It’s easy to feel sorry for sufferers of compulsive hoarding. London, especially due to the dense population has many cases of hoarders who hoard objects and items away in their homes to unmanageable levels, leading them to live in conditions that many of us would consider to be uninhabitable. And as a London house clearance company we see all aspects and types of hoarder clean ups.
However, it is important to remember that the sufferers are not the only victims of their behaviour. One of the most devastating things about this condition is that it also affects their family members and neighbours.
How Families Are Affected
With hoarding, it is the families of sufferers who are often the ones who suffer the most. It can be very difficult for family members, and it can be made worse because of their own failure to understand the reasons behind the hoarding.
They are usually embarrassed about their problem, leading them to attempt to keep it hidden from other people, meaning they cannot invite other people into their home, and it is at tis point that a house clearance becomes essential.
On top of this, if they are living in the same home, then they also have to suffer from a lack of space and unsanitary conditions. In a lot of London hoarding cases we have seen, the property has become very dirty and almost impossible to clean. Rotting food, animal waste and dangerous materials all add up to affect the people living in the property.
In addition, family members also have to suffer from the increased danger of living in the same building. The sheer weight of the items that are hoarded can affect the structure of the building, and the fire risk can also be increased.
How Neighbours Are Affected
When people live in close proximity to a compulsive hoarder, they can also be badly affected by the problem. Unpleasant smells are often the first way that they become aware of the problem, and these arise from rotting food, waste and the general unsanitary conditions of the property.
Things can be made worse in the case of animal hoarding. The smell of animal waste can be particularly unpleasant, and it can also lead to the creation of lots of noise, especially in cases involving the hoarding of dogs.
Hoarding Affects Many People
Many people are affected by hoarding, not just the actual sufferers. When it comes to clearing the property of its contents, the clearance company is also affected. The job is made harder and more dangerous due to the quantity of items and the condition of the building.
This is why you should always hire a professional clearance firm with lots of experience in clearing properties affected by compulsive hoarding. London health authorities often instruct us to do the work, if they have a property which has been occupied by a hoarder, we will get it done quickly, safely and professionally.
Do you live in London? Is hoarding a problem in your property? As London based compulsive hoarding specialists we can help. Call today for discreet and confidential advice on how to get a property cleared and cleaned. Jeffrey Avery can be contacted directly on 0800 567 7769
