Tenant screening is a crucial part of choosing the right person for your rental property. However, it doesn’t always catch everything. For instance, a person with a hoarding disorder may seem like the average renter. However, when you enter their apartment for an inspection, you may be shocked at how many items they’ve kept piling up on their floors. Today, we’ll review what hoarding is, how it impacts rentals, what signs to watch for, and what to do if your tenant is a hoarder.
Contents of This Article:
- What Is Hoarding?
- Why Is Hoarding Bad for Rentals?
- Signs Your Tenant Is a Hoarder
- What Can Landlords Do About It?
- How to Protect Your Properties
What Is Hoarding?
Thanks to modern reality television, you may know what hoarding is and what it looks like. However, it’s not always like what you see on TV and can be different for each individual case. That said, it’s important for landlords and property managers in Richmond to understand hoarding, how it may impact rentals, and what they can do if they find out a tenant suffers from hoarding disorder.
Hoarding is a mental health condition that causes people to acquire and store large amounts of items. According to the American Psychiatric Association, people with hoarding disorder have difficulty getting rid of possessions due to a perceived need to save them. That said, there’s a major difference between collecting and hoarding.
Collectors intentionally acquire items related to a theme or interest and store them neatly in a way they can enjoy. While they may also have emotional attachments to their items, collectors can typically let go of items without severe distress.
On the other hand, hoarders excessively accumulate items, regardless of their value or functionality. Because of their excessive and unorganized nature, these items often lead to disorganized and cluttered living spaces.
Why Is Hoarding Bad for Rentals?
Hoarding can be problematic for rental properties for several reasons. While you may think it’s just an excessive amount of useless items, it can be a lot more than that. These piles of possessions can cause numerous issues and may even violate a lease agreement. Here are some of the main reasons hoarding can impact rental properties.
- Potential Pest Problems- Pile-ups of items like old mail, magazines, or books appeal to mice who use these items to make nests. However, it doesn’t stop there–these piles of items can also bring in bedbugs, fleas, and other unwanted pests.
- Fire Hazards- With things piled up and electrical outlets blocked, a fire can quickly damage a rental unit. Additionally, if a fire happens in the rental unit, piles of debris can make it difficult for firefighters to rescue the occupants.
- Plumbing Issues- With items piled up in and around the bathroom, chances are either something will clog the toilet or the plumbing may break. That
said, a backed-up toilet or bathtub can lead to larger issues, like poor air quality and structural damage. - Poor Sanitation- Those who suffer from hoarding disorder may hoard animals. As you can imagine, this can cause a plethora of issues, from pests and mold to air quality issues. Additionally, if the animals aren’t being properly cared for, they may start relieving themselves around the home, leading to odors, damage, and other issues.
- Neighbor Complaints- Hoarding can lead to unpleasant odors, pest infestations that impact other properties, and issues that may disturb neighbors–especially in an apartment complex.
- Safety Hazards- As a landlord, you are responsible for keeping your rental unit safe and habitable according to state sanitary codes. If your tenant is unable to keep their unit clean and safe, you may have to evict them for safety violations.
Signs Your Tenant Is a Hoarder
Hoarding can be extremely complicated, and each person is different. However, some of the major warning signs are obvious disorganization and unwillingness to allow others into their unit. After all, many hoarders feel shameful about their actions and might resist having other people in their unit. That said, as a landlord, you can enter the unit for inspections or maintenance as long as you give proper notice.
Some other signs that may indicate your tenant is a hoarder include the following.
- Clutter seen through windows or outside of a rental unit
- Strong odors in or around the unit
- Sightings of pests in or around the unit
- Complaints from neighbors about clutter or smells
- Excessive accumulation of unusual items
- Unresolved maintenance issues
What Can Landlords Do About It?
If you notice that your tenant is a hoarder, you may feel like eviction is the only option. However, sometimes, it’s not an option. Knowing how The Fair Housing Act plays a part in your ability to handle these scenarios is crucial. After all, hoarding is a mental health disorder, meaning individuals cannot be discriminated against due to their disability. So, here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your properties.
- Communicate With Compassion and Empathy
- Understand the Legal Framework
- Establish a Cleanliness Clause
- Keep Detailed Records of Everything
- Offer Mental Health Resources
- Consider Legal Action if Necessary
- Prevent Future Issues
Communicate With Compassion and Empathy
Tenants with hoarding disorder may be embarrassed and avoid discussing their condition. As such, landlords or property managers should approach conversations with kindness and focus on showing concern for their well-being and the property’s condition.
Understand Legal Implications
Hoarding disorder is a protected disability covered under the Fair Housing Act, meaning landlords must avoid discriminating against tenants based on their disability. However, if their hoarding issue is causing major issues with your property, you may need to take legal action.
Establish a Cleanliness Clause
To avoid any major issues from the start, clearly outline your expectations for cleanliness and maintenance in the lease agreement. Any clauses you add regarding cleanliness must be reasonable and aligned with local health and safety standards. Additionally, tenants need to understand their responsibilities from the start of their tenancy.
Keep Detailed Records of Everything
It’s crucial to keep records of all communications related to a tenant’s hoarding issue, including any notices you send, inspections, and agreements made. Additionally, take photos during any inspections to document the property’s condition. This can be crucial if legal action becomes necessary for any reason.
Offer Mental Health Resources
Just like any mental health condition, it’s hard to understand it unless you struggle with it yourself. Hoarding disorder is just the same. So, if you know that your tenant is struggling, see what you can do to help them, whether it’s sharing resources for local mental health services or encouraging professional cleaning services to help clean up their space.
Consider Legal Action if Necessary
If a tenant’s hoarding presents severe health or safety issues and the tenant refuses to cooperate, it may be time to consult with legal professionals to learn your options. If you decide to proceed with eviction, ensure all steps comply with local landlord-tenant laws and Fair Housing Act guidelines.
Prevent Future Issues
Thorough tenant screening measures are crucial to prevent tenant hoarding. During a screening, look for signs of potential hoarding behavior without violating the Fair Housing Act. Additionally, lease agreements should be reviewed and updated to include clauses that address cleanliness and maintenance standards for future tenants.
How to Protect Your Properties
Finding out your tenant is a hoarder can be overwhelming for landlords. After all, you may associate hoarding with messy homes, property damage, and pest issues. However, it’s important to remember that it’s also a mental health condition that some people suffer greatly from.
That said, it’s important to know how to handle these situations as they come up. If you suspect your tenant is hoarding, know what you can do to protect your property and prevent potential issues.
Need More Advice? contact us today!
One way to protect your properties is by hiring a comprehensive property management team. An experienced group like BMG takes tenant screening seriously, inspects properties when necessary, and performs maintenance tasks as soon as possible. If you’re looking for someone to manage your properties, contact Bay Property Management Group today!
