Advice please - very Sensistive

maisie1234

All, a very close relative is a serious hoarder. Of an age where he is not going to change. You cannot get in the front door. They live in a very large house. On their death I suspect it will fall to myself and my sister to sort out the house. Its literally like one of those houses you see in a documentary.

I suspect house clearance companies are the way to go but where to start in looking for key pieces of paperwork. I must stress - it really is a nightmare house.

The person concerned doesnt really see as their issue.

Can anyone guide me? I would like to prepare myself and have some information.

rpc

I wouldn't worry for now unless there is some reason to expect that they will pass soon.


Is the estate likely to have much value? For a small-but-difficult or insolvent estate, it can be best just to walk away.

Is there a will? If not, are you familiar with the administration process and who gets first dibs at being administrator?

maisie1234

The house is worth over £1 million but in a terrible state. No maintenance carried out for years.

Person is in their 80's and not in the best of health. House is a fire risk and also that person is in danger of falling due to the state of the house.

maisie1234

No will made I believe and I could be benefitting. Or the estate could be left to a charity. The family dont know and wouldnt necessarily believe what this person said.

I know the house should be cleared at least to mkae living more comfortable whilst they are living there but the person refuses. I know that they should make a will and leave their money to whoever they like. But we are not talking about someone rational here.

LEJC

This is a really distressing situation for everyone concerned....
I was in a similar situation with my mother and her house a few years ago so I know how difficult it is to see someone you love living in squalid conditions....but Ive also seen how difficult and resistant it is for them to see that whilst you are acting in their best interests its not what they want you to do.
It all depends really whether you want to help this person declutter prior to death or you indeed want to pass it over to house clearance etc once they are no longer around....one thing I would say though is whilst you see it as clutter you have to change your mindset to the fact that potentially they dont...it is their life the way they live and although its not to your taste you have to acknowledge its their choice.


In itself even thats a difficult thing to do and you do say they are irrational...my mother suffered with dementia and it was an extremley fine line between doing what we wanted and what she wanted.....initially have you thought about offering to help the person locate any important documents etc and offering to keep them somewhere safe etc....that way you may be able to scale down the amount of unwanted clutter a little easier than telling them its time for a clear out.
My mothers collection was essentially clothes although ornaments and niknaks came a close second...and im quite open with the fact that over the space of perhaps a month we cleared out over 150 bin bags af unrequired items to various charity shops under the pretense of "creating her a little more room in the dining room!
I was very wary of using a house clearance firm as I felt it was too impersonal and we took around 3 moths taking one element at a time and talking through memories etc at the same time....it was on reflection a time where we all learnt a lot about eachother and created a more visitor friendly hoise for her.


good luck with your journey forward

getmore4less

There is a fine line here. Especialy if you want to try and make some progress now.



There may also be hidden sentimental or valuable things within the pile of stuff.

It may be a good idea for the family(as many as possible) to be prepared to blitz the place once the time comes, looking, sorting, chucking away.

It might need bit of planning and people taking a week of work etc.

it is suprizing how quick you can get through stuff if you have the hands and the eyes that know stuff that might be important to keep.

A first pass will probably make the job managable from then on.

Maybe time for the family to talk and someone to familiarize themselves with the administration process.

One angle will be the assets, are they hourders of meoney as well, ther is likely to be a heafty IHT bill unless the cats home is getting it all(which will save a lot of work).

McKneff

If there is no will, and you are not next of kin, you won't be benefitting at all,


It will go to next of kin. What relation is this person to you.


Verbal means nothing.

maisie1234

I am the daughter

uknick

My brother passed away suddenly last year. He lived alone and was, to say the least, a hoarder.

I thought about getting a house clearance company in, but did the job myself. I originally decided to do it because I thought the quotes were all very high. But also, I was in the position I could spend time clearing the house.

In the end, I was glad I did clear it as I found many items of sentiment he had collected over the years that were buried in boxes. Many of these were given to our mother who greatly appreciates them.

maisie1234

Thank you for all your responses. This is really really bad though. Its a 6 bed house and its literally stuffed full with old papers, and god knows what else. I was thinking when the time came - get lots of people in each room sorting out. Then get a house clearance in for the big pieces of furniture. We are talking 100's of bags of rubbish though. Then see what we are left with. House obviously wont have been cleaned for years. Perhaps get in a professional cleaning company to give the place a clean. At the same time get a few estate agents in to value and maybe see what contacts they have on house clearance and cleaning. House is in London btw. Nice street.

BTW - does the estate pick up the bill for this. I might or might not be a beneficary. If he left his estate to a local charity who would pay for all of this and funeral expenses, house clearing costs etc?

I know this is going to be complex - thinking of using the solicitor who is currently doing our own wills to help. What would they charge. I dont want to have to do myself.

There is also a strong likelyhood that he wont have got around to making a will when he passes. He says he will but if he hasnt done anything so far what will ensure that he does now.....

Errata

This may seem a bit left field; have a informal chat with Rentokil about their specialist house clearance service.