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Piling Up

How to Handle Hoarders

In 2009, the reality television show Hoarders debuted on A&E. Hoarders sought to document the real-life struggles of people who struggle with hoarding disorder, a mental illness that causes individuals to hold onto and “hoard” items, regardless of their actual value. The result, as Hoarders so aptly brings to light, is houses full of random objects, family heirlooms, and everything in between. In extreme cases—which are often those displayed on the show—these homes can become a physical health risk to hoarders and their families.

However, while Hoarders is still on TV today and has had a healthy 10-year run in its own right, it mostly explores scenarios in which the hoarder-in-question occupies a house or farm. What is not often discussed are the legalities surrounding a hoarder in a co-op or condo, and what such a scenario can mean for a manager. After all, a condo unit in New York City is as likely to have a hoarding resident as a house in Tennessee—what’s important is how management handles the situation to ensure both the tenant and the building itself remain as safe as possible.

The Basics

 Before diving into the logistics of management as it applies to hoarding, it’s important to understand the exact nature of hoarding disorder, so that one can best approach a tenant that displays tendencies. According to the American Psychiatric Association, an estimated two to six percent of the population suffer from hoarding disorder. Statistically it is more common in males than in females, often of an older age bracket—three times as many adults aged 55 to 94 are affected by hoarding disorder when compared to adults 34 to 44 years old.

Hoarding disorder can also be a result of other mental illnesses, such as depression, OCD, or ADHD. One of the hallmark signs that a tenant is suffering from hoarding disorder is distress at the idea of parting with items—even the most trivial items that others would categorize as junk. Often hoarders are extremely suspicious when newcomers enter their home or touch their things, although they have difficulty organizing or categorizing it themselves.

What’s especially important to emphasize here is that because hoarding disorder is a mental illness, it’s different for everyone, therefore requiring professional help on an individual basis. So while it’s certainly important for managers to keep their buildings safe and clean, management should work with tenants and refer them to an appropriate professional who can help increase their overall quality of life and mental health.

Cleaning House

With that being said, it’s time to approach a hoarding tenant and take action.

“In co-ops and condos, when you see hoarding of a nature that transcends a boundary, you must take steps to alleviate it,” said Jeffrey M. Heidings, president of Siren Management Corp. “In a co-op proprietary lease, there are provisions that state that a unit owner needs to keep their apartment in—and I don’t know the precise language, necessarily—‘inhabitable’ condition. The line is drawn at one, two, or both of the following conditions: items are being hoarded that are perishable and may attract vermin, or someone is overcrowding their apartment with flammable material. Either of these could beget tragedy, so you have to intervene at some point.”

Other hoarding-driven issues include water leaks, mold, and completely blocked walkways. And given the availability of every kind of item or piece of junk imaginable on New York City’s streets, hoarding issues can pile up very quickly.

However, while immediate action at the first less-than-savory smell emanating from a unit is necessary, its important to do so professionally and alongside the tenant, as often tenants who suffer from hoarding disorder may sue boards or management who dispose of their things without their consent. The first thing to remember is to never refer to a hoarder’s hoard as “junk,” “trash,” or a “mess.” Be compassionate and work with them—oftentimes hoarders are perfectly responsible, paying their rent on time and keeping to themselves—so it’s important to treat them like you would any other tenant.

From there, survey the unit and work with the tenant to determine which areas need the most work, emphasizing the health aspect of the issue. From there, work with the tenant to compose a signed written agreement. It’s important for this agreement to meet health and safety goals in a way that will not alienate the tenant, upset them, or treat them in a disrespectful manner. Ultimately it benefits not only you as a charitable human to help a tenant that suffers from hoarding disorder, but it helps the building as well—as helping an individual through their mental illness may prevent similar health and safety issues from arising again in the future.

From there, check-in to make sure that progress is being made and that a unit is being cleaned out.

The Bottom Line

Your building is not being featured on Hoarders, so this process will not occur within a drama-filled hour. The above approach may work in most cases, but in some it may not without the intervention of a tenant’s family, friends, or doctor. Keep in mind that hoarding is a real issue that not only affects your building; it affects the people who hoard themselves. Treat them with respect and work with them on both cleaning out their space and overcoming their hoarding disorder. Maybe stop watching Hoarders too while you’re at it.

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