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Original poster

To call the police to conduct a wellness check for my hoarder neighbour?

188 replies

Atmywitsend23 · 18/01/2025 15:59

I had posted last week about an awful smell in my new apartment hallway. It transpires my neighbour has been a hoarder for 15yrs and there’s amongst other things, vermin and sewage issues in her apartment. The smell is so incredibly awful that it consumes the hallway and my apartment too. I’ve contacted my landlord, the building owner and the housing regulator to try and get some help to deal with the situation. Nobody seems to be able to do much. Would it be unreasonable to call police or social services for a wellness check? Surely when things are this bad there is a significant mental health issue and someone has a duty of care in this situation?

OP posts:
NewDogOwner · 18/01/2025 16:37

It can really help. The police can engage social services. They did this for our neighbour.

Endofyear · 18/01/2025 16:27

Yes please do speak to adult social services. Your poor neighbour obviously needs help and is likely overwhelmed by her compulsion and the consequences of it. It's a kindness to try and get her some help.

SafeguardingSocialWorker · 18/01/2025 16:09

The police won't go out unless you suspect she is dead or unwell and requires urgent assistance and someone needs to break the door down.

If you know she's currently alive and well but are generally worried about her long term wellbeing and risks then adult social care and environmental health are the appropriate authorities

The4teddybears · 18/01/2025 16:08

Hoarding in a flat is a known fire safety issue.

Try and contact the local fire brigade.
They will have dealt with these issues before and can either help you or point you in the right direction .
Also this is the angle to approach the landlord with. It’s not safe . You’re not interfering .

Original poster
Atmywitsend23 · 18/01/2025 16:06

SafeguardingSocialWorker · 18/01/2025 16:04

Are you in the UK?

Yes, in Scotland if that makes any difference

OP posts:
Original poster
Atmywitsend23 · 18/01/2025 16:05

Thanks for your replies! She’s definitely alive, I have spoken with her recently which is why I was unsure that the police wellness check was the right route to go down. Environmental health is a good idea too, thank you for that! If anyone has any other advice as to how to deal with this I would be very grateful!

OP posts:
SafeguardingSocialWorker · 18/01/2025 16:04

Are you in the UK?

AyrnotAir · 18/01/2025 16:03

You can google the number to call the duty social worker for your area and report the concern. Police welfare check is generally more to do with if you haven't seen someone and believe they could be deceased/being abused etc rather than hoarding.

Overtheatlantic · 18/01/2025 16:03

They might be known to the police. My NDN hoarder certainly is.

Ginkypig · 18/01/2025 16:02

Call adult social services and also the environmental health.

between them they should have the powers to cover both support for this lady and enforce any changes that break the environmental rules.

Dotto · 18/01/2025 16:02

Of course it's not unreasonable. Have they been seen recently? If not call 101

CurbsideProphet · 18/01/2025 16:01

I would definitely call someone to do a welfare check if the smell is that bad. It sounds a sad situation when someone is so obviously neglecting themselves.

princessbear80 · 18/01/2025 16:00

Yes call adult social services, they can check on them.