At Midlands Biohazard, we carry out unattended death and after-death cleaning across Birmingham, for the situations that are hardest to face: a death that was not discovered for some time, with decomposition, fluids and strong odour to deal with. We decontaminate the property, remove what cannot be saved and treat the odour at its source, so the home can be handed on to family or a landlord.
This is delicate work and we treat it that way. We liaise sensitively with relatives, executors, landlords and letting agents, and our unmarked vans keep the matter private. Call us at any hour for a confidential, no-pressure assessment.
What is unattended death cleaning?
Unattended death cleaning is the specialist decontamination of a property after someone has died and been undiscovered for a period, so that decomposition fluids, insect activity and the accompanying odour are fully and safely removed. After a few days the human body releases fluids and gases that soak into flooring, subfloor, plaster and furniture, and that carry a real infection risk alongside the smell.
Because those fluids travel into porous materials, the work often means removing and disposing of carpet, underlay, floorboards or sections of plasterboard, then decontaminating and deodorising what remains. We manage all of it, and we are here to talk it through the moment you call.
What after-death cleaning do we provide in Birmingham?
We deal with the full aftermath of an unattended death in a Birmingham home, from a recent discovery to one where decomposition is well advanced. Each is assessed carefully, because the length of time and the summer heat in a closed flat make a real difference to how far contamination has spread.
- Decomposition clean-up: removal of decomposition fluids from floors, subfloors and surrounding materials.
- Odour removal: treating the source and the airborne odour with ozone and hydroxyl generators, not masking it.
- Porous material removal: lifting and disposing of contaminated carpet, flooring, plaster and furniture.
- Insect and pest treatment: dealing with the flies and larvae that follow decomposition.
- Full property decontamination: returning the home to a safe, clean and re-lettable or saleable state.
When is unattended death cleaning needed in Birmingham?
It is needed once the coroner has released the property and the deceased has been taken into care, but before family, executors or a landlord can begin to clear or re-let the home. Neither the coroner nor the funeral director cleans the property; that is left to whoever is responsible for it.
We are often called by relatives who live at a distance, by executors settling an estate, and by landlords and West Midlands housing associations who need a property made safe. Whatever the circumstances, ring us and we can attend quickly and discreetly.
How our after-death cleaning works
We work to a careful order that controls the odour and the biohazard together, and keeps unaffected parts of the home protected.
- We assess the property, identify how far fluids and odour have travelled, and set up containment.
- We remove decomposition fluids and any porous material they have soaked into, such as flooring, underlay and plaster.
- We clean and disinfect all affected structural surfaces with virucidal product.
- We deodorise the space at source using ozone or hydroxyl treatment, then re-treat until the air is clear.
- We confirm decontamination by inspection and ATP swabbing, and remove all waste as clinical waste.
- We hand the property back safe, with the disposal documentation for the estate or the insurer.
How long does unattended death cleaning take?
Where a death is discovered early, decontamination can often be completed in a single day. Where decomposition is advanced and fluids have reached the subfloor, the work more commonly runs across one to three days, particularly once flooring or plaster has to be lifted and replaced.
Odour treatment usually needs a further twenty-four to forty-eight hours to work fully, and sometimes a second visit to confirm the air has cleared. We set out a realistic plan after the assessment.
How much does unattended death cleaning cost in Birmingham?
Unattended death cleaning in Birmingham typically starts from around £900, and most jobs fall between £900 and £5,000. The figure is driven by how advanced the decomposition is, how much contaminated flooring, plaster and furniture must be removed and disposed of, and how much odour treatment the property needs.
We assess and quote free of charge, and we put the price in writing before any work starts. These cleans are frequently covered by buildings or contents insurance, and we can deal with the insurer and provide the reports and consignment notes required. Call us for a private assessment.
Who we help across Birmingham
We support bereaved families, executors and solicitors handling estates, private landlords, letting agents and housing associations throughout Birmingham and across Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Dudley, Walsall, Redditch and the wider West Midlands.
The property might be a flat in the city, a bungalow in Sutton Coldfield or a terraced house in Tamworth. Wherever it is, we bring the same care and the same discretion. Contact us whenever you are ready to talk.
The standards and waste rules we work to
We manage the biological hazards of decomposition under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and work to safe systems under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The contaminated materials we remove are clinical and hazardous waste. As an Environment Agency registered carrier we segregate to the correct waste codes and dispose of everything under the duty of care in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005, with a consignment note provided as proof.
Why choose Midlands Biohazard for after-death cleaning
This is the hardest cleaning there is, and it needs a team that is both competent and kind. Our technicians are trained in decomposition decontamination and blood-borne pathogen control, inoculated against hepatitis B, and equipped to remove porous materials and treat odour properly rather than paint over it.
We are local to Birmingham, fully insured and available at any hour, and we handle every family and every estate with patience and privacy. Call us and let us carry this part for you.
Unattended Death & After-Death Cleaning in Birmingham: frequently asked questions
Can you get rid of the smell completely?
Yes. We treat odour at its source, removing contaminated porous materials and using ozone or hydroxyl generators rather than masking agents, then re-treat until the air is genuinely clear.
Who is responsible for cleaning after an unattended death?
Once the coroner releases the property, responsibility falls to the family, the executor or the landlord. The coroner and funeral director do not clean the home, which is where we help.
Will you need to remove flooring?
Sometimes. When decomposition fluids have soaked into carpet, floorboards or subfloor, those materials cannot be disinfected in place and must be removed and replaced. We assess this at the start.
Is the visit private?
Completely. We use unmarked vehicles, keep the work confidential, and liaise sensitively with everyone involved across Birmingham and the West Midlands.