Why hoarding can be harmful and how to get help | Tenant news

Hoarding affects around 1 in every 20 adults in the UK and it involves more than just collecting extra items – it can impact your safety, health, and relationships.

This is why knowing the signs and how to find support is essential for creating a safer and more comfortable living space for you and your household.

What is hoarding?

Hoarding is a behaviour where someone collects and keeps a large number of items, often things that might seem useless or unnecessary to others. It’s not just about being messy; it’s a persistent difficulty with letting go of possessions.

Hoarding is often linked to emotional distress, trauma, or a need for control. It can also be connected to mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

People who hoard often develop overcrowded living spaces because of emotional attachment or fear of needing items later. Items that are often hoarded include:

• newspapers and magazines
• books
• clothes
• leaflets and letters, including junk mail
• bills and receipts
• containers, including plastic bags and cardboard boxes
• household supplies.
  
  

Health and safety risks

Hoarded items often block exits, hallways, and windows, making it difficult to move around or escape during an emergency.

Clutter can also attract pests like mice and insects, which can spread disease. Excessive hoarding may increase the risk of mould, fire, and injury from falling objects. This creates unsafe living conditions not only for you, but for those around you.

Tenants living in cluttered environments may also experience poor air quality. Dust, mildew, and allergens build up quickly in overfilled spaces, leading to breathing problems or worsening existing health issues.

Meanwhile, hoarding can cause feelings of shame, anxiety, and isolation. Many people try to hide their situation from friends, family, and housing staff, which can increase stress and loneliness.

How to find support

If hoarding is affecting you or someone you know, support is available, via your local authority, support worker or Habinteg’s local Neighbourhood Team.

There are also organisations that can provide guidance and support to help you if you feel like your home is overrun with clutter, but don’t know what to do about it.

To find help, visit:

• Hoarding UK
• Hoarding Disorders UK
• Hoarding Support
• Mind.
  
  

If you’re unsure who your Neighbourhood Coordinator and Manager are, contact our Customer Services Team at Habinteg Direct on 0300 365 3100Top of Form or direct@habinteg.org.uk to find out.

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