Though hoarding has been a hidden disorder for several years, in 2013, the American Psychiatric Association officially recognized hoarding as a mental disorder making hoarders a protected class. If you are renting to a hoarder in Clearwater, FL and receive complaints from the neighbors or have personal concerns, the situation needs to be handled carefully so that you are protected from Fair Housing Implications and possible discrimination charges.
Because hoarding is recognized as a disability, your first reaction should not be to evict the tenant. Whether you handle the situation on your own or with the help of a professional Clearwater property manager, here are 5 strategies to employ when dealing with a hoarder:
1. Know the difference between a hoarder and a bad housekeeper.
While some tenants may not clean up after themselves, a hoarder oftentimes has piles of what may appear to you as junk but is significant in some way to them. People who hoard things will typically leave little walking room in their space with things piled high up the walls. You may need to get an official evaluation.
2. Make a house call.
Whether you take this step on your own or delegate it to your Clearwater property manager, someone must visit the property for a first-hand report to help determine the implications of the habit. Documentation needs to be made, especially if the hoarding is causing direct damage to the property, blocking emergency exits, or interfering with sprinkler systems or ventilation. A non-economic breach may be occurring if the tenant is hoarding materials that are hazardous, or maybe there are perishable goods that can attract insects or rodents. They may be housing animals in a way that breaks the law or the lease agreement. If extra documentation is needed, a city official should help assess the property to confirm violations.
3. Conduct a tenant strategy session.
After determining that hoarding is happening at the property, it’s time to have a talk with the tenant. Since this is a delicate situation, you need to be respectful at all times and discuss a strategy for bringing things back up to code. Give the tenant a reasonable amount of time to address the issues your Clearwater property manager outlines and create a notice in writing to be signed by both parties.
4. Enforce the lease agreement.
If, after the agreed to amount of time, the problems have not been resolved, eviction can be considered. If the hoarding habits are damaging the property or violating local codes, it is in effect breaking the lease and is grounds for eviction. Your Clearwater property manager will be able to assist you in this if necessary.
5. Be proactive in conducting regular inspections.
Even if the tenant was able to comply with the changes, protect yourself and your property by ensuring the tenant does not revert to old habits and conduct regular inspections of the property document conditions and take photos to back up your findings.
Please contact us online or call us at 727-400-4722 for more information to ensure you are aware of issues and pitfalls when coming in contact with a possible hoarding tenant on your property.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
