Renting in the UK, and especially in major cities, is taking a toll on many right now.

So much so that a report from Anxiety Nation found that private renters are more likely to experience anxiety than homeowners, with the cost of private renting hitting record highs, rogue landlords, bidding wars and ridiculous requests all making it harder for renters to find suitable homes.

One person sharing their own story of just how unrealistic the demands are for tenants is Lou Newton. In a recent Twitter thread, the freelance journalist described her search for a room to rent in London and revealed some of the “outrageous/bizarre/probably illegal things” she’s encountered along the way – and it will shock you.

“A woman who owns a one-bed flat was renting out her only bedroom,” Newton said. “The ad explained how she would sleep on the sofa in the open-plan kitchen/living room. It was £1,200pcm.”

Cost of living crisis: private renters in London are facing ridculous demands – and this Twitter thread highlights just how bad it’s getting