A man claims he keeps being rejected by landlords because of his fully tatted face, 11 children, a pet crocodile and snake. He says that landlords are put off by his appearance.
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Gareth Holliday has been having trouble finding a house on account of his unconventional appearance.
His fully tatted face which covers everything but part of his forehead is what stands between him and a home rental agreement. Holliday says that he needs to make a move before Christmas but is finding it hard to do so considering landlords are put off by his appearance.
Holliday also has 11 children that he needs to help find space for along with a pet crocodile named Missy and a pet snake.
He says he has met with 20 different agents with no luck and pleads for people to look beyond the surface.
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Holliday needs to find a space for himself now that he has separated from his partner of 8 years and needs a place where he can meet his children.
Holliday has been couch surfing during his search but says landlords fail to see that he is a 'chilled out, easy-going guy'.
Holliday’s crocodile is a 4ft African Dwarf crocodile that he has a license for. His other pet is an 11ft snake.
He claims that both animals are ‘self-contained’ and should not deter landlords from offering him a space.
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Mr Holliday, who is a recovering drug addict and sober for the past three years says that he had to leave to hotel provided by the council for him due to his health. His doctor said that being in the hotel would be a hazard to his heath because of 'other people there causing him distress through their habits'.
The council provided hotel also only had a microwave in which he could cook food which was a problem considering his Type 1 Diabetes.
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Holliday says, “I love my tattoos, I wouldn’t have had it done if I didn’t.
"But I do feel I’m being discriminated [against] because of them. They don’t know me. I have been through a lot of crap but since being with my new partner, Claire, for the last two months, it has changed my way of living, it’s just the housing that is driving me mad.
“I want somewhere I can call home, not have to worry about where I’m going to sleep next.
"I have a nice collection of friends where I’m lucky enough to be able to ask ‘can I sleep at yours tonight?’ but all I want is to be at mine.
“I have done the crazy wild stuff, all I want to do is chill and enjoy life now.”
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He also tried to fill in an application for homelessness but was rejected because he wasn’t under threat of abuse or violence.
Returning to his marital home is also not an option for the crime scene cleaner.
“I would like something where my little ones would be able to stay for a weekend. I don’t want anything spectacular, even a one-bedroom and I would sleep in the front room. Two bedrooms would be perfect really to be able to see my babies.
“I have done everything they have asked me to do, it’s never-ending, it’s constant.
"I have tried 20, maybe 30 different estate agents and get told nothing is available, or if I go and view, I’m on a waiting list or they have to go speak to the landlord."
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The Adur and Worthing Council, responsible for housing said, “All applications for housing to the council are assessed against government criteria. Physical appearance is not one of these.
"We cannot comment on private sector housing offered outside of the councils' accommodation.
“Mr Holliday can contact the council at any time if he wishes to access the housing support we are able to offer and provide.”
