Hoarders and what's NOT a hoarder.

Mountain Home, AR · Member since 2018 · 3 posts · 0 votes

So, bought a place that has a hoarder. Because they are on housing assistance, we want to give them a chance to clean up before we evict them. Yes, I know they probably won't and how I handle that is not the subject. I'm looking for some guidelines: if you had a hoarder and they sincerely wanted to mend their ways, what would your expectations be? What can I put in a letter to explain to them what I would need to see to make me believe they have repented from their hoarding addiction?

At this point, they have an 18" path through the unit for walking. It doesn't smell (miraculously), and while I have little faith that they'll meet guidelines, I do need to articulate some guidelines for them to fail.

So, what would you tell them they have to do?

Thanks!

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member

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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

As you said, they won't get better. If you want to try anyway:

Give them specific milestones to meet, hard deadlines, and consequences for failure. It's a big project, but I wouldn't stretch this more than 90 days because they are almost certain to fail.

Check back every 1-2 weeks with a deadline of 30 days to have the living room cleaned out.

Another 30 days to clean out the kitchen and bathroom.

Anther 30 days to clean out the remainder.

Failure to meet ANY deadline will result in a termination notice with 30 days to vacate or face eviction.

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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
5y
Well, the only right answer here is how would you want the house to be for a normal move-out? I expect a basically clean and empty house, Not spotless because you're going to go over it or have a crew come in, but just a basic clean with nothing left in the unit. Otherwise make it clear that you will have it emptied and cleaned and that they will get the bill passed on to them, with additional cost for any extra time you personally incurred on the problem.
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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
5y
Does the housing assistance office do inspections?
These people will never have a nice and tidy place. So you will ultimately have to remove them via eviction, cash for keys etc or live with someone that is paying the rent.
You may get someone else in that are not hoarders that stop paying the rent. So could go from bad to worse, it's a gamble.
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
5y
As you said, they won't get better. If you want to try anyway:
Give them specific milestones to meet, hard deadlines, and consequences for failure. It's a big project, but I wouldn't stretch this more than 90 days because they are almost certain to fail.
Check back every 1-2 weeks with a deadline of 30 days to have the living room cleaned out.
Another 30 days to clean out the kitchen and bathroom.
Anther 30 days to clean out the remainder.
Failure to meet ANY deadline will result in a termination notice with 30 days to vacate or face eviction.
The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
Website View Page
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Abby Weinstock
Lender · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2020 · 115 posts · 70 votes
5y
This article talks about the approach to tenant hoarding under the Fair Housing Act and you may find is very helpful.
In terms of safety and sanitation, waste must be disposed of in a timely manner, garbage must be properly stored, nothing can block safe egress, no storing of large amounts of material near stoves or heaters, no blocking of equipment that might need to be accessed for repair or maintenance, etc.
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Judy Conrad
OP
Mountain Home, AR · Member since 2018 · 3 posts · 0 votes
5y
Ok, so I know those things. They'll get 2 weeks to clean it up. We'll evict them, no problem. What I'm wanting is... what is clean? If they are to have a goal, what's that goal? 36" of walking space? fewer than 1000 magazines on the coffee table? I can find the coffee table? You don't have to jump to the bed? What would you tell them, even expecting them to fail, that's an objective objective. "Dirty" is subjective. So is "Clean." They might think they are clean because they don't have any roaches or dead bodies. How do I describe clean? I'm looking for standards to set for them to pass or fail without them saying, "It's clean!"
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Scott M.
Real Estate Broker · Rochester Hills, MI · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
5y
You are asking a question that frankly only you can answer. You don't want to hear "tell them to clean up or you will be evicted". You are asking is the goal of 36" of walking space or 100 magazines is good? As opposed to what? 24" and 200 Magazines.  Of course that is better but only you can say what is good for you.
Frankly, you are trying to be a mental health provider when you are a landlord. Hoarders, even part hoarders really don't get better, but don't believe me, believe yourself, you are the one that said it.
Hoarding is a mental health issue and needs a professional to treat and a willing (That last part is key) participant. We have had them before and both parties simply see two different things. What we see they don't. What they see we don't. We have called family members (emergency contacts) and in one case the city.
Maybe you want to help them through this mental health episode and more power to you but I think you should be asking on a mental health board not a real estate board.
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Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
5y
@Judy Conrad I would just say since they have only an 18 inch path that they have to have 70% of floor area cleared or something similar. For the kitchen be specific no combustibles within x feet, can't block stove. I believe the fire department wants 36 inches in a hallway for egress. I think @Abby Weinstock provided some helpful information. As far as clean I think it is a judgement call but timely removal of trash and dishes that don't overflow the sink might be a start. You might get the housing worker on board.
My sister in law had a neighbor where the town had to come in and demo the house it got so bad. It was sad. You need to know you may be fighting a losing battle..
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