We love what we do: clearing out homes and helping people get rid of their unwanted items. Because of our focus on eco-friendly house clearances, we’re fast becoming the go to for anyone who’s concerned about where their items will end up.
But as much as we enjoy our work, some jobs are tougher than others. Sometimes we have to clear out a home that has seen much better days and is unclean to the point of being dangerous.
For hoarders, as well as other people who may struggle to keep on top of cleaning, the mess can build up fast. So when it’s time for their house clearance, it’s best to call in the professionals.
House Clearances for Hoarders
The term ‘hoarder’ is used a lot, but in real cases of hoarding it’s a serious issue. Hoarding often goes hand in hand with other mental health issues, as a symptom that makes other problems worse as time goes on.
We’ve all had days when we can’t face cleaning; for some people this is a constant, either due to mental difficulties, physical disabilities, or a combination of both. It’s most common in elderly people, who aren’t able to clean as often as they used to or might be incapable of tasks like emptying bins.
Hoarding isn’t just about keeping all of your possessions. Hoarders often are unable to dispose of waste, so that bins overflow and rubbish is strewn across their home. This is a serious health hazard, as every surface becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, mould, and larger pests like rats.
If a hoarder doesn’t receive help, they won’t stop hoarding. And in many cases family and friends try to help but it’s too little too late. If the person in question moves out, passes away, or finally receives the help they need to stop their hoarding, they need an immediate house clearance to recover their home.
How we Approach House Clearances for Hoarders
If we’re approached to clear out a hoarder’s home, we have to be careful in a number of ways. The first is how we work with the client. If they are the hoarder in question, or a close family member, sensitivity is needed so that we don’t make a difficult decision any harder. This is still true if the homeowner has passed away, and the house needs to be cleared ASAP so it can be sold or returned to the owner if it was rented. Many of our clients are dealing with bereavement, and we always take the time to understand them and their needs before work begins.
But what about the job itself? As well as being unclean, a hoarder’s home can have a number of trip and fire hazards, as well as piles of items that could fall at any time.
We never back down from a challenge. No matter the job at hand we’ll put on our masks and thick gloves that will keep us safe until we’re done. As there are a lot of potential unseen hazards, we work methodically, taking our time to remove things from the top down, and clearing a path through to make it easier to access.
For most hoarders’ homes, the majority of the items will be considered waste, either in too poor condition to rehome or ruined by the conditions around them. But if anything can be recycled, we’ll make sure it is. Just because the items were hoarded doesn’t mean they should end up on a landfill.
By clearing out rubbish first, filling bin bags with food waste and anything else that can’t be recycled, we can then start working through the items that might be saved. Even if they’re buried under mountains of rubbish, there may be some furniture items that might just need a good clean before they can be donated. We’re very picky with the items we donate, so in some cases it’s best just to recycle them.
Fast House Clearances for Landlords
Some hoarders live in rental properties. So when their agreement runs out and they move away, the landlord is left with a lot of cleaning to do. House clearances for landlords are fairly common, but often it only involves removing a few items before a new tenant moves in.
If the previous tenant was a hoarder or particularly messy, a professional house clearance is necessary. As a landlord you want the property to be in the best condition possible before your next lease begins and clearing it out yourself can be costly and time-consuming.
We handle the hassle for you, removing all waste and unwanted items, recycling and rehoming them as much as possible. If a hoarder is living in a rental property, the situation is often not as bad as in an owned home, as they only have a few years to fill each room with rubbish. However, some hoarders can spiral fast, and you need a team that can handle the mess properly.
The Best House Clearances for Unhygienic Homes
Clearing out a home that is dangerously unclean can create a health risk. Carrying heavy items and furniture is tricky at the best of times, when there is also a lot of waste, mould, and a large quantity of possessions to remove, it’s best not to handle it alone.
We’re experts at eco-friendly house clearances. No matter how much needs to be removed, or the condition of the property itself, Clever Clear are the team to call.
We don’t just care about the environment; we care about you too. By taking the time to meet with you and understand your needs, we provide a much better service. As we work in our local area as often as possible, we’re striving to build a community, working closely with families and local businesses so that everyone has access to the best house clearance possible.
If you’re worried about a hoarder’s home, or just need a clearance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!
