When an adjuster or restoration contractor unknowingly walks into a claim involving a hoarding situation, the immediate response tends to be, “Oh no.” Hoarding claims are more complex because merely entering the home can be a challenge; there are a significant amount of contents involved along with unknown risks.
It may be hard to tell from the outside of a home that hoarding will be an issue. The curtains might be closed and there may be a collection of items in the backyard, but usually it is apparent the moment someone steps into the house. A number of television shows depict how these individuals live, what they collect and their inability to part with their belongings.
Frequently, items are stacked haphazardly from floor to ceiling or just piled in a room until it is impossible to enter the space safely. There will be a mixture of items that most would consider trash – used boxes and bags, old newspapers and magazines, junk mail and the like – mixed in with clothes, shoes, knick-knacks, books and other objects. Since no one can enter the rooms, it's difficult to know what's actually in them and if there are any problems adjusters should anticipate with the claim.
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