A Cuban resident of Miami (@anaydayan) couldn't help but react to an advertisement for an efficiency apartment he saw on TikTok. In a video, he shows the rental property in the City of the Sun and shares his thoughts on the local rental market.
"Look at how rents are in Miami," the Cuban begins in the video before displaying the exterior and interior of the efficiency. As he enters the tiny space, you can see a small kitchen right next to the bathroom. The man doesn't hide his shock at the cramped quarters being offered for a monthly rent of $950.
"You sleep in the kitchen, the bathroom doesn’t have a door. There’s no closet. $950. It’s insane!" he exclaims. As he continues recording, he points out the lack of adequate living space and questions, "What has happened to this city?"
The Cuban calls for sanity and condemns what he considers to be price gouging in the rental market: "Stop the abuse, look at this," he states, showcasing the tiny space which he describes as "a little storage house," implying that it’s where you keep junk but certainly not worth the high price.
Debate Over Miami's Rental Crisis
The video has sparked numerous comments and reactions on social media, igniting a debate about the rental crisis in Miami. Comments range from disbelief to explanations about the high demand in the area.
"It’s out of control," one comment reads. "Folks, don’t stay in Miami. It’s people themselves who stay and rent all this," another user remarks. "Bro, it's not abuse, it's called the market. We all came to the same place, not just us, people from all over are coming here, demand goes up, supply increases," another comment explains.
Other users compare rental prices in different locations: "With $950 here in Kentucky, you can find a two-bedroom apartment." Another comment adds, "At least it’s independent; a room inside a house without an independent entrance and no right to cook costs you $950." A frustrated renter shares, "Mine costs $1,110 and it's very similar. Hialeah. I’m dying to move somewhere else."