As someone who works for a city, this is a common problem that we deal with often. Unfortunately there is little that can done on an official basis. Unless she's unable to care for herself or is a danger to others, a serious health code violation is the only thing a city can act on. Simply hoarding isn't one of them.

A typical health code issue we deal with is when the property is infected with rats. As for being a fire hazard, almost anything in a private residence is allowed. When hoarding gets to a certain level our FD is advised and they may or may not make an interior fire attack because of there safety.

As a city, these are a pain to deal with and take many hours of work and documentation not to mention legal costs. Getting family member involved is the secret.

Where do you live that your townhome that doesn't already have a water sprinkler system built inside?
You are obviously only concerned about the mouse in your basement. You work 12 hour days how the hell would you see people visiting her or her taking her dog out in.those 12 hours you're gone? You are truly an asshole OP.

OP,

It's extremely possible that your mouse issue has nothing to do with her, but I have lived in the neighborhood for years. Store food (even dog food) in canisters with lids. Make sure that the access to the outside where mice can come through are sealed. Protective service won't do anything about this--they might for a person hoarding a 100 cats or something.

If you're worried about fire, you could install sprinklers in your home. Any kind of neighbor could start a fire that could spread.

Anonymous wrote:MoCo has a hoarding task force that operates out of their Dept of Health and Human Services.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/Resources/Files/Reports/finaltaskforceonhoardingbehaviorreport.pdf

Thanks, any experience with this task force?

Anonymous wrote:OP, I have no personal experience but I would report--both for her own health/safety as well as the welfare of her animals. What if there was a fire and she couldn't get out, or fire fighters were not able to locate her? I've heard of fires in homes as not a uncommon situation with hoarders.

Good luck.

Thanks-- The vermin issue just makes me that much more thinking about the safety issue for her and for everyone. It is such a bad situation. There was a nephew who used to come by regularly in the first year but I have not seen him in a while. I take care of one hedge that can block her walkway. I know she gets the daily newspaper and I see that it is taken in every day. She will never answer her door if you knock, but she will respond to phone messages and chat outside of her house.

I know certain people will continue to flame me for describing the mouse issue, but whether it is directly related to her or not, it is just a tippI got point for making me try to think about what the heck to do about this situation.

MoCo has a hoarding task force that operates out of their Dept of Health and Human Services.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/Resources/Files/Reports/finaltaskforceonhoardingbehaviorreport.pdf

You aren't seeking genuine helpful advice or thoughts as you've already received several posts containing those. Your mouse problem has nothing to do with your neighbor.

OP, I have no personal experience but I would report--both for her own health/safety as well as the welfare of her animals. What if there was a fire and she couldn't get out, or fire fighters were not able to locate her? I've heard of fires in homes as not a uncommon situation with hoarders.

Good luck.

"your gut feeling" lol

I am in MoCo.
I knew this post would get nasty/troll responses.
I am looking for opinion/advice for if this continues. I honestly wondered how she would survive day to day without her husband when he died. In the neighborhood, we all do the best for her that we can. Again, my gut feeling is that this has just been an inevitable thing in the making over the past few years. She has a small dog whom I have not seen her take outside for at least a year and I know she has him use pee pads or wear a diaper. I could give more information but that is not the point.
Any genuinely helpful advice/thoughts/experience?

You are a typical asshole nosy neighbor. Do nothing, mind your own business. You have mice, go clean your basement.

Are you by chance in Arlington? The county has a hoarding task force that includes mental health professional. You can call in a confidential tip if you are concerned about someone's safety. https://building.arlingtonva.us/resource/hoarding/

Unless you have proof she is in a dangerous situation MYOB. Hearing 2nd hand she has stacks of newspapers piled up is not proof. Mice are common. It's cold and they are trying to get inside to warmth.

Honey, you don't need a hoarder as a neighbor to have mice in your house. It's so disturbing that your post offers no concern for the health and safety of this woman but focuses on mice droppings outside and inside your home.

I live in a townhouse and my neighbor two homes away is a hoarder. In the neighborhood, we know this because her husband died very suddenly a few years ago and at that time another neighbor saw inside their house when the ambulance came and there were piles of newspapers and books and stuff everywhere. At that time, I had hoped that the EMTs would report her to Adult Protective Services because stacks of newspapers had made it difficult to get into the house but I don't think anything was reported.

Fast forward a couple of years and the neighbor inbetween me and the hoarder had a mouse in her basement for the first time ever. She has a cat and the cat killed the mouse and broght to her of course! LOL and, she has not had more mice since.

Yesterday I noticed mouse droppings in a little shed in my backyard where I put trash until it needs to go out. And... I also saw that mice clearly got into some sealed bags of dog treats in my basement that I noticed the same day. Based on when I ordered those those dog treats from Amazon (New for me to order and store them where I did) this all has to be new within the past few weeks.

After a 12 hour workday (just had to add that to whine!), I stopped by Home Depot and got mouse traps and plastic bins/containers for the dog food and treats I store in the basement. So, fingers crossed that I am nipping it in the bud... but....

Here's my dilemma/question:
I know this neighbor, she is a nice woman in her 60s, and I know hoarding has a mental illness. She has a number of physical health issues and a couple of very kind neighbors take her to appointments (though I know they are feeling at their limit). She has very little family in the area or anywhere. She never had children. It's possible that my mouse issue has nothing to do with her, but I have lived in the neighborhood for years, and my gut feeling is that this is related to her hoarding. My understanding is that it is no un common for orders to be reported to protective services either when an ambulance comes or when vermin affects neighbors. Her hoarding is also a fire hazard for her and our connected houses. I have compassion for her and I also know that this is the type situation that will likely not get better until something drastic happens. Thoughts/advice???