How Can You Control Hoarding in your Apartment Complex?

Property Management

There are several alarming concerns landlords and property managers face — most of which are caused by their tenants. These can include late payments for rent, personal disputes between their tenants, or perhaps significant damage to the property that requires major renovations. However, one of the most challenging problems landlords may encounter is when one of their tenants is suffering from a condition called hoarding disorder. 

Tenants who hoard and allow their clutter to occupy the community areas can cause other problems like bacteria and mold buildup, causing health issues to other tenants. Nonetheless, landlords and caretakers must consider a few things before resorting to a permanent solution, which is eviction. This article will guide you on the right conduct in dealing with tenants with a hoarding disorder. 

Hoarding Disorder Is a Condition

Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition characterized by difficulty or refusal to throw away, discard, dispose of, or part with certain possessions because of the persistent urge to save them. 2.5% of the American population experience this complex disorder, which can be difficult to treat. Hoarding disorders fall under the subtype of another mental health condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Thus, you have to be delicate in dealing with affected tenants as they may be experiencing anxiety and depression as well. They develop a dangerous level of emotional attachment to their possessions, which is why you cannot simply force them to throw them out instantly.

Moreover, traumatic life events may often lead to hoarding disorder. You have to be compassionate enough in dealing with the tenant instead of evicting them without prior notice (which is against the Fair Housing Act) or threatening them and giving them an ultimatum. This is not how landlords are supposed to be treating their tenants in general.