a RUT tax deduction?
No, not for what is done after the death. Skatteverket writes that an estate can only get a RUT tax deduction for work performed before the death, and that move-out cleaning when the estate is wound up does not give a tax reduction. Neither can the deceased's children get a deduction for work in the parent's home after the death. Removal of waste never gives a RUT tax deduction. Therefore, count on the full price when you receive quotes for emptying and cleaning.
Source: Skatteverket: Can an estate of a deceased person get tax reduction for rot or RUT work?, Skatteverket: The property or tenant-owned apartment (when a relative dies), Skatteverket: How the RUT tax deduction works.
Terminate the deceased's rental apartment
If the estate cancels the rental agreement within a month of the death, it will end at the next month's end, at the earliest, one month after the cancellation. If you miss this deadline, the normal cancellation period of three months applies. If the deceased and their spouse or partner rented the apartment together, the estate and the surviving partner must cancel the agreement together. The agreement remains in effect until the end of the cancellation period, so include the rent up to that point. The Swedish Courts recommend a written cancellation and a written confirmation from the landlord.
If someone who lived with the deceased wants to stay, the estate can instead transfer the rental agreement, see the guide on how to transfer a rental contract. The templates for cancellation and change of address can be found in the guide on change of address for an estate.
12 kap. 5 § second paragraph jordabalken (1970:994), checked 3 October 2026
12 kap. 5 § jordabalken (1970:994), checked 3 October 2026
Source: Swedish Courts: When the tenant cancels the agreement.
Tenant-owned apartment or house in the estate
An estate can keep a tenant-owned apartment without being a member of the association. Three years after the death, the association can ask the estate to show within six months that the tenant-owned apartment has been transferred to someone in a division of property or inheritance, or bought by someone who can become a member. Otherwise, it can be sold by force for the estate's account. The person taking over must apply for membership, even in the case of inheritance.
If the estate of a deceased person is to sell a house, it must first apply for a title deed, so-called estate title deed. The estate inventory must be registered and the property must be listed in it, and if the death occurred on 1 July 2026 or later, the estate needs an organisation number. If the deceased owned the house on 1 January of the year of death, the estate pays the property fee for the whole year.
6 kap. 1 a § bostadsrättslag (1991:614), checked 3 October 2026
Source: Skatteverket: The property or tenant-owned apartment (when a relative dies), Lantmäteriet (the Swedish land registration authority): Application for registration of title in the case of an estate.
Clearing an estate in Gothenburg
If you want help with the clearance, we have checked these companies. Ask for a written quote, and remember that the work does not qualify for RUT tax deduction.
The favourite comes first and the others in alphabetical order. Nobody pays to be listed.
We include options that meet these requirements:
- A removal company with an address in Göteborgs kommun and its own page about clearing an estate.
- Details in Transportstyrelsen's register of traffic permits and F-skatt certificate.
- A rating of at least 4.5 on Google from at least 100 reviews.
Västsvenska Flyttbyrån
Västsvenska Flyttbyrån AB · org. no. 559160-4425 · Västra Frölunda, Gothenburg
Why our favourite: the only one of the companies that says where the items go (what is to be donated goes to Erikshjälpen, among others) and that offers valuation, with 4.9 out of 5 from 186 reviews on Google. Nobody pays to be listed.
The company has its own page about estates and writes that what is to be donated goes to Erikshjälpen, among others, and that it can arrange a valuation through a certified valuer. It publishes no prices, so you have to ask for a quote.
Checked by us 2 October 2026
- Traffic permit: details found in the register
Transportstyrelsen (the Swedish Transport Agency) - F-skatt: registered
allabolag.se - Google 4.9 out of 5, 186 reviews
Google Maps - RUT tax deduction on the movestated by the company
vsflyttbyran.se Everything we checked at Västsvenska Flyttbyrån
Sources: vsflyttbyran.se, estates.
Guldhedens Flytt
Guldhedens Flyttexpress AB · org. no. 556523-0223 · Askim (Sisjön), Gothenburg
The company has its own page about clearing out an estate. It writes that the price depends on the size of the estate and which services are needed afterwards, such as move-out cleaning, and gives advice on hiring a valuation expert. No published prices.
Checked by us 2 October 2026
- Traffic permit: details found in the register
Transportstyrelsen - F-skatt: registered
allabolag.se - Google 4.8 out of 5, 742 reviews
Google Maps - RUT tax deduction on the movestated by the company
guldhedensflytt.se Everything we checked at Guldhedens Flytt
Nordiska Flyttkompaniet
Nordiska Flyttkompaniet AB · org. no. 556980-7901 · Gothenburg
The company is not on our list of removal companies in Gothenburg, but meets the criteria for this list. It has its own page about estates and, according to the page, can also help with clearing out and removal of waste. It publishes no prices and asks you to call for a price.
