I don't think that anyone is suggesting actually allowing a resident's hoarding to continue as a reasonable accomodation (clearly NOT reasonable for so many reasons); it is more with the thought that a reasonable accomodation be in getting assistance in keeping the situation from getting beyond the point of control.

^^ I also would think a rule about having doors/windows accessible and including verbiage in lease about home being kept clean of trash/debris and potential fire hazards could help to curb the problem, no?

I was made aware that you cannot evict a hoarder as it is considered a mental illness! Local governments are still trying to figure out how to handle them!

Wow, Johnny! You would advise a resident to contact the press and housing authority???? Yikes.

What you CAN do, June, as a resident, is ask to transfer to another unit far away from your hoarder neighbor. Give them a choice, fix the problem, transfer you, or you will leave. Be prepared to not only do so, but also alert your local press and the housing authority to the problem.

I wish my apartment was that way. My neighbor is a hoarder and the roaches comes thru the walls into my apartment. The apartment complex knows about it, but nothing is done. unfortunately she has health issues however the hoarding doesn't seem to concern anyone. It drives me crazy. I keep waiting to have more than a roach problem.

That's exactly what I thought when you made your original post; Aprile... Sadly your predecessors did not have adequate controls in place to document and follow up on the issue and you inherited it.

In this case; I would give the resident the benefit of your predecessor's failures, but make it clear to them that you cannot allow the situation to continue or reoccur. Document this in such a way as to make sure that the resident knows AND UNDERSTANDS the consequences. What I would do is have your attorney create an actual 'housekeeping standards addendum' to your lease package that ALL residents must sign that cites specific city codes and consequences of substandard housekeeping. This way the 'problem' resident does not feel singled out.

I would connect this with a spring cleanup deal and rent out a large rollaway dumpster for a couple of weeks for residents to discard bulky items. If you have a local school that can haul away electronic waste for you and use the proceeds for their programs; then I would involve them. I would also offer a community yard sale as a resident retention activity. Roll out the grill and throw some hot dogs on the grill for the residents and charge $1.00 for non residents for a local charity (make it a homeless shelter or food bank).

There is so much you can do for your residents without being in violation of fair housing.