Mummified body found in house by cleaners after occupant's death one year ago

An unidentifiable body found at a home on Sydney’s lower north shore after being discovered by cleaners may have been hidden by the occupant before his own death.

Police have confirmed the person, whose gender is unknown at this stage, died a "considerable time" ago and are treating the death as suspicious.

Officers from North Shore Police Area Command were called to the Greenwich deceased estate on Greendale Street on Tuesday, where they established a crime scene which is still being forensically examined.

The body is the second to found at the property in close to a year. Picture: AAP

Police say the occupant of the home died close to a year ago. Picture: 9NEWS

It is believed the body has been at the home for a considerable time, possibly more than a year, and a post mortem is being conducted this afternoon to establish the person’s gender and the cause of death.

Nextdoor neighbours Gayle and Robert Meagher told 9NEWS the body was found under a rug in the home.

"The workmen who had been clearing the home said that they had found a body under a rug in the back room," Mrs Meagher said.

Nextdoor neighbours Gale and Robert Meagher told 9NEWS the body was found under a rug in the home. Picture: 9NEWS

"He was a bit shaken and we were obviously too. It was very creepy.

"It's very sad especially when you don't know how it happened."

The pair said this was not the first time a body had been discovered at the home.

A post mortem is being conducted this afternoon. Picture: 9NEWS

North Shore Police Area Command and the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad remove evidence. Picture: AAP

"The occupant, Bruce (Roberts), was found dead in the home and they had to break in," Mrs Meagher said.

"He was found dead last June. No-ones been near the home. The home would have been fairly bad inside. He had mental issues and was a bit of a recluse.

"Everything was locked up. You couldn't see inside the windows. We would just hear him or see him outside always in a big, brown coat regardless of the weather."

According to the ABC, police believe Mr Roberts, labelled a hoarder, may have hidden the body rolled up in carpet before his death.

Police were called to the home on Greendale Street on Tuesday. Picture: 9NEWS

An investigation has been launched in an attempt to identify the circumstances surrounding the death, with local police being assisted by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Following the death of the occupant close to a year ago, the owners had organised for the property to be cleaned this week.

Police are urging anyone who may know the identity of the deceased, or who has information that may assist, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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