Just discovered we live next door to a hoarder - What to do?

[FaLaLaLaLaaaar]

This post makes me sound like a pearl-clutching nosey neighbour, but I honestly don’t know what to do!

We recently moved into a new semi-detached home. Our neighbours to the right (not the one we are attached to) have always been quite pleasant and friendly. They’re a couple in their mid fifties and we often see him going to work, but she stays home.

They always keep their curtains closed, so their house always looks dark and you’d never know they were home.

Whilst popping out to the car earlier, I noticed their living room curtains were open (they don’t have any nets) and a light bulb was on, so I could see straight in. I WAS SO SHOCKED! Their entire living room is piled high to the light bulb with boxes and magazines! Every single space was full and some had fallen down. I am guessing their cat must have pulled the curtains down as god know how they would’ve got to them to open them!

DH said when he was trimming our trees he saw in from the garden and their dining room and kitchen appear to be in similar conditions. I’m assuming this means every room in their house must be like this too.

What should we do? I don’t want to get them in any trouble, but this is a massive fire hazard and although we are not attached to them, I do worry about the amount of flammable materials in there.

So do we just ignore this and do nothing?

Or should we call the fire brigade or something?

@Zwellers - it wouldn't be guilt for the actions of others, but because of my own inaction - I’d believe that I could have done more to prevent the tragedy.

Why would someone in their fifties with no mobility issues fall?

@RoyalFamilyFan
Well I suppose if they live in a house full of crap and limited means to move around they could easily fall over something
Although In my neighbours house you could hardly move anywhere let alone fall over as there stuff piled ceiling high everywhere

For people with an actual hoarding disorder -
It isn’t a ‘choice’ it’s driven by psychological difficulties often related to childhood difficulties

Therefore if civil society is aware that someone with hoarding disorder is going under the radar - continuing to add to their hoard, due to the risk to the hoarder, people they live with, dependants and at times the community (fire risk, vermin.etc) it might cause the hoarder some irritation but it may be the start of them accessing some suitable support
Yeh, not your business …. Great community spirit !!

Haphazardly piled stuff can easily fall over and hurt someone. People have died that way before.

Yes they have died. It really depends how they have stored their hoard.

My friend lived next to a hoarder in an apartment block. One time my friend came out of her flat when the hoarder came out of hers. Just past the hoarder's shoulder my friend spotted a rat leaping from one pile of newspapers to another. She called environmental health who found that the flat was hoaching with rats nesting in heaps of paper and magazines. Fire Brigade declared a fire hazard and somebody like Rentokil were called in.

Call the fire brigade indeed, what do you think they'll do, turn up with a skip?

🤣🤣