Prohibited Items
Last updated: 19 August 2026
We look at everything in a house, but a small number of items cannot be included in a Sticker Sale, either because it is against the law to sell them, or because they need a licence, certificate, or safety check we cannot provide on the day. This page sets out what falls into that category, for homeowners preparing a house and buyers wondering what they will and will not find at a sale.
Items we cannot include in a sale
If any of the following are found in a property during our walkthrough, we will set them aside and talk to you about what to do with them. They will not be priced, stickered, or offered for sale.
Weapons and ammunition
- Firearms, air weapons, and ammunition of any kind
- Bladed or sharply pointed articles restricted under UK law, including flick knives, butterfly knives, and swords not covered by a recognised exemption
- Replica or imitation firearms that could be mistaken for the real thing
- CS gas, pepper spray, stun devices, or similar
Explosives, fuels, and hazardous substances
- Fireworks, flares, and other pyrotechnics
- Gas cylinders, camping gas canisters, and pressurised containers
- Petrol, paraffin, and other flammable fuels or solvents
- Asbestos or any item known or suspected to contain it
- Industrial or agricultural chemicals, pesticides, and unlabelled substances
Medicines and controlled substances
- Prescription and over the counter medicines of any kind
- Controlled drugs, or anything believed to be one
- Medical sharps, including used needles and syringes
Furniture and electrical items that fail a safety check
- Upholstered furniture without a permanent fire safety label, unless the item was made before 1 January 1950, which is exempt under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
- Cot mattresses, car seats, and other child safety equipment that is damaged, incomplete, or past its recommended lifespan
- Any item subject to an active manufacturer safety recall
- Electrical appliances with visibly damaged cabling, plugs, or casings
Where an item's fire label or safety documentation cannot be found, we will flag it to you rather than guess. Some older or vintage pieces can often be reupholstered or re-labelled if you would like to keep them for another use, just not sold through the sale.
Wildlife, ivory, and protected materials
- Ivory, unless it qualifies for a registered exemption under the Ivory Act 2018
- Items made from any species protected under CITES or UK wildlife law, including certain furs, shells, corals, and taxidermy, unless the correct paperwork is in place
Counterfeit, stolen, or unverifiable items
- Counterfeit or replica branded goods
- Anything we reasonably believe may be stolen, or where ownership cannot be confirmed
- Items subject to an ongoing dispute, such as a contested inheritance or a claim from a third party
Documents, remains, and personal items
- Passports, birth, marriage, and death certificates, and other official identity documents
- Human or animal remains or ashes
- Anything containing another person's personal or financial data that has not been cleared for release
If you are not sure whether something in the property falls into one of these categories, leave it where it is and mention it to us at the walkthrough. We would always rather check than guess.
What happens to excluded items
Anything excluded from a sale stays the homeowner's responsibility. Depending on the item, that might mean keeping it, arranging safe disposal yourselves, or, for anything requiring specialist handling such as hazardous substances or medical waste, contacting your local council or a licensed waste carrier. We are happy to point you in the right direction if you are unsure, but we are not able to remove or dispose of these items as part of a sale.
Our clearance add-on
For anything left over that was included in the sale but did not sell, our optional clearance service can take care of it. This does not extend to any of the categories above, which must be dealt with separately from the sale itself.
For homeowners preparing a house
You do not need to sort through every drawer before we arrive. Our team will flag anything that falls into one of these categories during the walkthrough, and talk you through the options. It helps if you can let us know in advance about anything you already suspect might be affected, such as an old gas heater, a collection of medicines, or a firearm kept for sentimental reasons, so we can plan for it properly.
Not sure about an item?
If you are preparing a house for a sale and want to check something in advance, get in touch and we will help you work it out.
Email: [email protected]