Property Management-Chatsworth

Hoarding–collecting excessive numbers of pets or possessions, is largely viewed as a mental illness related to obsessive compulsive disorder, according to the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation.

The person who hoards not only has a compulsion to acquire possessions, but also has an extremely difficult time disposing of unnecessary possessions.  As a result, the person’s home can become a dangerous place to be.

The phenomenon of hoarding has come to light recently due to a popular A&E reality show of the same name, which each week strives to educate viewers about the disorder and looks for ways to help those suffering from it.

An indication that a tenant is a hoarder is the fact that their possessions are outgrowing the space they have chosen to live in.

The typical lease agreement is silent on hoarding.  Refusing to rent to someone with the disorder, or who is perceived as having a mental disorder, charging the person a higher rent than other tenants, or evicting the person can all lead to allegations of discrimination.  However, there are a couple of provisions in a standard lease agreement that do provide rights to a landlord in this situation.

The most obvious problem with hoarding is violation of building and public safety codes by blocking emergency access to exits, windows and hallways, or interfering with proper ventilation in the rental unit, which can result in injuries or fire.

The items themselves could also be dangerous, as in the case of old ammunition, explosives, aerosol cans or perishable goods.

The clutter may encourage pest infestations.

If the tenant is breaking local fire, building or health ordinances, that is usually a violation of the rental agreement, and is often considered grounds to evict the tenant under local tenancy laws.

Determine whether the possessions are limited to the tenant’s unit and any assigned storage space.  Once belongings start to spill out into hallways, stairwells or other common areas, or the clutter causes odors or attracts pests, the hoarder has become a nuisance, which is usually grounds for an eviction either under the standard terms of the lease agreement, or under local tenancy laws.

If hoarding is damaging floors or walls, fixtures or furnishings owned by the landlord, interfering with the building systems, causing structural problems or otherwise devaluing the property, the landlord likely has the right to evict the tenant on those grounds.

While a landlord faced with a tenant who is hoarding could likely evict the tenant, the eviction process is costly and time-consuming, and may not be necessary in every case.

According to the IOCDF, the hoarder may not realize they have a problem.  Once they come to understand the safety and health issues, and especially in cases where they seek medical treatment, it is possible the situation can improve to the satisfaction of the landlord.

One alternative to eviction is to communicate a very specific set of rules regarding where belongings can or cannot be stored.  Enlist the help of your local building department, fire marshal, or your property insurance agent to draw the line — exactly how far back from doorways, hallways, windows or vents must the items be placed, what specific items are prohibited, and so forth. Base the rules on justifiable health and safety code standards.

Another possible solution, although only a temporary fix, is to locate more storage for the tenant, understanding that he or she is afraid to let go of possessions. Of course, this only works if the tenant is able to afford the additional storage charges.  Perhaps a family member could safely store some items in order to make the rental property safe.

If a landlord does try to work out the situation short of an eviction, it is wise to follow the same policy in every case to avoid discrimination claims.

This post is provided by Tenant Verification Service, Inc .Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.