Hoarding

Hoarding and how we can help

What is hoarding?

Hoarding is when someone finds it very difficult to let go of possessions, even when it affects daily life or safety. It is often linked to stress, trauma, bereavement or mental health challenges. It is not a choice and not about being untidy.

Many people feel embarrassed about asking for help, but support is available.

Why do people hoard?

There is no single cause. Hoarding can be linked to anxiety or depression, bereavement, past trauma, or feelings of isolation or being overwhelmed. Everyone’s situation is different.

How hoarding can affect a home

Hoarding can develop gradually and may:

Increase fire, trip or fall risks
Make repairs or safety checks difficult
Affect heating, ventilation or hygiene
Impact physical or mental health

We understand that change can feel daunting and always take a calm, supportive approach.

How Selwood Housing can help

Our aim is to work with customers respectfully and without judgement to help keep homes safe and comfortable.

We will assess any risks, agree practical steps to improve safety, and offer support or referrals where needed. Tenancy enforcement is always a last resort.

What you can expect from us

We will:

Listen and treat you with dignity and respect
Explain any safety concerns clearly
Agree reasonable steps and timescales
Help reduce fire risks and keep clear access
Make sure essential services and safety checks can be carried out

Your responsibilities

We will support you throughout and ask that you work with us to:

Allow access for repairs and essential safety checks
Keep shared areas clear
Follow agreed steps to reduce risks

Simple steps like keeping exits clear and avoiding storing items near heat or electrical sources can help improve safety.

The clutter rating system

We use the clutter image rating system to help us understand how clutter may be affecting safety in your home. It uses a scale of 1 to 9 to show whether clutter is low risk, starting to affect safety, or creating serious concerns. We will always explain what your rating means and agree next steps with you.

Please see below an example of the scale:

Source: International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) – Clutter Image Rating
https://hoarding.iocdf.org

Charges

There are no charges for assessments, visits or advice. Charges may apply if urgent clearance, repairs, or specialist cleaning are needed. We will always explain this beforehand.

Getting in touch

If you are affected by hoarding, or are worried about someone else, please speak to your neighbourhood manager, or contact us.

Help and support

You may also find support from:

NHS
HoardingUK
Change Mental Health
Hub of Hope
Local authority mental health or adult social care teams

Frequently asked questions

What if I'm not ready to talk yet?

We understand that this can feel difficult. However, if hoarding is affecting safety or the condition of a home, we need to work with you to address it. We’ll do this with understanding, clear communication and practical support.

Can I report concerns about someone else?

Yes. If you’re worried about a neighbour, friend or family member who lives in one of our properties, you can let us know. We’ll follow this up sensitively and with a focus on offering help and support.

Will you force me to clear my home?

While we don’t carry out forced clearances, if there are serious safety risks, or essential repairs can’t be done and you do not engage, we may have to consider enforcement action.

Will you share information with other services?

Only when needed and, wherever possible, with your consent. We may work with other services if this helps keep people safe or provides additional support.

Can I still ask for repairs if hoarding is an issue?

Yes. We want to carry out repairs and safety checks. In some cases, work may need to be done in stages or after certain risks are reduced, but we’ll explain this clearly and support you through the process.