A FATHER-OF-11 who owns a crocodile and a snake says he’s unable to discover a residence to hire due to his tattoos.
Gareth Holliday, 44, has been in search of homes and flats by a council’s accredited property brokers for months. Now he’s pleading with the brokers “to not decide a ebook by its cowl”.
He stated he has been attempting his hardest to get a spot earlier than Christmas however is shedding hope.
His eight-year marriage ended earlier this 12 months and he desires a house so he’s “capable of see his infants”.
He stated he has put in lots of enquiries to property brokers, however typically finds {that a} day earlier than his viewing he will get advised the owner has gone with one other tenant.
Mr Holliday, who has been sofa browsing for months, stated he’s beginning to suppose his look and his pets are stopping him from discovering a spot to hire, regardless of being a “chilled out, easy-going man”.
He owns a 4ft African dwarf caiman crocodile known as Missy, who he has a licence for, in addition to an 11ft snake, however he stated each are “self-contained” and shouldn’t be a deterrent to landlords.
Adur and Worthing Councils stated “bodily look” was not of their standards for purposes for housing. They’ve been involved with Mr Holliday and beforehand put him up within the Wardley Lodge in Hove.
Gareth and his new companion’s youngster, Sennen
Mr Holliday, a recovering drug addict who has been clear for 3 years, stated he left the lodge on the recommendation of his physician because it was not appropriate for him on account of “different individuals there inflicting him misery by their habits”. He additionally stated he was solely supplied with a microwave for cooking, which was not ideally suited for his kind one diabetes.
The previous crime scene cleaner, who’s at present unemployed, stated: “I like my tattoos, I wouldn’t have had it finished if I didn’t. However I do really feel I’m being discriminated due to them.
“They don’t know me. I’ve been by a variety of cr*p however since being with my new companion, Claire, for the final two months, it has modified my way of life, it’s simply the housing that’s driving me mad.
“I need someplace I can name residence, not have to fret about the place I’m going to sleep subsequent. I’ve a pleasant assortment of associates the place I’m fortunate sufficient to have the ability to ask ‘can I sleep at yours tonight?’ however all I need is to be at mine.
“I’ve finished the loopy wild stuff, all I wish to do is chill and revel in life now.”
Mr Holliday says he has tried 20 to 30 totally different property brokers
Mr Holliday put in a homelessness software because of the breakdown of his marriage however the council rejected it as he was not beneath the specter of “home violence or abuse”. Whereas Mr Holliday might keep on the marital residence in Worthing legally, he says it’s not an possibility for him. His pets are nonetheless at that home.
He stated: “I would love one thing the place my little ones would be capable to keep for a weekend. I don’t need something spectacular, even a one bed room and I might sleep within the entrance room. Two bedrooms could be good actually to have the ability to see my infants.
“I’ve finished every part they’ve requested me to do, it’s by no means ending, it’s fixed. I’ve tried 20, possibly 30 totally different property brokers and get advised nothing is obtainable, or if I am going and examine, I’m on a ready listing or they should go converse to the owner.
“Then when I’ve been booked in for a viewing, the day earlier than they’ll inform me somebody has already taken it. Somebody’s put a holding deposit down, so how can I be booked in to view it?”
A spokeswoman for Adur and Worthing Councils stated: “All purposes for housing to the council are assessed towards authorities standards. Bodily look isn’t one in every of these.
“We can’t touch upon non-public sector housing supplied outdoors of the councils’ lodging.
“Mr Holliday can contact the council at any time if he needs to entry the housing help we’re capable of provide and supply.”
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