‘My Neighbour is a Hoarder’ -What Can You Do?

Living in a tight-knit community can be a wonderful experience, but it also means we have to navigate various challenges that arise from time to time. One such challenge is dealing with a neighbour who is a hoarder.

Hoarding is a complex issue that can have serious implications for the hoarder and their neighbours alike.

Hoarding is a complex behavioural disorder characterised by the excessive acquisition of items, an inability to discard possessions, and a persistent difficulty in organising and maintaining living spaces.

This behaviour often leads to the accumulation of clutter, which can negatively impact a person’s living conditions, relationships, and overall well-being.

Hoarding is often associated with underlying mental health issues and can pose health and safety risks to both the hoarder and those around them.

In this blog post, we will explore the steps you can take if you find yourself in a situation where your neighbour is a hoarder.

Identifying Hoarding Behaviour

Before you take any action, it’s crucial to understand what hoarding is and how to identify hoarding behaviour.

Hoarding is characterised by the excessive accumulation of items, often leading to clutter and difficulty discarding possessions.

Some common signs and symptoms of hoarding include:

1. Extreme clutter: Hoarders often have difficulty organising and maintaining their living spaces. Their homes may be filled with items such as newspapers, clothes, or even trash, making it challenging to move around safely.
2. Distress and anxiety: Hoarders often experience distress or anxiety at the thought of discarding possessions, even if those items have little or no practical value.
3. Social isolation: Hoarding can lead to social withdrawal, as individuals may feel embarrassed or ashamed about the condition of their homes.
4. Health and safety hazards: Hoarding can create health and safety risks, such as fire hazards, pest infestations, and unsanitary living conditions.

Understanding the difference between clutter and hoarding is essential.

While clutter can be temporary and easily resolved, hoarding is a more persistent and deeply ingrained behaviour that may require professional intervention.

Issues Associated With Your Neighbour Being A Hoarder

Living next to a hoarding neighbour can present various risks and challenges, both for the hoarder and the surrounding community.

Some of the risks associated with having hoarding neighbours include:

Fire Hazards:

Hoarded items often create clutter and can block pathways, making it challenging to escape in case of a fire.

The accumulation of combustible materials and blocked exits can increase the risk of fires and make it difficult for firefighters to access the property.

Structural Damage:

The weight of accumulated items can put a significant strain on a hoarder’s home, potentially leading to structural damage over time.

This can result in costly repairs and pose risks to the stability of the property.

Health Hazards:

Hoarding can create unsanitary living conditions, attracting pests like rodents and insects.

The accumulation of trash and debris can lead to mould growth and other health hazards, exacerbating respiratory problems and allergies among neighbours.

Pest Infestations:

Hoarding often creates conditions that are ideal for pest infestations.

Infestations can easily spread to neighbouring properties, causing financial and health concerns for those living nearby.

Odours and Nuisances:

The stench of rotting food, waste, or other items can permeate the surroundings, causing unpleasant odours that negatively affect the quality of life for neighbours.

Hoarding can also attract unwanted attention from local authorities or media, which can be distressing for those living nearby.

Mental Health Concerns:

Hoarding neighbours may experience deteriorating mental health due to the stress and isolation associated with their hoarding behaviour.

This can manifest in erratic or unpredictable behaviour that may cause anxiety or fear in others.

Social Isolation:

Hoarders often become socially isolated, leading to strained relationships with neighbours.

This isolation can be distressing for both the hoarder and neighbours who may be concerned about their well-being.

Property Values:

The presence of a hoarding situation in the neighbourhood can negatively impact property values.

Neighbours may find it challenging to sell their homes or refinance them due to the stigma associated with living near a hoarder.

Legal and Regulatory Issues:

Local authorities may intervene in hoarding cases if they pose a risk to public safety or well-being.

This could lead to legal action or fines for the hoarder, potentially affecting the relationship between neighbours.

Community Disruption:

Hoarding situations can disrupt the sense of community within a neighbourhood.

Neighbours may become divided over how to address the issue, which can strain relationships and create tension.

Neighbours need to approach hoarding situations with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to helping when possible.

Addressing hoarding as a community concern and seeking appropriate professional assistance can mitigate some of these risks and help improve the overall well-being of everyone involved.

The Legal Aspect in the UK

In the United Kingdom, there are laws and regulations in place to address hoarding situations.

Local authorities and housing associations have responsibilities when it comes to addressing hoarding behaviour:

1. Environmental Health Officers (EHOs): These professionals play a crucial role in identifying and addressing hoarding cases. They can conduct inspections and work with hoarders to ensure their homes are safe and habitable.
2. Housing Acts: The Housing Acts in the UK provide a legal framework for addressing housing conditions, including those related to hoarding. Local authorities may use these acts to address hoarding situations.
3. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs): In extreme cases where hoarding behaviour causes harm or distress to neighbours, local authorities may use ASBOs to impose restrictions on the hoarder.

The main laws that relate to hoarders include:

• The Care Act 2014
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Public Health Act 1936
• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014

My Neighbour Is A Hoarder, What Can I Do?

