“That has to be a joke.” Tenant blindsided after landlord doubles her rent on TikTok.

A Miami landlord’s decision to more than double a tenant’s rent has ignited backlash online, with many calling it exploitative and immoral. The landlord, Raul Bolufe, who shares real estate content on TikTok under the handle @therealraulbolufe, posted a series of videos documenting his phone conversation with a long-term tenant as he informed her that her rent would be increasing from $1,100 to a staggering $2,500 per month.

The tenant, who has lived in the home for over a decade, was blindsided by the news. In one of the calls, she reacted with disbelief:

"Are you kidding me? That has to be a joke. $2,500?"

— Tenant

Landlord’s justification doesn’t add up

Bolufe explained in his videos that he had recently purchased the property from the tenant’s previous landlord and claimed the rent increase was necessary to bring it up to a "competitive" market rate. He also argued that his taxes and insurance cost him more than $1,100 per month, suggesting that he wasn’t making enough money under the existing rental price.

Bolufe justifies the rent increase, claiming it aligns with the market rate. TikTok/Raul Bolufe

However, BuzzFeed noted that his approach was not legally sound. Miami-Dade County requires landlords to give at least 60 days' written notice for any rent hike exceeding 5%. Instead, Bolufe told the tenant over the phone that she had just 30 days to agree to the new rent or move out.

After some back-and-forth, the two eventually settled on $1,900 per month—an $800 increase that still far exceeded typical rent hikes.

Social media calls out the landlord

Bolufe's attempt to frame the videos as a business lesson for aspiring landlords backfired, with many TikTok users slamming his actions as unethical. One commenter, @biancadeltaco69, called him out directly:

"Being nice and calm doesn’t make you right. Doubling it?? I’m with her."

— @biancadeltaco69

Another landlord, @colmex2, agreed that the rent increase was excessive, writing:

"That’s immoral and this is coming from a landlord."

— @colmex2

Others pointed out that such a steep rent hike—especially with such little notice—puts tenants in impossible situations, particularly those already struggling to make ends meet.

Was it all staged?

Some viewers speculated that Bolufe might have exaggerated or even staged the situation for engagement. His unapologetic response to the backlash only fueled these suspicions. In a follow-up video, he claimed that the previous owner had sold the property because they didn’t want to deal with the tenant, and he implied that even raising the rent to $2,200 wouldn’t be enough to maximize his profits in Miami’s housing market.

Whether staged or not, the videos struck a nerve with many renters and homeowners alike. In a time when housing affordability is a growing crisis, the idea of a landlord more than doubling rent overnight—without proper notice—only added fuel to the ongoing debate about tenant rights and ethical property management.

The bigger picture

The viral TikTok controversy highlights a larger issue: the increasing unaffordability of housing across the U.S. With rents soaring, many tenants are facing tough choices—paying unsustainable prices, working multiple jobs, or being forced to move. Miami, in particular, has seen a surge in housing costs, leaving many long-term residents struggling to keep up.

As this conversation continues online, it serves as a reminder of the importance of tenant protections and fair housing laws. If you’re facing an unexpected rent increase, make sure to check your local laws, reach out to tenant advocacy groups, and explore legal options before accepting unreasonable terms.