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

[Atmywitsend23]

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?

Any updates?

Thank you all for your advice. Unfortunately the situation has got considerably worse. Environmental health visited the building and tried to investigate. She refused to co-operate or open the door to them, however they could smell sewage from the hallway. They posted a letter to her that said she needed to contact them regarding the issue as there had been complaints. That night in response, she defecated in the hallway and smeared it on the wall in what I can only assume was a protest?! I have been in touch with environmental health again today who said they can’t do anything more. The housing association has said they will investigate but won’t give any more information due to GDPR. I have told the housing association that if it’s not resolved by the end of the week I’ll call the police and issue a welfare concern for her. I’m not sure they can do much though!

If anyone has any advice I’d be really grateful. I thought about speaking to a property lawyer to see if I’m able to sue the housing association but I’m not sure I can. The whole thing has made me so exhausted and miserable

@Atmywitsend23 i think its more of a mental health issue??? She might need sectioning for her own good?? If she's that bad she's not looking after herself properly then it might be the kindest thing. Can you contact social services and make them aware of the situation??? Sorry if you have already been told this. It sounds horrible for you

I think you need good legal advice (shelter).
her behaviour makes your home uninhabitable, your landlord might be liable to help rectify the situation.

I’ll call the police and issue a welfare concern for her. I’m not sure they can do much though

They most likely wouldn't come out in these circumstances & would refer you to Social work etc. Her issues are clearly MH related. Social Services are a better option, they're in a position to actually help her.

I expect the smell of sewage inside the flat will be because she isn’t able to use her toilet anymore - either because it’s blocked/broken or the hoard is in the way.

I’m not sure if it’s the case in Scotland, but you might be able to speak to Social Services to report a vulnerable adult in need of help. Sounds like there are bigger MH issues at play than just hoarding.

Good luck with finding a solution it must be awful for you to live next to.

My next door neighbour in a previous house had their services cut off and weren't allowed to live in their house as it was classed as a fire hazard. A call to the fire brigade might be really useful as others have previously said.

How awful. I hope she gets the help she needs for both of your sakes.

This sounds awful for you and the poor woman sounds in a bad way 😔 can you contact adult social services?

Yes, don’t wait until the end of the week. The police need to do a wellness check, and hopefully they will then call a mental health crisis team.. sounds like urgently needs help( sectioning).

Things sound really horrible, I can only offer a couple of thoughts.

Firstly, if you know your neighbour’s name, you could try phoning local GP’s and say you have very serious concerns for your neighbour’ physical and mental state (explain what’s been going on); state that you don’t know if she is on their list and you realise they cannot discuss any details with you but you are seeking support for her. Repeat with as many local GP Practices as you can, they have a duty to listen to you, and a duty to her if she is on their books.

Secondly, here is some info from Citizens Advice Scotland regarding the safety issues regarding your accommodation, your rights, and what to do.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/housing/fire-safety-s/if-youre-worried-your-home-isnt-fire-safe/

Thirdly, contact your local City/County Councillor, or MP and tell them what’s going on. You can’t sort this on your own but you can certainly get the ball rolling. Keep notes of who you have contacted and when, so you can quote what you’ve done and tried to get done to help your neighbour. None of you should have to put up with this.

Good luck. Please let us know how things are going.
FFAB

It just sounds so awful, I hope you get some resolution.

This is a subject I know a little bit about. The best thing you can do is contact your local Environmental Health department and tell them your concerns. But the magic word that triggers fast action is telling them you have seen vermin.

Best of luck. Hoarding is a horrible and tragic illness.

Sorry OP I posted after only reading the posts on the first page so didn't see your awful update. It is such a horrendous situation.

However, I would repeat that the magic word that gives Environmental Health some pretty impressive powers is 'vermin' (so rats, basically). It's bizarre that this will make them swing into action, when the poor woman openly defecating won't.

I second calling the fire service. They will visit her and tell her to clear it.

Also add that in Scotland social services will get involved. She likely has one already.

Was the smell there when you viewed the flat? If so, did they cover the smell to get your signature on the rental document? If she’s been a hoarder for 15 years it hasn’t suddenly started to smell last week. So is there any legal action you can start against your landlord or anyone? I think you might have to make a nuisance of yourself, everyone appears to be doing very little.

Regarding @Arraminta‘s post above, I think you’ve definitely seen vermin.

Be a nuisance. And do it via the phone and in writing.

Fire brigade. It really is something they get involved with.

www.london-fire.gov.uk/news/2023/may/firefighters-offer-support-to-those-with-hoarding-tendencies-over-concerns-cost-of-living-crisis-could-increase-fire-risk/

Horrendous - for you and for her.

I would try @Arraminta 's suggestion of mentioning vermin to environmental health in the hope they will re-engage.

I would also DEFINITELY contact social services and I would use the word 'crisis'. The woman is in crisis and so is your housing situation.

Citizens advice might have some suggestions also.

If she's smearing faeces in communal spaces then it has gone beyond her personal behaviour in her private space where she is living horribly but is an adult so unless sectioned would be classed as having capacity and making her own choices.. into a public health issue.

I imagine the actions available are slow but I would be making a lot of noise to fire, Env health, social services etc... But I really feel for you as she won't change voluntarily and there are probably few actions the authorities can take, so for you to have to try to drum up support for your situation is horrendous when you're already severely affected. 💐

Really sorry to hear you're going through this op

Smearing in a public place is surely some kind of criminal offence? So I’m thinking you call the police in the hope that this will get them involved and making welfare referrals that are less likely to be ignored

Contact your local award councillors, who will have direct contacts in Social work/Health and Social Care Partnership, Environmental Health, police, wardens and fire service. Councils also have multi agency meetings regularly , whereby all those above are involved and vulnerable people are highlighted and discussed.

You're private renting? I'd be giving notice on property asap and looking for something else. Abhorrent your landlord and housing association have taken no real action.