Article: 87 year old hoarder facing eviction (warning: incredibly sad)

[Williamsmith]

Not really sure why Williamsmith thinks someone should provide free storage?
There are three people living there, and from what I caught of the article, ALL of them are collectors.
Move two out and their stuff and see how organized it could be.
Have the two sons pay for a climate controlled storage facility, as they are also going to be the one to transport her there, since her memories seem to be tactile, instead of a more normal memory function (in the head).

As far as the free storage goes........the answer is compassion and efficiency.

Your way seems to adopt a heavy handed approach that should be used as a last resort. You compound the problem by citing exigency circumstances to force three people to accept change when it could be done while only impacting one. Be glad society sees "normal" by your understanding but believe me there will come a day when "normal" will seem unacceptable and be thankful a compassionate person takes charge and not an indifferent government official.

[Ultralight]

I think one of the main problems we face in dealing with hoarders and the dangerous environments they live in is that we don't deal with the problem until the last possible minute.

We need to get out in front of this problem with mental health services and others who can help deal with these issues.

This woman is 87 years old! This ain't a new problem with her.

When we wait until their houses are tinderboxes then bold, heavy-handed moves might be all we've got left to maintain public safety.

[Ultralight]

This could happen: http://www.kpho.com/story/30581393/h...-kingman-house

[ToomuchStuff]

As far as the free storage goes........the answer is compassion and efficiency.

Your way seems to adopt a heavy handed approach that should be used as a last resort. You compound the problem by citing exigency circumstances to force three people to accept change when it could be done while only impacting one. Be glad society sees "normal" by your understanding but believe me there will come a day when "normal" will seem unacceptable and be thankful a compassionate person takes charge and not an indifferent government official.

So them facing eviction, isn't time for the last resort? Instead, someone else should foot the bill for their bad behavior?

I think one of the main problems we face in dealing with hoarders and the dangerous environments they live in is that we don't deal with the problem until the last possible minute.

We need to get out in front of this problem with mental health services and others who can help deal with these issues.

This woman is 87 years old! This ain't a new problem with her.

When we wait until their houses are tinderboxes then bold, heavy-handed moves might be all we've got left to maintain public safety.

I agree. This went on for too long, and since they didn't own the house, why did the landlord not start earlier?

[bae]

When we wait until their houses are tinderboxes then bold, heavy-handed moves might be all we've got left to maintain public safety.

"Public safety". A convenient hammer.

Might want to go read the Fire Code, and the relevant local legislation. This is a private person, in her home, not a commercial enterprise open to the public. This is America, we have decided as a society that in general your rights to privacy trump theoretical claims of "public safety" when it comes to your home.

I do fire inspections all the time. I can inspect a business, cite them for violations, and require compliance, and I have the full power of the State behind me. Yes, that means if they resist my inspection or my order to remedy the situation, eventually men with guns will show up and shoot them dead if they continue to resist.

Private homes, not so much. I do those inspections too. They are entirely voluntary, at the request of the resident, and I cannot issue citations, only friendly recommendations.

[sweetana3]

Does it matter if you are the owner or a renter? If she lives in council housing it most likely is an afforable living situation and the laws applying to landlord/renter in England apply. My motherinlaw has pretty stiff restrictions on her use of the rented property and can be evicted for not abiding by the lease contract.

[ToomuchStuff]

Does it matter if you are the owner or a renter? If she lives in council housing it most likely is an afforable living situation and the laws applying to landlord/renter in England apply. My motherinlaw has pretty stiff restrictions on her use of the rented property and can be evicted for not abiding by the lease contract.

IANAL (I am not a lawyer), or a barrister in England, so I don't know their laws.

In my state, a landlord does bare responsibility for unsafe conditions. If the tenant creates them, then you start falling into grey area's. (has the landlord followed notifying procedures, etc.)
Also, the landlords have entrance, maintenance and inspection rights. Where as an owner of the property, without a warrant, generally only those invited in may enter.

[bae]

Also, the landlords have entrance, maintenance and inspection rights.

And generally those have notification requirements, the landlord can't just barge in on the tenants willy-nilly, they have the right to "quiet enjoyment" of their home.

I did however once recently use my inspection clause to make entry to a rented unit belonging to my mother that we suspected was Going South, and gathered enough information there to allow law enforcement to get a warrant. Horrible thing, a perfectly nice family descended into Meth Hell in about 3 months.

[sweetana3]

In this case, they have worked with her for over 2 years trying to get her to help find a solution. She has been to court twice over this issue. Her supporters apparently are stating that the stuff is a museum and should be allowed to stay. Now they are trying to get the public involved because she has lost the legal issue.

[Ultralight]

In this case, they have worked with her for over 2 years trying to get her to help find a solution. She has been to court twice over this issue. Her supporters apparently are stating that the stuff is a museum and should be allowed to stay. Now they are trying to get the public involved because she has lost the legal issue.

Again, I would say two years ago is not out in front of this issue. I think mental health services need to be in there a the first sign of hoarding.

But ultimately, as unfashionable as this is to say: This is a public safety issue. That place could go up like a dried out Xmas tree! She is in there. Her sons are in there. Her neighbors are at risk.

So something, unfortunately for the little old lady, has to be done and it will have to be drastic.

Such is the case with many hoarders.

Nobody wants this happening!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toront...blaze-1.901507
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toront...rette-1.992301