What happens if your neighbor is a hoarder?

Having said this, you still have cause for concern, both for your neighbor’s safety and for the neighborhood. Beyond the psychological impact of the disorder, the accumulation of trash and clutter can attract animals, create public health and hygiene violations, and cause fire hazards.

Can a hoarding house be a fire hazard?

For starters, your neighbor’s hoarding house can be a huge fire hazard. Rotting trash can attract rodents and insects. And hoarding usually has a mental health component, which can make neighborly negotiations difficult.

Can a person with OCD be a hoarder?

Let’s be clear: An inability to clear out the garage does not a hoarder make. For years, hoarding was understood to be a form of OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Research surrounding the disease has evolved, however, and the American Psychiatric Association now recognizes compulsive hoarding as its own mental disorder.

How are hoarders different from other people’s messiness?

Hoarders often feel the need to keep things that other people would simply throw away in the ordinary course of their lives. Hoarding has received an increased amount of public attention in recent years, and even became the subject of a reality television show. How Is Hoarding Different From Messiness?

Where did my Neighbor come from to be a hoarder?

There was no where for them to come into the home because we had a 3 story townhome with a concrete base floor. They never came inside our home but it was our suspicion that they came from a neighbor into our garage looking for goods, which we didn’t have anything down there. We caught a glimpse of our neighbor across the street.

What happens if you live next to a hoarding house?

At its most benign, your neighbor’s hoarding situation means that clutter has overflowed into the public space, making the front lawn an embarrassing eyesore for every house party you throw. But it can get much worse than that. Food refuse can attract rats, ants, roaches, and squirrels that can then meander over to your house for dessert.

What to do if your loved one is a hoarder?

While the disorder that leads to hoarding will likely be something your loved one must face for the rest of their life, the good news is, there are steps you can take to help a hoarder reclaim their space and their lives. Do encourage the person to seek professional help.