Tips for Best Handling a Hoarder Tenant in Your San Mateo Rental Property

It is every landlord’s dream to have a tenant who does not cause any trouble to the neighbors, pays his rent on time, and does not damage the house in any manner. While landlords do their best to thoroughly screen tenants and avoid potentially troublesome ones, one cannot be absolutely sure about a person and their habits just by meeting them a few times.

In cities like San Mateo that have a population of over 100,000, it is safe to assume that you may occasionally encounter hoarders.

Hoarders are people who find it extremely difficult to get rid of their possessions regardless of their value or condition. They store anything & everything they have and become emotionally unstable if they have to depart with it.

Most owners, property managers, and housing associations tread with caution when it comes to hoarders, as you do not want to be seen as disrespectful of your tenant’s space. However, if your house becomes too cluttered or messy or dirty, it may even compromise the safety and sanitation of the property.

Tips for Handling Hoarders in Your San Mateo Rental

• Act with discretion
  The American Psychiatric Association recognizes hoarding as a psychological disorder, and Federal and state laws protect people with mental disabilities. Because of this, it becomes tricky to tell your hoarder tenant to just vacate the property. In the eyes of the law, this becomes discriminatory, and you may have to face legal consequences.
• Identify the difference between untidiness and hoarding
  Visit the property and conduct an initial inspection. Make sure your tenant is indeed a hoarder and not a lazy person instead who has their things scattered all over the place. If the possessions are blocking exits, air ducts, or fire-escapes you should get photographic evidence. Such scattering of possessions has the potential to cause a hazard during emergency situations, such as a fire.
• Talk to your tenant
  If you notice any potential signs of hoarding, you can politely ask your tenant to clean the place. They have a legal obligation to keep the place neat and tidy, so this is well within your rights. Ask them if they need help or if there are any genuine reasons for the clutter.
• Send an official eviction notice
  The last option will be to issue a notice to the tenant and officially ask them to clean up. You need to give them some time to think and act over it. It is natural to feel impulsive in such situations, but maintaining a calm composure is necessary. Even a bad tenant still has legal rights. If your tenant still fails to comply, you can approach your lawyer and issue them an eviction notice.
• Soften the blow
  If you have to ask them to leave, you can offer to cover their moving costs or truck charges to soften the blow. It is crucial to be kind and polite and especially not lose your temper.

It can be tricky to handle bad tenants, especially hoarders. An experienced San Mateo property manager can be invaluable in such a scenario, as they can help you deal professionally in such situations. Bayside Management provides extensive tenant screening services to assist you in selecting good tenants for your property in San Mateo.

Founded in 1982 in Marin County, Bayside Management has expanded to offer full-service San Mateo property management to the entire San Francisco Peninsula. We manage single-family properties, multi-unit complexes, commercial properties, and homeowner associations. Contact us for any San Mateo property management needs.