Are you renting out your Lexington, Kentucky property? Do you have the misfortune of having renters who are hoarders? Is your rental property now a hoarder home? Don’t worry, you’re on the right page. This article will tell you everything you need to know about dealing with hoarders in your Lexington, KY property.

What Is A Hoarder Home?

A hoarder home is a home inhabited by a hoarder. In technical terms, a person with a hoarding disorder is called a hoarder. Hoarding is a perceived need to keep, and not get rid of, endless amounts of things. A person with this condition may feel extreme stress when someone even suggests getting rid of something, even if it is essentially trash. Predictably, hoarding can result in some very unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

Property Damage Caused by Hoarding

If you aren’t certain that you have a hoarder living in your premises, here are some examples of property damage caused by hoarding you should look out for on your next property inspection.

\

Structural damage

Structural damage happens when the weight of the hoarder’s things causes damage to the structural integrity of the home. The number of items in the home, and the way they are stored, can create an increased liability risk of trip and fall hazards. For instance, a full attic can collapse under the weight of the hoarded items inside. Keep in mind that a hoarder doesn’t store things methodically; he or she will usually stack items on top of each other with no regard for how they are stored. This can result in uneven distribution of weight which can cause fragile flooring to collapse.

\

Mold growth

Hoarders also tend to hold on to food, even long after it has spoiled. When rotting food is left out for days, weeks, or even months, it can lead to mold growth. You can usually spot mold growth in the refrigerator, the pantry, the kitchen shelves, and anywhere food might be stored. When unattended, mold can easily spread to the walls and floors of the property, damaging it in the process.

\

Vermin infestation

When there’s rotting food, you can surely expect a vermin infestation to follow. Aside from mold, rotting food can also attract cockroaches, rats, and flies, among others. The presence of vermin in the hoarder house not only spreads dangerous diseases, but it can also lead to holes in the shelves and cabinets, stains on the carpet, and other property damage. It goes without saying that living in a home with vermin infestation is unsafe and unsanitary.

\

Plumbing damage

In extreme situations, a hoarder may even cause plumbing damage to your property. Clogged drains may result in sewer backups that leak into the floors and cause sanitation issues.

\

Damage caused by pets

Hoarders may also be hoarding pets. This means that they choose to keep more animals than they can realistically take care of. With lots of animals living in a crowded space, it can often result in animal urine and feces saturating the surfaces of your home. This problem then becomes a serious health hazard.

What Can You Do?

There are no laws that prohibit hoarding, but the act itself might result in problems that become code violations–then you can make the necessary steps to evict the hoarder. Examples of violations that could justify an eviction include:

Causing direct property damage
Storing perishables which attract mold or vermin
Violating the lease agreement (such as housing pets)
Blocking emergency exits
Interfering with fire sprinklers or ventilation systems

If all else fails, you can always opt to sell your home. If you’re thinking of selling your home, why not choose to sell to a professional home buyer? The process is quick, painless, and you get paid in cash. Interested? Look no further than Rylo Homes. Here at Rylo Homes, we buy houses for cash in Lexington, KY. We can help you get a property you no longer want off your hands. Better yet, you no longer have to deal with hoarding renters!

NEED TO LEARN MORE?

If you live in Lexington, Kentucky and are interested in selling your home, we can help here at Rylo Homes. We are a real estate solutions company that specializes in solving your real estate problems for you. We are cash homebuyers in Lexington, KY, and will act as your personal guide during your home selling process.

Our goal at Rylo Homes is to improve the overall quality of housing for the residents at Lexington, KY. We buy houses in just about any condition and situation, including foreclosure, late mortgage payments, or fair market value. When you choose to sell to us, you don’t have to wait weeks and months just to get good offers. We’re direct buyers and we pay in cash to arrange a quick close. For more information about our home buying process, give us a call at (502) 513-4430 today.