Mental health & feelings · England
Hoarding and support at home
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What hoarding means
Hoarding can make it very hard to let possessions go.
You may feel upset about getting rid of things.
Your home may become difficult to use.
People and homes are different
An untidy home does not always mean hoarding.
Having a collection does not mean hoarding.
Ask for an assessment
Talk to your GP about what is difficult.
They can check your health and help you find support.
Your belongings matter
Explain what your belongings mean to you.
Supporters should listen without judging.
Surprise clear-outs can cause distress.
Agree small steps
Choose a small goal with someone you trust.
Keep doors and walking routes usable.
Get help with anything unsafe to move.
Therapy may help
CBT is a talking therapy.
Ask about CBT for hoarding.
You can ask for information you understand.
Check fire safety
Ask your local fire service about a home safety visit.
Ask about smoke alarms and an escape plan.
Your choices matter
You should have support to make your own decisions.
A cluttered home does not mean you cannot decide things.
Urgent help
For urgent mental health help, call 111 and choose the mental health option.
Call 999 or go to A&E if life is at risk.
Use emergency help if you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe.
What you can do next
Ask for support that respects you and your home.
Agree the next step together.
Read NHS information about hoarding Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- NHS: hoarding disorder Web page
Information about assessment, symptoms and treatment.
- National Fire Chiefs Council: find your fire and rescue service Web page
Contact your local service to ask about advice and home safety visits.
- London Fire Brigade: home fire safety Web page
A free checker and information about visits in London.
- NHS: urgent mental health help Web page
Help for a mental health crisis or emergency.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Hoarding and support at home
Understand hoarding, find compassionate support and agree steps towards a safer, more usable home.
Adults · England · General information
What hoarding means
Hoarding disorder involves persistent difficulty parting with possessions. Letting things go may cause strong distress. Rooms can become difficult to use for everyday activities. Having a collection or an untidy home does not, by itself, mean someone has hoarding disorder. A professional assessment is needed.
Understand what is happening
Speak to a GP about your health, feelings and how the home affects daily life. A mental health specialist may help assess the difficulties. Other explanations, including mobility difficulties, depression or memory problems, may need attention. Hoarding disorder is separate from OCD, although both can occur. Avoid assuming one label explains everything.
Listen without shame
Belongings may have meanings that other people do not understand. Ask what matters to the person. Avoid ridicule, threats or surprise clear-outs. Removing things without addressing the difficulties may leave the person distressed and the clutter may return. Agree what support is welcome and who can be involved.
Agree manageable safety steps
Choose small goals together and review progress. Priorities may include usable exits, safer walking routes and access to the bed, toilet and cooking area. Consider falls, unstable piles, hygiene and any animals' care. Ask for practical help where needed. Do not attempt unsafe lifting or move unstable piles alone.
Ask about therapy for hoarding
Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, can help with thoughts, feelings and decisions about possessions. Ask for someone experienced in hoarding and an approach suited to your needs. Therapy may include agreed practice at home, such as sorting a small area. Progress can take time. Ask for accessible explanations, breaks or communication support.
Get fire safety advice
Possessions near heat sources and blocked exits can increase fire risks. Ask your local fire and rescue service about a home fire safety visit, suitable alarms and an escape plan. The National Fire Chiefs Council directory links to local services. London Fire Brigade offers a free checker and visits according to need. Local arrangements vary.
Keep choice and rights central
A cluttered home or a decision others dislike does not automatically mean someone cannot make decisions. Support informed choices and seek valid consent. Capacity concerns must relate to a particular decision at the relevant time. If serious risks remain, ask appropriate professionals for advice about lawful, proportionate support that restricts rights as little as possible.
Arrange support and know when help is urgent
Ask the council about a care needs assessment if you need support with daily living. Agree who will help and when the plan will be reviewed. For urgent mental health help, contact an urgent GP service or call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. Call 999 or go to A&E if life is at risk or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe.
Words you could use
“Letting things go is difficult for me. Please listen without judging and help me agree safe, manageable steps.”
More useful links
- NHS: hoarding disorder Web page
Information about assessment, symptoms and treatment.
- National Fire Chiefs Council: find your fire and rescue service Web page
Contact your local service to ask about advice and home safety visits.
- London Fire Brigade: home fire safety Web page
A free checker and information about visits in London.
- NHS: urgent mental health help Web page
Help for a mental health crisis or emergency.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 9 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- NHS: hoarding disorder Web page
Assessment, effects on daily life, treatment and distinction from OCD.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust: hoarding disorder Web page
Collecting, other contributing difficulties, compassionate support, practical risks and CBT.
- London Fire Brigade: hoarding advice Web page
Fire risks, escape planning and individual home fire safety advice.
- National Fire Chiefs Council: fire and rescue services Web page
Verified directory for finding the relevant local service.
- London Fire Brigade: home fire safety Web page
Free checker and risk-based route to an in-person visit in London.
- NHS: Mental Capacity Act Web pageFuller information
Support for decisions, decision-specific capacity and least restrictive care.
- NHS: urgent mental health help Web page
Urgent GP and NHS 111 support and emergency thresholds.