Dealing with a hoarder in a condo

Thanks everyone.

shalamoosha

in General Discussion 9 years and 9 months ago

7

Please log in, in order to post replies!

7 replies

Newest Oldest

shalamoosha | 9 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5062 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5050 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181648"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "shalamoosha"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bivx2hAyNdiuui3o5MrlKWBceQT3qE/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "shalamoosha"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "bhoulding@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:45:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "shalamoosha"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181648)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I am looking for advice on dealing with a hoarder whose apartment is likely a fire hazard, is the source a mice, flies and foul odors that have permeated the rest of the building. The condo is considering foreclosing on a lien we filed for non payment of maintenance. Has anyone successfully used Adult Protective Services or taken other action through the city or state, or social services? Are there downsides to calling the city or taking formal action that we should be aware of? Some in the building are concerned the building could be fined for health hazards that we can’t control. Letters and talking to hoarder aren’t working. Thanks.

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5061 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5060 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(54) "http://www.brownstoner.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I would guess that the concerns about being fined are valid. The board needs to engage a proper lawyer who has experience in these matters.

EJR | 9 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5050 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5057 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "79362"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "EJR"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B.h6vu7ImM77fV6j0TvRwlieo3mAr4/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "ejr"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "ejrothman@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(45) "http://www.brownstoner.com/forums/users/ejr2/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:30:58"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "EJR"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(79362)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Given the number of competing issues here (foreclosing on a lien against the shareholder, possible eviction proceedings, fines levied by the city against the co-op, etc.), it’s really time to hire a lawyer as DIBS notes. You’re not going to get sufficient advice on a forum for this one.

slopefarm | 9 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5062 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5063 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "655"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BK7dzbqXJe9TV6iU0glcNZiXdOt9CR1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "jrubin@law.nyc.gov"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopefarm/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(655)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Agree with the above. You want to take only the legal steps you are entitled to, and not overstep. Not just foreclosing on the lien, but do the condo by-laws give any right to enter premises to address nuisances of a certain degree? I have no idea, but have lawyer look over all the relevant condo docs to see what remedies.

Perhaps call HRA to see what resources are available and what they can/can;t do based on what is essentially a neighbor’s call. If you can have the nuisance addressed through services, better than a long, drawn out legal battle that doesn’t resolve the nuisance in the short run.

shalamoosha | 9 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5061 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5064 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181648"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "shalamoosha"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bivx2hAyNdiuui3o5MrlKWBceQT3qE/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "shalamoosha"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "bhoulding@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:45:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "shalamoosha"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181648)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Okay thanks – I was hoping someone on the forum had dealt with the situation, not because we won’t use a lawyer but I was hoping people have had successful experiences addressing this type of situation. Thanks for the feedback.

resident2 | 9 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5050 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5065 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181002"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BYKCrEpDU34.3RJghRPk8/Xp1XpCve/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "Jamanda1255@Yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:33"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181002)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Social Services of any kind are extremely slow to respond to help. That said the only group that are sometimes helpful is the Age Protection Services if the person is a senior citizen, they will help to get the help of the social service agencies needed to help.
As a landlord I have found it absolutely impossible to deal with a hoarder especially if they are rent controlled or rent stabilized, the City knows that then the person will become their problem and they would rather the landlord deals with it. As a Condo it will be more difficult to get them out than if it was a Co-Op that is for sure.
Foreclosing on the lien will be the quickest… even though that will take months to years depending on getting the right Attorney etc.

Arkady | 9 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5064 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5062 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If the owner is in arrears to the condo, I’d presume he/she is also delinquent w/ the bank. Maybe the lender will take steps as well & you’d be doing the person a favor by getting help from social services.