Help with hoarding

If you believe you have a problem with hoarding, you are not alone. Hoarding is more common than you may think.

There is a range of support available to help you to understand more about the reasons why your hoarding started and how to stop it. 

It is important that you are willing to accept professional help before changes can happen. This means working with someone who understands how hard it can be to let go of things.

Seeking professional help will give you the time you need to manage the challenge of cleaning up your things, under the care of people who understand, are supportive, discrete and respectful.

If you don’t seek professional support, your behaviour and health may get worse. 

Hoarding disorder is a recognised mental health condition in Australia and can be diagnosed by a medical practitioner. Hoarding may also be experienced alongside other issues and conditions, whether diagnosed or not. Support may be available through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (external site). Contact a local NDIS area coordinator (external site) to discuss your options.

Refer to where to get help for more details.

Someone who hoards is more likely to accept help from a person they know and trust.

It's important to approach the situation with compassion and understanding and help your friend or family member to accept help from a mental health professional.

A mental health professional can treat the underlying reason why the hoarding started. Refer to where to get help for more details.

If they agree to accept help, you are much more likely to improve their living conditions and overall wellbeing.

Conversation starter

To find out if your friend or family is ready for help you can ask a few questions to see if they are ready to make changes.

It is important to approach the topic with sensitivity. Your language should be supportive and non-threatening to encourage trust and show empathy for their situation.

Understand their awareness of the situation

• How do you feel about the way your home is right now?
• If you had a bit more space to move around, how do you think that would feel?
• Are there any parts of your home that feel hard to move around or unsafe?

Explore their openness for change

• Are there items that you have thought about parting with recently?
• Would it help to make a few small changes to help you feel safer or more comfortable?
• Do you think now might be the right time to begin making some changes?

Offer support and help

• How would you feel about us working together to make a few changes – when you’re ready?
• Would it be okay to talk to someone who understands how hard it can be to let go of things?
• Would you be open to having someone who is respectful to help you sort through your things your way — do you think that’s something you’d consider

Tips for the conversation

• Use “I” statements: e.g., “I feel worried when I see you struggling to move around. I want to help you to be more comfortable in your home and help you talk to someone who can help you to stop collecting so many things.”
• Avoid words like “junk,” “mess,” or “hoarder”—instead, use their language (e.g., “collection”, “things”).
• Focus on safety and well-being, not cleanliness or appearances.

Learn more by reading hoarding disorder - treatments and causes (external site) or talk to someone from Healthdirect (external site) on 1800 022 222.

When someone doesn’t want to change

It’s possible your family member or friend may not be ready to admit they have an issue and could immediately reject any suggestion to seek professional help. If you can, talk to them about their concerns about seeking help and what other options or ‘harm reduction’ solutions they might consider.

Be patient and attempt to raise the conversation with them again at another time.

Provide them with information on how to seek further help and let them know you are available for support.

Carers

If you are a carer there are support and resources for carers (external site) of family members or friends with disability and mental illness.

Concerns with person’s ability to make decisions

If you are concerned about the person’s mental capacity to make decisions that are in their best interests, you might consider contacting the State Administrative Tribunal about the appointment of guardianship and administration (external site).

The Office of the Public Advocate (external site) provides access to advocacy, guardianship and administration services which protect and promote the financial interests and welfare of adults with a decision-making disability.

If you are concerned about the health and safety of children, elderly or pets who live in the same house where hoarding is taking place you can raise your concerns with the following agencies:

Children

Contact the Department of Communities if you have concerns about the welfare of children. Read concerns for the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person (external site).

Elderly

Support for elderly care is available.

• Contact My Aged Care (external site) for people over 65 (or 50 if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, homeless or at risk of homelessness) to request an assessment.
• Elder abuse support services and resources (external site)
• Home Equity Access Scheme - Services Australia (external site) for information on loans.

Animals

If you suspect animal cruelty and neglect report animal cruelty (external site). Everyone should understand their animal welfare responsibilities (external site).

There are free programs such as the Buried in Treasures (external site) program run by experienced mental health workers designed for individuals ready to work on their personal hoarding challenge.

Check your local community organisations for other programs on offer.

Support groups help connect you to others with similar experiences. Search online or social media platforms for ‘hoarding support groups Western Australia’ (or your local area). The Buried in Treasures (external site) program includes a support group.

Cleaning-up someone’s things can cause significant distress, worsening their condition rather than improving it. This is why seeking mental health support is so important before you attempt cleaning.

Once a person agrees to take steps to clean their living environment cleaning can commence.

Most standard cleaning companies will not enter a space that is not safe to enter.

Specialised cleaning

Specialised cleaning companies are often essential for hoarding situations because they have the expertise, equipment, and sensitivity needed to safely manage potentially hazardous and emotionally challenging environments. Their professional approach ensures both the physical space and the person affected are treated with care and dignity. These services are accessible by searching online and eligible clients may be subsidised through the NDIS (external site), an Aged Care Plan (external site) or other funded programs

Rubbish and recycling removal

There are many WA businesses offering rubbish, recycling and junk removal, hiring of trailers or trucks and other removal services. Search online for a current list of operators and ask if they have experience with hoarding.

Decluttering services

There are specialised de-cluttering services that work with private clients and clients on NDIS plans (external site) or Aged Care Plan (external site), including self-managed clients. Clutter cleaning services aim to be sensitive to the emotional challenges a person may face. These services are accessible by searching online and eligible clients may be subsidised through the NDIS (external site), an Aged Care Plan (external site) or other funded programs. Services may include:

1. a personalised declutter plan
2. sorting and organising
3. cleaning the space
4. support and counselling
5. follow-up visits
6. education and resources to help prevent future hoarding behaviours.

Local government

Many local governments offer ratepayers tip passes or skip bins. Speak to the local government about the services provided.

Forensic clean

In severe cases of squalor (filthy) living conditions, a high quality professional clean or a forensic clean may be necessary from a professional forensic cleaning company.

Cleaning service agreement

Having a written agreement between the individual and the cleaning service can clearly outline which items will be removed during the cleaning process. This documentation helps avoid misunderstandings or accusations that belongings were taken or moved without consent.

Tips for cleaning

When dealing with someone who hoards, remember:

• always get their permission before touching or removing their things
• set small, realistic goals for decluttering and cleaning together
• prioritise cleaning tasks that will encourage good hygiene, improve emergency access and reduce fire risks
• clear space around the toilet, shower/bath and sinks so they can be used
• clear space around external doors and windows so they can open and close
• clear pathways around the house for access by emergency services
• reduce fire risk by clearing clutter around heaters, fireplaces, stove tops, cooking appliances, electrical items and power outlets
• throw out expired food and medications.

Other issues to address:

• check fire alarms are installed and working, consider installing more alarms
• arrange for a pest control company to install rodent and cockroach baits.

The owner or person living in the house is responsible for the upkeep of a house. There are laws that apply to tenants and property owners for maintaining a property.

If the house is:

• public housing – contact the Department of Communities - Housing complaints (external site) to investigate.
• strata property – the strata committee must address the matter in the first instance. Read guide to resolving strata disputes (external site).
• rental property – if known contact the property manager or realestate agent to lodge your concerns.
• a residential house – contact your Local government (external site) to lodge your concerns about a property owner or renter.

It’s essential that the person’s mental health needs are prioritised so they receive appropriate support, and that any intervention focuses on safety and wellbeing rather than actions that could lead to eviction or homelessness. Refer to the Office of Homelessness (external site) for any concerns about homelessness.