Step 1 – Approaching Your Hoarding Neighbour

If you suspect that your neighbour is a hoarder, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding.

You need to remember that hoarding is a mental illness so you need to approach the issue with care.

Here are some tips for initiating a conversation with your neighbour about their hoarding:

1. Choose the right time: Find a suitable time to talk when both you and your neighbour are calm and not in a hurry.
2. Express concern, not judgment: Use “I” statements to convey your feelings and concerns. For example, say, “I’ve noticed a lot of clutter in your home, and I’m worried about your safety,” rather than making accusatory statements.
3. Offer support: Let your neighbour know that you are there to support them. Hoarding is often associated with underlying mental health issues, and your empathy can make a significant difference.
4. Respect boundaries: Be prepared for resistance and understand that your neighbour may not be ready to seek help immediately. Respect their boundaries and offer your assistance when they are ready.

Step 2 – Seeking Professional Help

Encouraging your hoarding neighbour to seek professional help is a crucial step in addressing the issue.

Here’s how you can approach this:

1. Provide information: Share resources and information about local mental health services and support groups. Offer to assist them in finding the right resources.
2. Accompany them: If your neighbour is willing, accompany them to appointments with mental health professionals. Your presence can provide emotional support.
3. Be patient: Understand that seeking help for hoarding can be a long and challenging process. Be patient and supportive throughout their journey.

In the UK many organisations may be able to help your neighbour, such as Hoarding Support or Hoarding UK.

Step 3 – Involving Local Authorities

There may come a point when reporting your neighbour to the local authorities or housing associations becomes necessary.

Here’s what you should know about this process:

1. When to involve authorities: If the hoarding situation poses immediate health or safety risks, or if your neighbour is unwilling to cooperate with efforts to address the problem, it may be time to involve local authorities.
2. Reporting a hoarding situation: Contact your local council or housing association to report the hoarding situation. Provide as much information as possible, including the address, your observations, and your concerns.
3. Environmental Health Officers: EHOs may conduct inspections and assessments of the hoarder’s property. They will work with the hoarder to develop a plan to address the hoarding behaviour and ensure the property is safe and habitable.

I have a separate article on the information you need and how to make a complaint to the environmental health department.

Step 4 – Building Community Support

Dealing with a hoarding neighbour is not something you have to face alone.

Encourage other neighbours to come together and support one another:

1. Form a neighbourhood support group: Create a group of concerned neighbours who can share information, resources, and strategies for addressing hoarding in your community.
2. Share resources: Pool your knowledge and resources to help your hoarding neighbour access the assistance they need, whether it’s professional cleaning services or mental health support.
3. Educate the community: Raise awareness about hoarding in your community to reduce stigma and increase understanding. This can make it easier for hoarders to seek help without fear of judgment.

Is Hoarding A Safeguarding Issue?

Hoarding can be considered a safeguarding issue in the UK, particularly when it involves vulnerable individuals who may be at risk due to their hoarding behaviour. Safeguarding refers to the process of protecting individuals’ health, well-being, and human rights, particularly those who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or harm.

Hoarding can become a safeguarding concern for several reasons:

1. Health and Safety Risks: Hoarding can create unsafe living conditions, including fire hazards, pest infestations, and blocked escape routes. These conditions can pose significant health and safety risks to the hoarder and others in the vicinity.
2. Mental Health: Hoarding is often associated with underlying mental health issues, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or depression. When a hoarder’s mental health is compromised, it can impact their ability to make informed decisions about their living conditions and overall well-being.
3. Social Isolation: Hoarding behaviour can lead to social isolation, as individuals may withdraw from friends and family due to embarrassment or shame about their living conditions. Social isolation can exacerbate mental health issues and limit the person’s access to support.
4. Neglect: In cases where a vulnerable adult or elderly person is hoarding and unable to adequately care for themselves due to the clutter and unsanitary conditions, it may be considered a form of self-neglect, which is a safeguarding concern.

Local authorities, social services, and environmental health officers in the UK have a role in addressing hoarding cases as safeguarding issues.

They may conduct assessments and interventions to ensure the safety and well-being of the hoarder and, if necessary, involve mental health professionals.

Concerned neighbours and community members need to report hoarding situations if they believe someone’s health or safety is at risk.

Reporting to the local council or adult safeguarding services can lead to appropriate interventions and support for the hoarder.

The goal is to balance the individual’s autonomy and choice with their safety and well-being, taking a personal and supportive approach when addressing hoarding as a safeguarding issue.

I have a separate article on what do if you are concerned about a neighbours welfare that might be helpful.

Final Thoughts About Hoarding Neighbours

Dealing with a hoarding neighbour in the UK can be a challenging and sensitive matter, but it’s essential to address it for the well-being of both the hoarder and the community.

Sadly, ‘my neighbour is a hoarder’ is a commonly searched query but as we have seen there are steps that you can take to try and improve the situation.

By approaching the situation with empathy, seeking professional help when needed, and building a supportive community, you can make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by hoarding.

Remember that change may take time, but with patience and persistence, positive outcomes are possible.