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Ah, this question brings back some pretty horrific and ridiculous memories.
I remember conducting a routine property inspection many moons ago, only to discover the place had effectively been transformed into a storage facility for, well, rubbish. The entire house was crammed with what I would define as junk – everything from cheap ceramic ornaments to towering stacks of old, dusty newspapers. Naturally, I was both mortified and utterly baffled. What’s with all the newspapers?
There was so much stuff packed into the property that it was difficult to move through the rooms without brushing against or knocking into something.
What freaked me most was how completely at ease the tenants seemed with their living conditions. Meanwhile, I stood there wondering why these people weren’t contained in padded cells.
So the million dollar question, can landlords evict tenants for being baffling, messy slobs?
Communication is Key: Talking to Messy Tenants
Awkward.
Super awkward.
I get it!
I’m going to assume that most landlords will have already tried this approach – calmly, rationally, professionally, and with empathy where appropriate – without much success, hence why you may be looking for further options.
But on the off chance you haven’t, this should always be your first port of call. Start with a friendly and frank conversation, and depending on the severity of the situation, follow up with a written letter summarising what was discussed.
The reason for this is to create a clear record that you attempted to resolve the issue amicably, fairly, and professionally. This may prove useful evidence later if the situation escalates and you need to rely on it in a legal context.
What Are Your Next Options?
Your options will largely depend on the severity of the situation, particularly where there is a genuine health or safety risk. Potential options include:
- Serving a Section 8 eviction notice, potentially relying on the following grounds:
- Ground 13 – deterioration of the property due to the tenant’s neglect or behaviour
- Ground 15 – deterioration of furniture provided under the tenancy
- Contacting your local council or environmental health department if the property poses a health hazard
If you do require legal advice with problem tenants and/or evictions, you can access free landlord advice (no obligations) from our partner Legalforlandlords, one of the UK’s most popular and best rated landlord legal services.
Discovering Messy Tenants
In most cases, landlords and managing agents discover they have a messy tenant during a routine inspection or maintenance visit. In more extreme situations – and this is when you know you may have a serious problem on your hands – neighbours may begin complaining because unpleasant smells are seeping and oozing out of the property.
Perhaps a timely reminder of just how important routine property inspections really are. I know they can be a royal pain in the ass for self-managing landlords, but don’t let that put you off. Stay consistent and carry them out regularly. And if you’re using a management company, make sure they are actually conducting the inspections they claim to be doing.
Here’s a guide on landlord property inspections if you’re interested.
Assessing How Bad the Situation Is (i.e. Clutter vs Health Hazards)
In these situations, it is useful to be as objective as possible, because the reality is that everyone has different standards. Who is to say you are not simply being overly particular?
Needless to say, this isn’t an easy situation to manage. When you raise concerns about excessive clutter or mess, you may come across as criticising someone’s lifestyle, which can easily feel personal or insulting. That’s why it’s important to approach the matter carefully and with tact.
I think the first thing to determine is whether we are dealing with general clutter, or a more serious hoarding situation that raises health and safety concerns.
It is important to recognise that someone who causes clutter is not necessarily unclean. For example, there is a clear difference between a property filled with inanimate items and one filled with unsanitary waste that can lead to pest infestations or genuine health hazards. The latter is significantly more serious and may justify contacting your local environmental health department for further investigation.
- Clutter (lower severity):
- May be untidy or poorly organised but not necessarily unhygienic
- Often difficult to rely on a Section 8 notice to end the tenancy
- In many cases, landlords may simply have to tolerate the situation if there is no lawful basis for eviction
- Hoarding / health and safety concerns (higher severity):
- May involve unsanitary conditions, waste build-up, or pest infestations
- Can present genuine risks to health and property condition
- May justify escalation to environmental health or the local council
- May support stronger legal grounds for action, including a Section 8 notice depending on evidence
- Evidence is important, as disputes can arise if the tenant denies the severity of the issue
In both cases, if there is resistance from the tenant, matters can become drawn-out and difficult to resolve without clear documentation and evidence.
It’s worth being mindful that hoarding and severe clutter can sometimes be linked to underlying mental health issues, so sensitivity and a measured approach are essential.
Good luck and stay fresh!
Landlord out xo
Disclaimer: I'm just a landlord blogger; I'm 100% not qualified to give legal or financial advice. I'm a doofus. Any information I share is my unqualified opinion, and should never be construed as professional legal or financial advice. You should definitely get advice from a qualified professional for any legal or financial matters. For more information, please read my full disclaimer.
