A Florida landlord has posted a video on TikTok in which he announces live to his tenant that he is doubling his rent due to real estate market prices. The behavior of the owner does not pass, both with his tenant and with TikTok users.
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In three videos posted on the platform, which have so far accumulated 5.5 million views, the new owner of the building, Raul Bolufe, announces to his tenant that he will have to “double his rent from $1,100 to $2,500 $” because his accommodation is below the real estate market prices in this area of Miami.
An announcement that immediately provoked the ire of the tenant, who says she has lived in the accommodation for ten years. “Are you kidding me? It’s a joke! I can’t afford this kind of [paiement]. I have children and I already have 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 having published videos of this ad without the slightest scruple. “It should be illegal to double a tenant’s rent,” said a TikTok user.
She threatens to “burn down” the house
In a second video posted by the owner, the visibly angry tenant threatens to “burn down” the house in revenge or to call the police to denounce her actions. “If you are not comfortable with this new price, I can send you a notice 30 days before your eviction and then you can leave quietly. But, unfortunately, the low price of your rent is no longer suitable,” the landlord simply replies.
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“I will call my brothers. I challenge you to send me an eviction notice,” concludes the tenant in this second video.
In Florida, nothing prevents a landlord from increasing a tenant’s rent as he sees fit, according to the American housing ad site Propertyclub. A Florida law even prohibits cities from introducing rent controls, except in an emergency. There is therefore no rent setting mechanism as in Quebec, where a judge determines the amount of the rent if there is a disagreement between the two parties.
Also, a Florida landlord can decide not to renew a tenant’s lease without having to justify himself, which is illegal in Quebec because of the “right to maintain occupancy”, listed in the Civil Code of Quebec.
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In front of the house
The owner publishes a third video in which he is parked in front of the tenant’s residence. “Do you really think I’m going to meet you? I will not pay double my rent,” she informs him.
“Only my taxes and my insurance are $1,100 per month,” argues Mr. Bolufe in this final heated exchange.
The tenant concludes the call by indicating that she has changed the locks of the apartment and blocked the landlord’s telephone number.
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