Selling a Stairlift After a Bereavement

There is no rush to do anything about a stairlift after a bereavement. The lift can stay where it is until you are ready, rented lifts are collected free by the provider when you get in touch, and owned lifts can be sold, donated or professionally removed at whatever pace suits you. This page walks through the options gently, so you can deal with it once, when the time is right.

Key takeaways

• There is no deadline; the stairlift can stay in place for months without any problem
• Rented stairlifts are normally collected free by the provider
• Owned stairlifts can be sold (typically £100 to £500 for a working straight lift), donated, or removed for £80 to £300
• Buy-back companies usually include removal when they purchase a lift
• Providers are generally flexible and considerate in bereavement situations

First: there is no right or wrong timing

Practical decisions can wait until things feel manageable. Nothing about a stairlift deteriorates by staying on the stairs, and no provider expects an immediate call. Some families deal with it in the first week; others leave it a year. Both are fine.

The first thing to check: rented or owned?

Everything that follows depends on this one question. Paperwork, bank statements showing a monthly payment, or a phone call to the supplier named on the lift will tell you.

If the stairlift was rented

Contact the rental provider when you feel ready. Removal is normally included in the agreement at no cost, and providers deal with bereavement situations regularly and tend to handle them kindly. You may be asked to give notice and agree a collection date; many providers shorten or waive notice periods in the circumstances, and it is always worth asking.

If the stairlift was owned

You have four options, and no obligation to pick quickly.

Selling it

Working straight stairlifts under about ten years old typically fetch £100 to £500 from buy-back companies, who almost always include removal in the price, which deals with both jobs at once. Our sell a stairlift guide explains the process, and stairlift valuation shows what different models fetch. Curved lifts are harder to sell because the rail was built for that staircase, though the seat and motor can still have value.

Donating it

Some charities and community equipment services accept working stairlifts, depending on type and condition. Donating a stairlift covers who takes them and how collection works.

Professional removal

A stairlift company can remove the lift and leave the staircase safe and tidy, usually within a few hours. Expect £80 to £300 depending on the lift type, with wall repairs sometimes extra. Some firms reduce or waive fees in compassionate circumstances. Our removal guide explains what to expect, and who can remove a stairlift compares the options.

Disposal or recycling

If the lift is old or faulty and has no resale value, scrapping or disposing of it through a professional keeps it simple; the metal is recyclable.

If the property is being sold or cleared

Estate agents differ on whether a stairlift helps or hinders a sale, so ask yours before removing anything; for some buyers it is a selling point. If it does need to come out before completion, professional removal avoids damaged walls that then need repair before exchange. Where probate is involved, a sold stairlift becomes part of the estate’s assets, which is worth noting for the records.

What removal involves on the day

The engineer disconnects the power, removes the chair and rail, and unbolts the track from the stair treads. The fixings leave small holes in the treads, not the wall, since stairlifts mount to the stairs. Most removals take one to three hours and the staircase is usable immediately afterwards.

Let someone else handle it if you prefer

Any family member or friend can ring providers and arrange things on your behalf; companies are used to it. All they need is the paperwork or the brand name from the lift itself.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to act quickly?

No. There is no legal, safety or practical deadline. Take the time you need.

The lift was rented; what do we owe?

Normally nothing beyond any agreed notice period. Collection is included in standard agreements, and providers are often flexible about notice in the circumstances.

Can we sell it?

Yes, once you are entitled to deal with the belongings. Working straight lifts typically fetch £100 to £500 with removal included by the buyer.

What does removal cost if we just want it gone?

£80 to £300 professionally, sometimes reduced in compassionate circumstances. Free if a buy-back firm is purchasing the lift.

When you are ready to look at options, the sell a stairlift hub and the stairlift removal guide cover everything above in more depth, at whatever pace suits.