Is It Your Business if a Neighbour is Hoarding ?
If you encounter a situation involving compulsive hoarding, what should you do? The temptation may be to turn away and ignore it because you feel like it is an invasion of privacy to report it.
in our experience as a London house clearance company we can tell you that, although it may seem like it is none of your business, if someone is hoarding then you have to take notice. Here’s why:
Hoarding Can Be Dangerous
Hoarding is dangerous for the victim because the vast quantities of junk that they have piled up precariously around the property could end up falling down on top of them. Even more serious is the pressure put upon the floors by the weight of so many items, and in the worst case scenario this could lead to the floor collapsing.
On top of that, the accumulation of so many items leads to an increased risk of fire. This can be dangerous for other properties in the vicinity as well as for the hoarder because they may not be able to escape if a fire breaks out.
Hoarding Can Pose Health Risks
Health risks are one of the most common problems which can arise as a result of compulsive hoarding in. Dangerous items are often hoarded away amongst the other items, and on top of that the conditions are often very unsanitary. This can lead to health problems and can lead to the presence of pests which can spread to other nearby homes.
Hoarding Can Harm Animals
Animal hoarding is quite common in the UK and is especially serious because the welfare of the animals is at stake. Animals are often found to be living in appalling conditions, so for the sake of the animal’s cases of animal hoarding need to be reported.
Victims Need Help
Compulsive hoarders in the UK are victims of a misunderstood condition, and they need treatment in order to find the root cause of their hoarding behaviour. With cases of animal hoarding, people may think that the hoarders are cruel but they often have the best intentions and simply require professional help.
Always Report Hoarding Cases
You should never ignore cases of hoarding for all of the above reasons. Don’t pretend that it is not your business because hoarding can lead to many problems for the sufferer and other people in the surrounding area, so make sure you and neighbours are not put at risk and help the victims to get the help they need.
We clear properties which are affected by animal hoarding anywhere in the UK. If you need assistance please call 080 567 7769
