A Cuban woman residing in Lehigh Acres, Florida, recently took to social media to reveal the appalling state of her home after renting it out to a tenant. The renter, she claims, brought over 19 cats into the property without her permission, leaving the house in disarray.
The homeowner, known on TikTok as Yuri Cesar (@yurii_1218), shared a video recounting her ordeal and expressing her frustration over the extensive damage. This came after she spent more than two months navigating legal procedures to reclaim her property.
Initially, the rental arrangement seemed promising. Yuri rented the house to a woman who appeared to be the ideal tenant, paying rent punctually and even in advance. “I was in a hurry to rent out the house, and she was the first person who showed interest. She paid a deposit and was very punctual with her payments for the first two months,” Yuri admitted, acknowledging her mistake of not checking the tenant's background before signing the lease.
However, the situation quickly deteriorated. According to Yuri, the tenant started imposing restrictions, installing surveillance cameras, and even forbidding her from approaching the main entrance and the electrical panel of the house.
Yuri recounted an incident where she had to involve the police just to access the electrical panel after a circuit breaker tripped, and the tenant refused to grant her entry. “I had to call the police because she wouldn’t open the door when a breaker went out,” she narrated.
The homeowner was particularly outraged upon discovering that the tenant had brought in over 19 cats without her consent. In a video shot in the kitchen, she showed the deplorable condition of the space, expressing disbelief that anyone could live in such a manner.
“How can anyone live like this? This is inhumane,” she lamented. Yuri also mentioned that she later found out the tenant had similar issues in another residence. “This person has an open case from where she used to live,” she claimed, though she couldn't provide documentation due to ongoing legal matters.
Emotionally affected by the incident, Yuri confessed that the hardest part was seeing the damage to a property she had acquired through years of hard work and sacrifice. “The effort it took to get my house... and for someone to come and destroy it, it hurts a lot,” she expressed.
She issued a warning to other property owners in the Hispanic community of Lehigh Acres to prevent similar incidents. “I want everyone in the Hispanic community here to check backgrounds and police records before renting out their homes,” she advised.
Unfortunately, Yuri's experience is not an isolated one among Cuban homeowners in Florida. In December 2025, Cuban Yandry García reported that a tenant left about 30 dogs on his property, causing extensive damage. Similarly, in February 2026, Cuban Mai Algarete found her mobile home with scratched floors and damaged walls after retrieving her property. And in August, another Cuban homeowner was shocked to find garbage and foul odors in a house she had rented out.
Yuri's key takeaway for anyone considering renting out their property is to thoroughly check potential tenants' backgrounds to avoid a similarly distressing experience.
Key Considerations for Renting Property in Florida
Why is it important to check a tenant's background before renting?
Checking a tenant's background helps ensure they have a history of responsible renting, reducing the risk of property damage and legal issues.
What should property owners in Florida be aware of when renting out their homes?
Property owners should be cautious and conduct thorough background checks, including criminal and rental histories, to avoid potential problems.
How can landlords protect themselves from irresponsible tenants?
Landlords can protect themselves by drafting detailed lease agreements, requiring deposits, and regularly inspecting the property to ensure compliance with the lease terms.