A Florida landlord posted a video on TikTok of himself telling his tenant live that he is doubling his rent due to housing market prices. The behavior of the owner does not go through, both with his tenant and with TikTok users.
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In three videos posted on the platform, which have garnered 5.5 million views so far, the building’s new owner, Raul Bolufe, announces to his tenant that he needs to “double his rent from $1,100 to $2,500” because his lodging is up below real estate market prices in this area of Miami.
An announcement that immediately provoked the anger of the tenant, who claims to have lived in the apartment for ten years. “Are you kidding me? It’s a joke! I can’t afford this [paiement]. I have kids and already two jobs,” she replied to her owner.
In the comments, several people do not hesitate to denounce the behavior of the owner, calling him “heartless” for publishing videos of this announcement without the slightest scruples. “It should be illegal to double a tenant’s rent,” said one TikTok user.
She threatens to “burn down” the house.
In a second video posted by the owner, the visibly angry tenant threatened to “burn down” the house in revenge or call the police to denounce her actions. “If you’re not happy with this new price, I can send you 30 days notice before your eviction, and then you can leave with peace of mind. But unfortunately the low rent is no longer appropriate,” the landlord replies simply.
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“I’ll call my brothers. I urge you to send me an eviction notice,” the tenant concludes in this second video.
In Florida, nothing prevents a landlord from raising a tenant’s rent as he sees fit, according to American housing listing site Propertyclub. A Florida law even prohibits cities from imposing rent controls, except in an emergency. There is therefore no rent-setting mechanism like in Quebec, where a judge sets the amount of the rent if there is a disagreement between the two parties.
Also, a Florida landlord can choose not to renew a tenant’s lease without having to justify it, which is illegal in Quebec under the Quebec Civil Code’s “right to maintain occupancy.”
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Front of the house
The owner posts a third video of him parking in front of the tenant’s apartment. “Do you really think I’ll meet you? I won’t double my rent,” she informs him.
“Just my taxes and insurance are $1,100 a month,” argues Mr. Bolufe in this final heated exchange.
The tenant ends the call by saying that she has changed the locks on the apartment and blocked the landlord’s phone number.