Levels of Hoarding: Do you know someone on this scale?

9/12/2016 (Permalink)

This home was a level 3 on the hoarding scale.

HOARDING - The easiest definition of hoarding is when the amount of acquired clutter prohibits functionality in the home. This means that functional areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and dining rooms cannot be used for their intended purpose. 

There are 5 levels of hoarding:

LEVEL ONE A level 1 household is clean and livable with some clutter, and perhaps occasional pet odors. Clutter is not excessive. Home exhibits good housekeeping and safe and healthy sanitation. Some pest evidence — a few mouse droppings or an ants invasion — might be found in a Level 1 house. All doors and stairways of the home are accessible.

LEVEL TWO In a level 2 house, clutter inhabits two or more rooms. One major appliance hasn’t worked for at least six months. Limited evidence of housekeeping, light unpleasant odors, overflowing garbage cans, light to medium mildew in kitchens and bathrooms, and moderately soiled food preparation surfaces. Some pet odor, pet waste puddles, light pet dander, three or more incidents of feces in litter boxes. Limited fish, bird or reptile care and light to medium evidence of common household rodents/insects.

LEVEL THREE Levels 3 continues but with floor to ceiling clutter, including visible clutter outdoors. Two or more appliances are broken. Stagnant fish tanks, neglected reptile aquarium and/or bird droppings not cleaned. Audible rodent evidence, light flea infestation, and some spider webs. Indoor clutter leads to narrow hall and stair pathways, one bedroom or bathroom isn’t fully usable. Excessive dust, dirty bed linens and no recent vacuuming or sweeping. Heavily soiled food preparation areas and full, odorous garbage cans. Unpleasant odors throughout the house.

LEVEL FOUR Structural damage such as leaks or broken windows, unusable bathrooms, rotting food and significant pest infestations. Mold and mildew. One or more bedroom is unusable, hazardous materials are stored in the home, and flammable, packed materials are in the living area or attached garage. Rotting food on counters, one to 15 cans of aged canned goods with buckled surfaces, no clean dishes or utensils in the kitchen, no bed covers.

LEVEL FIVE Obvious structural damage, broken walls, disconnected electrical service, no water service, no working sewer or septic system. Standing water indoors, fire hazards and hazardous materials exceed local ordinances. Pets are dangerous to occupant and guests. Rodents in sight, mosquito or other insect infestation and regional critters, such as squirrels, inside the home. Kitchen and bathroom unusable due to clutter. Occupants are living or sleeping outside the home. Human feces, rotting food and more than 15 aged canned goods with buckled surfaces will be found inside the home. A person with a level 5 hoarding problem can sometimes not live in his own home because there is nowhere to sleep and the bathroom and kitchen are unusable.

If you know someone who rates on this scale give us a call and see if we can help.