Hoarding: More Than Just a Mess

If you’ve watched an episode of the A&E reality series, Hoarders, you understand that hoarding isn’t just about people having too much stuff in their home; it’s a mental health disorder that requires special attention and empathy. And with two to six percent of the population suffering from this disorder, it’s more common than you think. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, we’re exploring hoarding, how it affects the property management industry, and solutions to help.

Hoarding: What It Is And Isn’t

According to the American Psychiatric Association, hoarding disorder is a mental health condition characterized by persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions—regardless of value—driven by the need to save them. As a result, hoarders’ dwellings are usually consumed by extreme clutter that compromises living spaces and causes significant distress or functional impairment. Hoarding symptoms typically begin around adolescence and become more severe as people age. While initially classified as a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding is now recognized as a standalone condition.

Some may confuse collecting items with hoarding. Collecting is not hoarding. Collectors acquire and display items in an organized, intentional, and targeted way. For those who hoard, acquisition of items is largely impulsive, with little planning and no consistent theme. Messiness is also not hoarding. People who have general clutter typically feel no attachment to it and welcome help with organization and cleaning.

Additionally, animal hoarding is a special type of hoarding disorder that involves acquiring a large number (dozens or hundreds) of animals. They may be kept in an inappropriate space, creating unhealthy, unsafe conditions for the individual and animals.

While every situation is unique to the individual, hoarding is typically a progressive disorder. Here is a five-level scale you can use as an initial safety and risk assessment tool:

• Level 1: Minimal Impact—Clutter is present in the home, but doesn’t affect daily function and rooms are usable.
• Level 2: A Few Safety Concerns—Clutter is more noticeable in the home, and some surfaces or rooms are difficult to use.
• Level 3: Major Safety Concerns—Clutter blocks at least one exit in the home and rooms lose functionality. Odors or unsanitary conditions are noticeable.
• Level 4: Hazardous Living Conditions—Severe clutter blocks most entrances and exits in the home. Structural damage, pest infestation, and waste are likely. Fire and injury risks are high.
• Level 5: Critical Mass—The home is uninhabitable, and structural collapse, biohazards, and overwhelming clutter are present.

Signs and Consequences

While you can’t tell whether a person has a hoarding disorder just by looking at them, here are some classic symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored:

• Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of value
• Perceived need to save items due to the distress associated with discarding them
• Accumulation of possessions that congest and clutter active living areas, preventing the intended use of those spaces
• Major distress or problems in social and work life or other important areas of functioning

As the disorder becomes more progressive, hoarding can result in:

• Disorganized piles or stacks of items—such as newspapers and clothes
• Crowded walking spaces and living areas
• Buildup of food or trash to significant, unsanitary levels
• Issues functioning and being safe in the home
• Possible conflict with those who try to reduce or remove clutter
• Difficulty organizing and finding items in the clutter

Hoarding and Property Management

When new residents move to your property, there’s no way to determine if they will keep their place orderly. One challenge you may face is not discovering the problem until the situation is beyond your control. And since hoarding disorder is a protected disability under the Fair Housing Act—which requires reasonable accommodations to be provided to affected residents—there’s another level of complexity to consider. With all that in mind, here are some ways to proactively help residents and protect your property:

• Conduct quarterly, biannual, or annual maintenance inspections to identify any potential issues.
• Be specific in your lease by establishing standards for housekeeping and accessing units upon reasonable notice.
• Discern between general clutter and messiness versus severe hoarding that requires action.
• If a problem exists, provide referrals to social workers or psychologists, self-storage facilities, and hoarding cleanup services.
• Always maintain reasonable expectations, addressing everything in stages. Often, a compassionate approach yields the best results.
• If all efforts fail and eviction is the only solution, seek legal guidance. Document the process leading up to this decision, and retain all communication and helpful attempts to mitigate the situation.

Available Help

While the cause of hoarding disorder is unknown, treatment is available. Here are some solutions to help:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—teaches skills to challenge harmful thought patterns, reduce acquiring, and practice discarding.
• Exposure and Response Prevention—helps to gradually face the anxiety of discarding and resist the urge to acquire.
• Specialized Support—addresses the day-to-day environment with professional organizers and case managers who are trained in hoarding.

Now that you’re more informed about hoarding disorder, you can be more proactive about spotting it to help your residents and protect your business. The one tool you can use that is available to everyone is your compassion for those who suffer from it.