Checked by us 2 October 2026
- Traffic permit: details found in the register
Transportstyrelsen - F-skatt: registered
allabolag.se - Google 4.8 out of 5, 182 reviews
Google Maps
Sources: nordiskaflyttkompaniet.se, estates, nordiskaflyttkompaniet.se, Transportstyrelsen, Check traffic permit.
Traffic permit and F-skatt as on the list of removal companies in Gothenburg. The estate pages and the Google ratings were read on 5 October 2026.
Common questions
Can the estate get a RUT tax deduction for emptying and move-out cleaning?
No. An estate can only get a RUT tax deduction for work done before the death, according to Skatteverket. This also applies to move-out cleaning when the estate is wound up, and the surviving children cannot get a deduction for work in the parent's home after the death. Waste disposal never gives a RUT tax deduction.
Can I empty the apartment before the drawing is done?
Yes, if all the estate heirs agree, since you manage the property together. The estate inventory should state the value as it was at the time of death, so write down what you sell and what you get for it.
How long is the termination period?
One month to the end of the month, if the estate cancels within a month from the death. If you cancel later, the normal notice period of three months applies.
What happens to the housing right?
The estate can keep it without being a member of the association. After three years, the association can demand that the estate show within six months that someone who can become a member has taken over it, otherwise it can be forcibly sold.
What do we do if the money is not enough for the funeral?
If the assets only cover the funeral and other costs for the death, and there is no property, the social services in the deceased's municipality can make an estate notification instead of an estate inventory. Contact the social services office.
The law behind it
The sections summarised, with a link to the legal text on riksdagen.se.
18 kap. 1 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
The surviving spouse or cohabiting partner, heirs and universal legatees (estate beneficiaries) jointly manage the deceased's property while the estate is being administered and represent the estate towards third parties. Measures that cannot be postponed may be taken even if the consent of a beneficiary cannot be obtained.
18 kap. 2 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
Until all beneficiaries have taken charge of the property, it is to be looked after by a beneficiary who lived with the deceased or is otherwise able to take care of it. That person must immediately notify the other beneficiaries. If there is no such person, a member of the household, a landlord or someone else nearby is to take care of the property and summon the beneficiaries or report the death to the social welfare board.
20 kap. 1 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
An estate inventory is to be carried out no later than three months after the death, unless Skatteverket, on application made within the same time, extends the period.
20 kap. 2 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
The beneficiary who has the property in their care decides the time and place and appoints two knowledgeable and trustworthy persons to carry out the inventory. All beneficiaries must be summoned in good time, and the surviving spouse or cohabiting partner must always be summoned.
20 kap. 4 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 5 October 2026
The deceased's assets and debts are recorded as they were at the time of death, with the value of the assets and the amount of the debts. If the deceased was married, both spouses' assets and debts are recorded separately. If a surviving partner has requested a division of property, the shared property is recorded separately.
20 kap. 8 § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
The estate inventory must be submitted to Skatteverket for registration within one month after it was drawn up.
20 kap. 8 a § ärvdabalk (1958:637), checked 3 October 2026
If the assets only cover funeral costs and other expenses arising from the death, and there is no real property or leasehold, no estate inventory is needed if the social welfare board makes an estate notification to Skatteverket. The estate notification should be made within two months of the death.
12 kap. 5 § jordabalken (1970:994), checked 3 October 2026
If the tenancy agreement concerns a residential apartment, the tenant may always terminate the agreement to end at the end of a month that falls at least three months after notice is given.
12 kap. 5 § second paragraph jordabalken (1970:994), checked 3 October 2026
If the tenant has died, the estate may, within one month of the death, terminate the agreement to end at the end of a month that falls at least one month after notice is given. Where spouses or cohabitants rented jointly, the estate and the surviving partner hold this right together. If notice is given later, the first paragraph applies: at the earliest at the end of a month after three months.
12 kap. 34 § jordabalken (1970:994), checked 3 October 2026
The estate may transfer the tenancy to an estate beneficiary or another close relative who lived permanently with the tenant, if Hyresnämnden (the Regional Rent Tribunal) gives permission.
6 kap. 1 a § bostadsrättslag (1991:614), checked 3 October 2026
The estate of a tenant-owner may exercise the tenant-owner's rights without being a member of the association. Three years after the death, the association may ask the estate to show, within six months, that the tenant-owned apartment has been included in a division of property or distribution of the estate or acquired by someone who may not be refused membership. If the request is not complied with, the tenant-owned apartment may be sold by compulsory sale.