Are you faced with a situation where you have to clear a pile of stuff out of a house? That is no mean task you are tackling, and you may be struggling to know where to start. We’ll guide you through what’s involved in clearing a hoarded house in this step-by-step guide. And if you need a helping hand anywhere in the South of England, we’ll be delighted to assist,
Understand the Situation Before You Start
Clearing a hoarded house is not a simple cleaning job. The occupant may have a mental health condition, meaning they are not in full control of the situation. They could become profoundly distressed if you start tidying their home. This may be a case where you should speak to a professional first.
Another problem you may face is being the first ‘outsider’ who enters the hoarder’s home for a while. Some folk who are not up to speed with what is happening can be downright critical, and this can result in the hoarder withdrawing into themselves.
What all this means is you may not find yourself welcome when you arrive at a hoarder’s home with a mop, a broom, and a pile of garbage bags. The hoarder may either be deeply embarrassed, or furiously protective about their stuff. They may even slam the door in your face, and turn their back on you.
Sitting Room Surrendered to Hoarding © Avery Associates
Clearing a Hoarded House In the Mind Of a Hoarder
A person unfamiliar with this situation may view the sitting room in that photo as full of rubbish, good for nothing but throwing away. However, the hoarder may see things differently, because they are likely to have an emotional attachment over them.
They may realise in more rational moments that they need to tidy the room. But they will be unable to achieve much, because to them every item is important to keep. The truth is you can’t take the hoarding out of a hoarder. The best you can do is manage the situation and we are here to help.
How to Manage Hoarding Through Understanding
The key to clearing a hoarded house lies in understanding the mind of the hoarder, and working within their paradigm. Their condition is a special case of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), meaning they may battle to organise their living space, make decisions, and solve problems relating to it.
A Home Cleared by Our Team © Avery Associates
Compulsive hoarding (for that’s what it is) is a difficult and complex condition to manage. However, we can and we should make progress with improving a hoarder’s living conditions, if we work with them and not against them by agreeing things together.
Clearing a Hoarded House Step-By-Step
ONE: AGREE A PLAN OF ACTION
By now you know that forcing a hoarder’s hand is most likely to be counter-productive. Develop and agree goals and time-lines together. Write these down and make copies for each of you.
TWO: START DE-CLUTTERING SLOWLY
Agree an achievable target together. This could be to clear a room, or part of a room of clutter. Let the hoarder help decide what to keep. Work slowly and meticulously, step-by-step. Don’t force anything!
THREE: SORT CLUTTER INTO PILES
Avoid creating a backlog that could become a new hoard! Put the stuff that can go, into two large boxes labelled ‘charity shop’ and ‘for recycling’. Your hoarder will be more at peace knowing everything will have a future use.
We Clear Back Yards Too © Avery Associates
FOUR: DISPOSE OF ITEMS IN BATCHES
We don’t recommend waiting until you have fully de-cluttered, before sending stuff to charities or recycling. Choose your transport provider carefully. Your local council could hold you liable if they fly tip!
FIVE: CLEAN AND TIDY AS YOU PROGRESS
Clean and tidy the living spaces as you progress, so you both see signs of real achievement. Organise the remaining items neatly. This will be a great motivator to persist and see the job though to completion.
Clearing a Hoarded House In One Go
Avery Associates offers a bespoke service to clients in the South of England who need to completely clear hoarded houses. This need often arises after:
- A landlord obtains an eviction or other court order.
- The local authority moves a hoarder to a place of safety.
- A hoarder dies while in residence and their home must be sold.
Avery Associates provides a rapid, affective resolution in these circumstances. We work quietly and discreetly with least possible disturbance to neighbours. Probate solicitors use our services regularly, as do executors of deceased estates.
Our managing partner Jeffrey Avery will be in attendance to identify any items of value. He can assist with arranging their sale for market value, if indeed this is what you would like us to do.
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