Factsheet
Landlord Services
Hoarding
What is it?
Ø Hoarding is the excessive accumulation of objects or animals, even things that appear useless or of little value to most people and an inability to discard of these items
Ø Hoarders may have or develop OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) along with other mental illnesses such as dementia and schizophrenia
Ø Hoarders collect common possessions ie paper, clothing, boxes, plastic bags, garbage or rotten food, sometimes animals or human waste products.
Useful Information
Ø If left untreated, hoarding can lead to serious problems including falling, getting hurt or killed when items fall, developing health problems from mould or pests, delays if emergency services can’t reach someone inside the home, injury or death if a fire starts and emergency services can’t get in, living without basic services including electricity and heating and being evicted due to breach of tenancy conditions
Ø FARS (Fire & Rescue Service) carry out a free home fire risk assessment check for all tenants of Tamworth Borough Council
Ø It is estimated that 1 – 2% of the population has hoarding problems
Ø Hoarding behaviour deteriorates without intervention and treatment and is recognised as both a mental health issue and a public health problem.
Your Tenancy Agreement
Landlord Services can assist you in getting support with this condition. We also have a duty of care to surrounding residents and assets belonging to Tamworth Borough Council including the risk of pest infestation, structural problems due to the heavy load, flooding and fire.
If you hold a tenancy with Tamworth Borough Council, please note the following tenancy conditions:
Clause 3.2 Repairs and Improvements –
Ø 3.2.1 You must take care of the property and report any faults or defects to us immediately. Failure to do so will result in you being recharged for any damage as a result of wilful neglect or negligence
Ø 3.2.12 You must allow the Council’s employees or contractors access at all reasonable hours of the day to inspect the condition of the premises or to carry out repairs and other works to the premises or adjoining property. We will normally give you 24 hours notice but immediate access may be required in an emergency. A warrant will be pursued ex-parte when immediate access is required. Any of the emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) can effect immediate access where there is a reasonable suspicion of danger to life. We will charge you for the cost of entering the property if you try to prevent us from entering or do not cooperate with the request.
Ø 3.2.13 If you refuse access we will apply for an injunction or other legal remedy to allow access to your home so that we can comply with our landlord responsibilities
Ø 3.2.15 You will be responsible for all repairs and replacements to your property which are needed because of deliberate damage, negligence or careless damage caused by you, your household, pets, or visitors to your home.
Reviewed May 2016