How hoarding can effect your tenancy:

We need to understand what hoarding is before we can begin to examine its effects.Hoarding is known as a mental health condition; which is characterised by the persistent difficulty of getting rid of belongings. Individuals who are seen to hoard;firmly believe that they must preserve their belongings, even if they are of little value or utility. There will be many significant consequences if someone starts hoarding within a property, especially a rental property; not only for the individual/s that live within the property but for the property itself. Hoarding is not always as extreme as it is stereotypically seen to be and could go unrecognized for years, however it can be extremely hazardous.

Stacked possessions against walls and even near the celling will create major property damage because they can eventually lead to collapses, especially if the amount is substantial and has been left for a long period of time. As you can surely understand, this accumulation of dirty items will eventually result in an offensive odour that will make living on that property intolerable. It will also raise the risk of mildew, vermin, and trip hazards.

Any item that someone hoards will increase the risk of a fire on the premises, particularly if there are tangible belongings and items like cardboard accumulating. Due to our duty of care as a rental agency, we are unable to ignore the need to avoid a fire because it poses a risk to both the tenant and the nearby properties. Therefore, when an individual is hoarding within a rental property, this can be considered a breach of tenancy and can potentially lead to eviction in extreme cases.