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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

308 replies

FaLaLaLaLaaaar · 28/12/2021 22:08

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?

OP posts:
AuntyBumBum · 28/12/2021 22:40

How is it a fire risk? My home is full of highly flammable material - wooden floorboards and joists to start with. Just having flammable material in your house is not dangerous. If the electrics aren't safe their house may burn down. But so would yours if yours weren't. Theirs will just burn for longer.

Original poster
FaLaLaLaLaaaar · 28/12/2021 22:40

@Scissor wow you like to dramatise things, huh?

OP posts:
MyGreenTutu · 28/12/2021 22:43

Largely you thank your lucky stars that your house is not joined on to theirs!

The fire brigade will give advice and fit smoke alarms. But not unsolicited; they would need to be called in my the householder or referred by another agency: social services, police, GP etc

crazyjinglist · 28/12/2021 22:43

Don't be ridiculous- mind your own business! Why is it a fire risk?

SaltedCaramelIcedLatte · 28/12/2021 22:43

What has it got to do with you?

Kshhuxnxk · 28/12/2021 22:43

I don't understand how it's a fire hazard?

Northernsoullover · 28/12/2021 22:44

@Gettingthereslowly2020

Report it to environmental health if you think it's really bad. You can find the number or email address on your council's website
Environmental Health won't do anything. Only if there are pests. You need evidence of pests, you can't just say there are everyone tries that. If there are pests it may be classed as filthy and verminous.
Hellolittlestar · 28/12/2021 22:44

It’s none of your business

MyGreenTutu · 28/12/2021 22:45

@AuntyBumBum

How is it a fire risk? My home is full of highly flammable material - wooden floorboards and joists to start with. Just having flammable material in your house is not dangerous. If the electrics aren't safe their house may burn down. But so would yours if yours weren't. Theirs will just burn for longer.
It will burn for longer, be far more difficult to extinguish, and access will be more difficult for emergency services especially if windows and doors or blocked or it's a maze of narrow corridors built from junk. A very big fire and safety risk.
AuntyBumBum · 28/12/2021 22:46

@Kshhuxnxk

I don't understand how it's a fire hazard?
It's code for "lowering the tone"!
ImNotDancing · 28/12/2021 22:48

You take your nose out of their business and focus on your own. Jesus bloody Christ 😹 I thought I’d seen it all on here but god forbid the neighbours have stuff in their home

Original poster
FaLaLaLaLaaaar · 28/12/2021 22:48

@CornishTiger thank you, good and useful information.

I don’t know what to do as the other replies are mostly just to ignore it and do nothing.

I don’t want to cause any trouble for them, but I’m also worried.

OP posts:
justasking111 · 28/12/2021 22:50

Friends lived next door to a house like this, the rats were a problem if you think there is a rat problem then environmental health are useful. Yes it's a fire hazard from a rescue point of view .

Do family or friends visit if so they'll be aware and maybe tried to help before now

Original poster
FaLaLaLaLaaaar · 28/12/2021 22:50

@AuntyBumBum not at all! The front of their house is very tidy, like I said you’d never know. The garden is a bit messy, but nothing terrible.

They put on a good appearance. This not why I am concerned at all.

OP posts:
Poppinjay · 28/12/2021 22:50

The only fire risk they are creating is to themselves if they obstruct their own escape routes.

Compacted paper doesn't burn well so I wouldn't worry about it any more than I would wooden furniture.

JSL52 · 28/12/2021 22:50

@PlanktonsComputerWife

Call the police.
😂
growinggreyer · 28/12/2021 22:51

You keep saying that you don't want to get them into trouble. Are you very young? You don't seem to understand that there is nobody that they need to answer to. They can't BE in trouble for having a messy home, it is their house. They can do what they like and you can't tell on them!

icedcoffees · 28/12/2021 22:51

@AuntyBumBum

How is it a fire risk? My home is full of highly flammable material - wooden floorboards and joists to start with. Just having flammable material in your house is not dangerous. If the electrics aren't safe their house may burn down. But so would yours if yours weren't. Theirs will just burn for longer.
Because everything will catch much quicker than if the house was neat and tidy with plenty of space.

Watch the TV show Hoarders - these people can't even stand on their floors as their homes are so full. Many of them have had house fires and all it takes is for one piece of paper to catch and the entire house goes up in flames.

The fire can't burn out if the entire house and all the contents are flammable and piled up with no gaps.

It also means if a fire starts, people can't get out safely, neither can people get in as the house will just be a wall of stuff and flames.

CriminalOrator · 28/12/2021 22:51

I think kindly, you need to get a grip, to stop peering into other people’s homes and judging what you see, you need to stop banging on about fire risks and you need to move on with your life. That’s it.

icedcoffees · 28/12/2021 22:52

@Poppinjay

The only fire risk they are creating is to themselves if they obstruct their own escape routes.

Compacted paper doesn't burn well so I wouldn't worry about it any more than I would wooden furniture.

This isn't true at all.

House fires can affect all the neighbours as they can cause severe structural damage.

Original poster
FaLaLaLaLaaaar · 28/12/2021 22:52

@justasking111 I don’t know if they have family or friends over.

Despite what other posters may think, I’m not constantly spying on them Wink

OP posts:
LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 28/12/2021 22:53

Call Channel 4, they have a cleaning team!!

XenoBitch · 28/12/2021 22:53

I looked into my neighbours window and saw a "Live Laugh Love" sign on the wall.
Should I get involved? Shall I call the police or social services?

Unsure33 · 28/12/2021 22:53

Actually I disagree. It is a fire hazard and a danger to neighbours. My uncle got reported to the fire brigade and they came round and gave advice and it did lead to him getting some help to clear the house.

FurryAntiWaxer · 28/12/2021 22:53

If there something hazardous like human waste or vermin infestation the council may act. If they have animals the RSPCA may get involved as hoarding plus indoor animals often results in issues with faeces accumulating. If the animals are safe, there are no children and the clutter is cleanish, no one cares.
There's no law capping the amount of magazines and clutter a person can own.

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