03 February 2023 , 14:24
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A landlord has been slammed after filming himself telling a mum-of-two he's more than doubling her rent.
Raul Bolufe, a property investor from Miami, US, posted a video to TikTok where he informs a tenant he is raising the rent from $1,100 (£900) to $2,500 (£2,000).
The landlord, who just purchased the property, said the tenant's current rent of $1,100 is "a pretty low price" in "today's market" as he claimed similar properties in the area were listed for $2,500.
The woman has been living there for 10 years and during the conversation the landlord comes slightly down on price.
He says he will "take the lower end of $2,200." However, the tenant hits back at his offer.
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She replies: "Are you kidding me? That has to be a joke! I can't afford that s***. I have kids and I'm already working two jobs as it is. Where do you want me to go now?"
The video went viral on TikTok with many users believing Mr Bolufe's actions should be illegal as he tried to more than double her rent.
One user wrote: "Watching this made me sick to my stomach. This is absolutely what's wrong with landlords.
"I understand going up a few hundred dollars but more than doubling her rent is grotesque."
While another user added: 'Ridiculous, it's legalised theft and he does it with a smile. This is why no one can afford to live anywhere, it's sad."
The woman has been living there for 10 years (stock Image) (Shared Content Unit)There were some people who believed Mr Bolufe's actions were necessary as he owns the property and is within his rights to up the price.
One person said: "'Most of the people commenting as if they're the home owner. At the end of the day, the property is business.
"New owners don't have any contracts with the current tenants. He can raise the rent as much as he wants. If the don't like it they can go."
In the landlord's follow-up video titled "Raising my tenant's rent part two" he talks to the tenant who warns to burn down the flat "so nobody gets anything."
The landlord has been slammed as the mum already works two jobs (stock Image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Mr Bolufe refuses to back down and tells her: "If you don't wanna stay for that price, I'm going to have to put [out] a 30-day notice you could leave peacefully on time, but I definitely can't make it work at that current rent amount."
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The woman then threatens to get her brothers to confront the businessman.
She tells him: "I dare you to try to pull up and give us the eviction notice. This is ridiculous. I'm not paying over double my rent.
"You think I give a s*** about your investment. Pull up to the house I dare you, we'll be here waiting and it won't be a good time for you."
After she hangs up the phone she texts to say she will be at home and the landlord can meet her.
However, when he turns up she's not there as she phones back and says: "You really thought I'd meet you in person after you tried to double my rent? I'm not paying more than $1,100."
She then tells him "'I'm not leaving" after changing all the locks. He reportedly called the cops after their exchange.