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.
“I didn’t think you needed permission for a fish lol,” one commented.
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“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.”
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.
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“The fish died a week later.”
Another wrote forlornly: “My apt doesn't even allow fish.”
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'.
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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.
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