Hoarding
Hoarding in a condominium is more than a disorder, it can be a serious
safety and health problem.
Detecting
hoarding
The condo will have contractors entering all the units two or three
times a year to check the smoke and fire alarms, check on water leaks,
inspect the balconies, treat insect infestations and/or service the fan
coil units.
Any signs of safety or health issues due to hoarding needs to be
reported to the property manager.
Odours
Aside from regular unit inspections, management may become aware of
hoarding when the neighbours complain about foul odours coming from the
hoarder's unit.
Recyclable bottles in
living room
At the end of an AGM I attended, one woman was telling the manager that she wanted
the showers in the change rooms opened. Since the swimming pool was
closed, I asked the manager why was this important to her.
He replied that she was a hoarder and so she could not shower in her
unit. The bathtub was full of stuff.
More recyclable
bottles in the bedroom
This person saved recyclable bottles but others save newspapers and
piles of papers and documents. This can be a serious fire hazard. Some
units are filthy and are vermin infested.
Groceries stored in
oven. Oven turned on
Some hoarders are more dangerous than others. If hoarding is combined
with other mental health issues then the hoarders are a menace.
In these cases, the board must take action.
top contents
chapter previous next