An emergency clearance is a clearance that cannot wait: the handover date is fixed, notice has been given on the flat after a death, or everything has to go after water damage. We clear, dispose of everything properly and hand over swept clean. This page explains how quickly that can be done and what it costs.
In short
Call us and give the address, floor, number of rooms and deadline. If a team is free, we clear the same day; if not, we name the next free slot. Billing is by working time and disposal volume, and emergency jobs carry a surcharge. All amounts are stated in the quote before you accept.
When a clearance becomes an emergency
| Situation | What matters |
|---|---|
| Handover in a few days and the flat is still full | Tell us the date and whether cleaning is needed afterwards: emergency cleaning. |
| A death, and the notice period is running | First clarify who is entitled to decide about the estate: clearing a flat after a death. |
| Water damage or fire | Photograph the damage and ask the insurer before anything is disposed of. |
| A heavily cluttered flat, and the property manager has set a deadline | We plan more time and staff for this: clearing a hoarder’s flat. |
| Tenants have moved out and left furniture behind | The property manager places the order and confirms that clearing is permitted. |
| Cellar, attic or garage have to be empty at once | We empty individual rooms as a junk removal job. |
Clearance after an eviction: what property managers need to know
If a tenant does not move out despite valid notice, the landlord may not clear the flat on their own authority. The clearance has to be carried out by the competent authority (Beobachter legal dictionary, “Räumung”, in German).
In the city of Zurich, the Stadtammannamt (city enforcement office) enforces the eviction. The landlord submits the enforceable eviction decision there; the city reckons with up to four weeks from the application to enforcement. The city’s storage service keeps the goods for up to one month. Disposal of waste and of unusable and worthless items is usually left to the property manager (City of Zurich, eviction from rented premises, in German).
Property managers can commission us for this last part: we clear what remains in the flat after official enforcement, dispose of it properly and hand over swept clean. We work only on behalf of the owner or property manager, and only once the flat has been released by the authority. Outside the city of Zurich other offices are responsible; what counts is the office named in the eviction decision.
Are you facing eviction yourself and need a vehicle or storage before the date? Then call us: emergency move, emergency storage.
The full procedure, comparing Zurich with an Aargau decision: eviction and clearance – procedure for property managers.
How an emergency clearance works
- Call: address, floor, scope and deadline.
- Photos, video call or a short survey.
- Quote with working time, disposal and emergency surcharge.
- You decide what stays. We clear everything else.
- Disposal sorted by material, handover swept clean.
Documents, jewellery, cash and other valuables that we find while clearing are handed over to you.
What an emergency clearance costs
The price has two parts: the team’s working time, charged for the time actually worked, and disposal by volume.
- One vehicle with two people costs CHF 225 to 260 per hour, depending on the job. A flat fee of CHF 190 per vehicle and job is added for the vehicle, fuel and the journey there and back (within the region; longer distances as quoted).
- For disposal we reckon with CHF 40 to 50 per cubic metre, depending on the material.
- We charge a minimum of 3 hours.
These rates include VAT. On request we quote a fixed price after the free survey that includes everything, VAT too.
Emergency jobs carry a surcharge on top; its amount is stated in the quote. Typical prices by flat size and a calculator are available under clearance costs. You can pay by TWINT, in cash or by invoice.
What we do not take and what takes longer
- We do not transport gas cylinders or flammable liquids. Where to take them is explained in the guide disposing of bulky waste, appliances and hazardous waste.
- Disposal sites have opening hours. If we clear in the evening or at the weekend, we dispose of everything as soon as they are open again.
- Single items over 100 kg such as safes or pianos need more staff; we charge a surcharge for them.
- Everything we clear is disposed of. We do not credit furniture against the price and we do not arrange donations.
After the clearance
The rooms are swept clean. If the flat has to be cleaned or painted for the handover, we do that afterwards: end-of-tenancy cleaning with handover guarantee and painting work.
Parking for the moving van when time is short
Reserving parking takes notice: in the city of Zurich at least 7 working days for the blue zone and 3 for the white zone, in Baden 5 working days, with the Wettingen-Limmattal regional police (including Spreitenbach, Wettingen, Neuenhof) 10 working days. In an emergency that is rarely enough. What still works:
- Loading is not parking. Where only a no-parking sign applies, loading and unloading is allowed as long as we are actually loading and do not obstruct traffic. Under a no-stopping sign only if the plate «Güterumschlag gestattet» (loading permitted) is added.
- Pavement: without a sign or marking, a vehicle may only stop there to load or unload – and only if nobody is obstructed.
- Private space: courtyard access, visitor parking or the forecourt of the building. Ask the property management – on request we ask for you.
- Shorter route: a smaller vehicle closer to the entrance or a furniture lift. A longer carrying distance takes time; we tell you before the job.
- Ask the police early: the responsible office sometimes helps at short notice – nobody can promise it. On request we call them.
Sources (read in October 2026): City of Zurich, parking reservation, City of Baden, traffic permits, Wettingen-Limmattal regional police, Canton of Basel-Stadt, loading, Canton of Bern, parking leaflet (Art. 30 SSV, Art. 19 and 41 VRV).
Clearance in the Brugg area: team member loading the vehicle 
Clearance in the Brugg area: household goods in bags and furniture in the vehicle 
Clearance in the Brugg area: fully loaded vehicle 
Truck with rubbish bags and furniture from a flat clearance 
Two team members unloading crates at the collection point 
Cargo space with armchairs, bins and furniture dollies from a clearance
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can you clear?
The same day if a team is free. Otherwise we tell you on the phone when the next free slot is.
What does an emergency clearance cost?
Working time as actually spent, disposal by volume and an emergency surcharge. All amounts are stated in the quote before you accept.
Do I have to be present during the clearance?
No, provided it is clear beforehand what stays. You can hand the key over to us.
What happens to documents and valuables?
Whatever we find is handed over to you or to the person who placed the order.
Do you also clear in the evening?
Yes, until 10 pm. With your neighbours’ consent we work until midnight.
Do you also clear on Sundays or public holidays?
By prior arrangement. Ask on the phone what is possible for your job.
As a landlord, may I have a flat cleared if the tenant does not move out?
Not on your own authority. The clearance has to be carried out by the competent authority; in the city of Zurich the Stadtammannamt enforces the eviction.
Do you clean the flat after the clearance?
Yes, on request with end-of-tenancy cleaning and handover guarantee.
Do you offer express clearance?
Yes, as an emergency clearance: the same day if a team is free – otherwise we give you the next free slot on the phone. It is charged like any clearance by time and volume or at a fixed price on request, plus an emergency surcharge – the amount is in the quote before you agree.
Sources
- City of Zurich: Ausweisung aus Mieträumen (in German)
- Beobachter legal dictionary: Räumung (updated 25 July 2025, in German)
Related services
- Clearance and disposal
- Apartment clearance
- Estate clearance
- Hoarder home clearance
- Junk removal for cellars, attics and garages
- How much does a clearance cost?
More emergency help
- Emergency service – All short-notice jobs at a glance: what we commit to, what we need and what it costs.
- Emergency move – Moving at short notice: on the phone you find out at once which slot is free.
- Emergency cleaning – End-of-tenancy cleaning before the handover when time is short – with handover guarantee.
- Emergency storage – Furniture collected and stored at once when the new flat is not free yet.
- Emergency plan – Enter your situation and deadline – you get the order of the steps and a ready-made message to us.
- Emergency quote – Request in writing if you cannot phone right now – a few details are enough.
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