A simple disposal policy for a growing business
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A disposal policy should tell staff how to raise a candidate, who may approve the route and what evidence must remain afterwards. Keep it proportionate to the business and have the appropriate advisers review the legal and accounting aspects before adoption.
The outline below is an operational starting point. It deliberately leaves approval limits and named roles blank because those decisions belong to your organisation.
Editable policy outline
Purpose and scope. This policy covers [asset types, sites and entities]. Its owner is [role], and its review date is [date].
Identification. Staff may propose an asset for review using [record]. Proposals include identity, location, known ownership, present use and the reason for review. A proposal does not authorise a sale.
Ownership and restrictions. [Role] checks the available evidence, finance arrangements and third-party interests. Unresolved items remain on hold pending the appropriate answer.
Options. [Role] considers retention, internal redeployment and disposal using relevant evidence and costs. Internal requests must identify an accountable receiving person and decision date.
Approval. [Role or approval group] may approve [defined scope or threshold]. Exceptions require [named route]. No person may approve beyond their confirmed authority.
Sale instruction. [Role] appoints the agreed provider and records scope, terms, included items and approved changes. Staff refer unsolicited offers through this route.
Release. Assets leave only under the agreed payment, authority and site process, with the relevant evidence retained.
Records. [Role] updates the asset records and sends the required documents to [finance or adviser contact]. Retention and access follow [confirmed requirements].
Exceptions and review. Urgent cases, disputed ownership and conflicts of interest go to [route]. The policy owner reviews completed cases and unresolved items at [agreed interval].
Make the approval section usable
Use the internal-approval guide to define what evidence a decision needs. Avoid a policy that names a financial threshold without explaining which figure it means or what happens when value is uncertain.
Where assets have more than one owner, keep the instruction and records for each entity identifiable. A group-wide policy should not imply authority to sell another entity's property without confirmation.
Connect the last steps to finance
Use the accountant handover checklist to specify the practical record pack. Ask advisers to confirm the treatment and retention requirements for your circumstances instead of copying a universal tax rule into the policy.
The policy is more useful when paired with a recurring surplus review. The review finds candidates and follows actions; the policy supplies the authority and record rules.
UK Auction Group can discuss disposal arrangements for approved assets. Share the relevant instruction and reporting requirements so the external sale process fits the business's own controls.
Explore the surplus and relocation guides.
Sources
This guide gives general information. Equipment-specific, legal, tax and safety decisions may need a qualified adviser or competent specialist. The guides do not promise sale prices, fees or results.