Would you report a hoarder?

[recycledferret]

Someone in my immediate family's house is packed floor to ceiling in every room except the bathrooms. The yards are fine. The garage is packed. There might be one exit, but even that is a crawl space. Do I get involved?

[User 180565 is taking donation]

Sounds like you got an episode of hoarders, however if it's affecting their life physically then I wouldn't do too much about it. You could recommend therapists and psychology for them as most people that hoard feel empty and fill their life with possessions.

[Craig]

I would say it depends on the state of the hoarding. Is it a health hazard... dirty with rubbish like empty food cartons etc which could attract rats etc.

[Sam]

Someone I love dearly is a hoarder and in dire need of help but won't get it. I can't bring myself to report her because I know they'll condemn the house and I can't do that to her.

[📚 Dianne 📚]

This is a difficult question to answer. Since there is only one exit and that is a crawl space, I would be terribly worried about fire and the fact that they wouldn't be able to get out. But on the other hand, like sam said, I would hate to see this person homeless. I just don't think that that would happen. 

[Caajscot (John)]

Tricky situation really and you worry about reporting it in case the person loses the house but you have to think about it in a logical way if it is a fire & health hazard then it will be endangering others around them, fires can spread to adjoining houses and gardens (sheds etc), health-wise with attracting rodents (sewer rats etc) that can spread diseases to others around the property.

If this was me I would report it and ask to keep your name from others or the media and think to yourself you are possibly saving other people lives because of one individual.

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Hoarding isn't just a nuisance, which can bring odors and vermin into a building, it can also be deadly. Years ago, a fire erupted in a Williamsburg apartment overflowing with stuff, killing a firefighter .......

www.brickunderground.com/blog/2014/07/firefighters_and_hoarding