Unfortunately, new and veteran landlords fall victim to a hoarder. This article will address how to deal with a hoarder, explain what hoarding is, and lastly what steps a landlord needs to take to address it correctly. Be advised, this blog article is written from a non-attorney perspective and it does not substitute one either. We strongly encourage you to always seek out legal representation for any and all necessary legal advice.
With that being said – what is hoarding?
Hoarding 101
Hoarding is when a person has a persistent difficulty with throwing away, discarding, and/or parting with his or her possessions.
These individuals have a burning desire to save these things. For some people that are hoarders, they may save anything and everything.
Hoarding is when thoughts turn into action and form a repetitive behavior. Some health professionals call a hoarder someone that may be dealing with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This disorder means that an individual is collecting material possessions without regard to its actual value. But be aware, hoarding is considered by health practitioners to be a feature of and/or develop along with a mental illness sadly. These could include dementia or schizophrenia.
Is Hoarding that common?
Not really, a hoarding disorder is fairly uncommon. It represents only 2 to 6 percent of society's population. Further, medical research has found that it is more frequently found in men versus women. With that being said, hoarding is a genetic issue and medical researchers believe it is passed down in the family genetics thus inherited from the parent's genes.
Yet, not everyone with a 'messy' home is a hoarder. Some people are lazy and live in a house loaded with clutter. Keep in mind, sometimes when you (the landlord) inspect your property and walk into a messy room or rooms, it could be a sign of depression. A messy room could represent a sign of hopelessness, lack of concentration, and/or fatigue.
What types of Hoarders are there?
Well, there are a few different types of hoarders. The first type is the 'collector', he or she collects things from newspapers to specific items that they find a compulsion to collect. The second type is the 'non-wasters', this person believes at some point in the future they will need that item, so, therefore, they save it.
The next type of hoarder is the 'over-sentimental' individual, they can have an unrealistic bond to something and feel very emotional about parting with it. My less-favorite is the ‘animal hoarder’ because they want to save every dog or cat possible, so they set up their home into a makeshift animal shelter. But, sadly these people don't have the necessary resources to keep up with animals or the means to keep their property clean either. Therefore, the animals need to be re-rescued and re-homed for their safety, Numerous times, animal control is called into a hoarder's home and find animal so sick they often need to be euthanized. There are other more traditional hoarders but these are the most distinctive.
How do I deal with this situation as a landlord?
If you walk into a property that is extremely messy and questionably unlivable. I recommend the following steps:
Make notes of everything. This includes but not limited to taking pictures, videos, writing notes that dated and time-stamped and bringing a witness with you to attest to the hoarding situation.
Try to offer help. Sometimes a landlord is best served to first offer help to the tenant. This olive branch maybe what a depressed individual needs. You may want to offer some counseling options as well. Lastly, by offering a hand to clean-up is the first step to seeing if the tenant does not have a mental disorder. Normal tenants will agree to help with cleaning things up but a hoarder will not agree to this.
Send them notice by Certified Mail. Have the tenant sign for the notice letter. This letter should be written by your attorney with approval by yourself and your property management company if you have one. It should generally cover the responsible of the tenant to clean up the property or possibly face eviction. Hence, the need for an attorney.
Execute an eviction. This is never fun for a landlord and it is costly too. An eviction will need to be done correctly, so have your attorney and/or your property management company take over this. And wait for the news that they have been removed from your property.
After the eviction, clean up your property so it is suitable to be re-rented.
Hoarding Clean Up
Good news, this is where we come in! Let it go junk removal is a company with years of experience when it comes to hoarding clean up projects. This type of clean is an in-depth, involved process which requires experienced professionals that can come into the property and get real results you need.
Hoarder clean outs for landlords and property management companies is regularly requested. We in demand for this type of removal project is because it’s so extensive.
About Our Hoarding Clean Up Process
Any level of hoarding clean up needs actionable planning, the right sort of equipment, and execution. That’s where we come into help you.
Our company process is first talking to the landlord to understand what they want to have done. We listen and listen some more. Our goal is to be on the same page with you.
Hoarding clean up is all about taking the right approach with the property owner. It requires attention to detail and awareness of the levels of filth. Our crew is good at cleaning up after hoarders. They are well-versed in this type of work. Moreover, our hoarding clean up experts know how to handle bio-hazard debris, various other types of hazardous materials, and much more.
Hoarding clean up takes special care simply because of its very nature. Health and safety hazards abound in the typical hoarding environment, meaning this work is better left to seasoned professionals.
We have the right equipment, the experience, and the manpower to deliver results. Our crew will also aid in coordinating recycling plus shredding, when needed. When it comes to hoarding clean up, there is no better solution. Rely on our caring team members for a top-notch experience and the most achievable results possible.
Our company not only helps with hoarding clean up projects, but we also offer a number of helpful services, like the following:
Home Junk Removal
Furniture Removal
Carpet Removal
Garage Cleaning Service
Hot Tub & Spa Removal
Shed Removal
Fire Damage Cleanup
Flood Damage Cleanup and Hauling
Attic Clean Outs
Crawl Space Clean Outs
Construction Site Cleanups
Bed Bug Infested Furniture Removal
Garage Clean Outs
Estate Home Clean Outs
Business & Office Junk Removal
Office Clean Outs
Office Furniture Removal
Business Merchandise Removal
Office Equipment Removal
Warehouse Clean out
Property Clean Outs
Property Clean outs
Hoarder Clean Up
Property Clean Up
Storage Unit Clean Outs
Boat Removal
RV Removal & Disposal
Property Management Requested Clean Outs
Debris Removal Cleanup and Hauling
Garbage Clean Up & Disposal
Homeless Camp Cleanup
Commercial Junk Removal
Commercial Junk Removal
Foreclosure Clean Out
Storm Debris Clean Up
Construction Remodeling Debris Removal
Dismantle Request & Removal Services
Illegal Dumping Clean Up
When you need a quality and knowledgeable team to handle your hoarding clean up needs, that is where we come in. We get the job done right and for a fair price. Our friendly and professional junk removal experts go where you need them and when you need them. We will work to get the job completed from start to finish because you are hiring us so you don’t have to lift a finger.
If you have a damaged car in your garage and want to sell it, always choose a professional and trusted junk car removal company because they give you genuine cost for your vehicle.