HOARDER: Tony Templers' neighbours are complaining about the state of his property.

Hamilton City Council is keen to resolve health and fire safety issues with a Mardon Rd hoarder "at the lowest level".

Tony Templer's house is full to the rafters with possessions, and neighbours are worried it is a health and safety risk to Templer and themselves.

CitySafe unit manager Kelvin Powell said it would be possible to issue a notice giving Templer 20 days to clean up the property, but wanted to take a softer approach.

"We want him to be engaged and part of the process. He has shown previously that he is able to clean it up to a reasonable standard," said Powell.

"We're keen to resolve this at the lowest level."

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He said the Building Act could also be invoked, but all that would achieve would be to stop Templer from staying at the address.

He wouldn't have to clean it up.

"We've visited the address [Tuesday], we've had another meeting [Wednesday].

"We're intending to meet the owner within the next day or two.

"We're going to try for voluntary compliance by him," said Powell.

"This is not a new thing, obviously we've dealt with him a number of times.

"I have seen photographs of when he has tidied it up previously, and it is quite significantly different from how it presented [on Tuesday]."

The council's powers are limited in these situations, and in any case it may not be appropriate to enforce action on Templer.

"My understanding is that hoarding is a condition," said Powell.

"And some would argue it's just a question of degree."

He said everybody collects things, whether it be football cards or bottle tops.

"The storage or the retention of other things in his property, which other people may consider to be trash or rubbish, is clearly not for him.

"So this is a question of one man's trash is another man's treasure," said Powell.

"He has a view that some of these things are important and valuable to him."

jamie.small@fairfaxmedia.co.nz