Gareth Holliday, 44, has a licence for his four-foot African dwarf caiman crocodile called Missy and an 11-foot snake, and thinks he is being discriminated against as he’s struggling to find a place to rent before Christmas

A dad-of-11 who owns a crocodile and a snake says landlords won’t rent to him because of his tattoos.

Gareth Holliday, 44, has been looking for a place to live through a council’s approved estate agents for months.

He hopes to find a place before Christmas so he can see “his babies” after his eight-year marriage ended this year.

Gareth says that, after putting enquiries to estate agents, he often finds the day before his viewing the landlord has gone with another tenant.

He has been couch surfing for months and says he is starting to think his pets and his appearance are preventing him from finding a place to live.

He has a licence for his four-foot African dwarf caiman crocodile called Missy and an 11-foot snake.

Adur and Worthing Councils said that “physical appearance” was not in their criteria for applications for housing.

They said they have been in contact with Gareth and had previously put him up in a hotel.

Gareth, who is a recovering drug addict, left the hotel on the advice of his doctor and he says he was only provided with a microwave to make his meals.

The former crime scene cleaner, who is currently unemployed, told The Argus: “I love my tattoos, I wouldn’t have had it done if I didn’t. But I do feel I’m being discriminated because of them.”

Gareth said his homelessness application was rejected by the council because he was not under threat of “domestic violence or abuse”.

He is legally allowed to stay at his marital home, where his pets are, but says it is not an option for him.

He said: “I would like something where my little ones would be able to stay for a weekend.”

He added: “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.

“Then when I have been booked in for a viewing, the day before they will tell me someone has already taken it.”

A spokeswoman for Adur and Worthing Councils 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.”

The Mirror Online has contacted the council for a statement.