How To Manage Tenants With Compulsive Hoarding Disorder ?
Every landlord hopes to find good tenants who will not cause any problems in the building or damage to the rental property. But, what happens if a landlord gets a tenant with compulsive hoarding disorder? How will the landlord manage such tenants? |
When tenant suffers from compulsive hoarding disorder, it is a nightmare for the landlord. The hoarding behavior of the tenant can destroy the property and cause extensive damage that may require expensive repairs, over and beyond the security deposit. (See Reference 1)
However, before the landlord decides that a tenant is suffering from compulsive hoarding disorder, he or she needs to certain about it. There are some tenants who are plain untidy and messy. These tenants cannot be said to be suffering from compulsive hoarding disorder. In fact, in order to check whether a tenant is suffering from this disorder, the landlord should make scheduled visits to the rental property and note down the way things are stored or kept in the house. If necessary, the landlord can also click photographs. If you suspect that the tenant is suffering from a compulsive hoarding disorder, then the tenant is not only a risk to himself or herself, but to others around, especially if the rental property is in an apartment building. In such a case, it is recommended that the landlord get health and safety inspection done or bring in a lawyer. Alternatively, the landlord can also request a mental health expert to visit the tenant. (See Reference 1) The landlord should not take steps of eviction without following proper procedures as even a tenant with compulsive hoarding disorder has rights.
When a person suffers from this disorder, it could be the symptoms of another medical condition. Hence, the tenant would be protected by the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the ADA. Also, there is no law to say that a person cannot collect things. However, when the act of hoarding becomes dangerous or poses a health risk, like keeping too many animals within the rental property or stacking cartons against the fire exit, then the landlord should consult an attorney and find out what his or her options are. There are advocacy groups for hoarders and evicting a tenant with compulsive hoarding disorder may get difficult. Hence, it is best to consult an attorney and find out what your options are.
So, how to manage tenants with compulsive hoarding disorder? A landlord should not think that he or she is responsible for such a tenant. Instead of handling the tenant, the landlord should look for ways to save his or her rental property from damage and protect the interests of other tenants in the same building. (See Reference 1)
More Articles :
 |
How To Manage Tenants With Compulsive Hoarding Disorder
All tenants have rights and as a tenant you should educate yourself on these rights. These rights are called renter's rights and are intended to protect tenants from unfair practices of landlords. However, every city in the US has different set of rights for tenants, it would be in your best interests to learn as much as possible about them. This is true for a person renting a property and for the landlord. 
