A landlord was left reeling after uncovering a six-foot python living in one of his tenant‘s spare rooms during a routine inspection.

The unusual exchange, which was shared on Tiktok by UK-based property strategist Jack Rookehas since gone viral – and left viewers divided over whether the tenant was in the wrong or simply misunderstood.

In the clip, the landlord confronts his tenant Darren after spotting a ‘very large tank’ in the property.

‘Can you explain what’s in it?’ the landlord asked.

‘Yeah, that’s Jesus. He’s a python,’ Darren replied matter-of-factly.

When the landlord reminded him that the tenancy agreement clearly stated no pets were allowed, Darren refused to back down.

‘He’s not a pet,’ he insisted.

‘He’s Jesus. He’s family.’

The landlord, clearly alarmed, warned that the reptile was ‘six feet long and highly dangerous’.

But Darren wasn’t having it.

‘Dangerous? He sleeps 20 hours a day and eats once a week. I know people with cats that cause more damage.’

Things only escalated when the landlord expressed concern about what would happen if the python escaped.

‘Then Jesus rises again, doesn’t he?’ Darren quipped, prompting the landlord to sternly warn him not to joke.

Neighbours had already complained about ‘strange noises’ coming from the flat, but Darren brushed it off as the snake shedding.

When the landlord threatened eviction if the snake wasn’t removed, Darren made his position clear.

‘You’d evict me because I have Jesus in my flat? Then (it) looks like me and Jesus are staying put.’

The bizarre back-and-forth has racked up thousands of comments, with many viewers admitting they couldn’t stop laughing at the tenant’s commitment to defending his reptile companion.

Others sided with the landlord, arguing a six-foot python in an apartment block was a disaster waiting to happen.

‘This is exactly why landlords check properties,’ one wrote.

But others called the landlord ‘overdramatic’.

While the viral exchange happened in the UK, the scenario struck a chord with Australians – where rules around pets in rentals are notoriously strict.

Most Aussie states now allow tenants to request pets, but landlords can refuse on ‘reasonable grounds’ – and it’s safe to say a six-foot python would likely fall into that category.

In New South Wales, for example, exotic animals like snakes require special permits, and tenants could face eviction if they keep them without approval.

Even with more common animals such as dogs or cats, disputes between renters and landlords are still common across the country.

For many, the python story summed up just how tense those conversations can get – especially when tenants see pets (or snakes named Jesus) as part of the family.

Share or comment on this article: Tenant raises eyebrows over ‘dangerous’ find during house inspection