A renter has shared their sheer disbelief after their landlord apparently charged them for keeping a goldfish, including a hefty one-off fee on top of a monthly rate.
Anyone who’s ever rented a property will know what it’s like to witness their money drain from their account purely for existing – whether it’s being slapped with meaningless ‘admin’ or ‘processing’ charges from the letting agent or losing half of your deposit for leaving a speck of dust on the floor.
But one TikToker’s landlord sparked outcry online after charging them... for a pet fish.
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Posting on the platform, US-based Nic (@nicr__) wrote: "They're now charging pet rent for fishes?"
The video shows a screengrab of her rental fees, which includes a one-off payment of $200, on top of a ‘monthly pet rent’ at $15.
Under the restrictions, it says: “No aggressive breeds,” something I’m guessing might not be too much of a problem for a fish owner.
The video has racked up more than 60,000 views and thousands of likes, along with 277 comments from baffled TikTokers.
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“I didn’t think you needed permission for a fish lol,” one commented.
“Aggressive breeds? Like what, piranhas?” another said, while a third quipped: “So no sharks.”
A fourth added: “These apartments are out of control with their damn fees.”
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Many others shared their own rental woes, with one saying they’d had a similar issue.
“I got charged a 150 dollar fee cuz I had a fish when I moved in and didn’t disclose it cuz I didn’t think it mattered,” they said.
“The fish died a week later.”
Another wrote forlornly: “My apt doesn't even allow fish.”
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Others tried to play devil’s advocate to offer up a bit more of an explanation on the unusual charge, with one saying: “I think it’s cuz if your tank busts it could cause water damage. No clue about the breed issue tho lol.”
Another said: “Someone broke their giant aquarium and caused a lot of damage and ruined it for everyone else lol.”
Across the pond, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 led landlords to charge what has been dubbed 'pet rent'.
Before the act was introduced, landlords often asked tenants for pet deposits of around £150, according to the Guardian, which was repayable at the end of the tenancy.
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Now, however, they cannot request a higher deposit for those renting with a pet, as deposits are capped in England, meaning landlords can now simply charge people extra rent for having a pet.
Jess Hardiman