A TikTok star who has racked up millions of views has revealed that has been living in his car.
Isaac Richman, from North London, has become a hit on TikTok and has more than 100,000 followers on the platform.
He is known for pranking people travelling on the London Underground by making directed announcements at people so they think they are in trouble.
The TikToker also has a job in construction and earns around £56,000 a year.
But Isaac claims he has been living in his car because landlords and estate agents fear he won’t be able to keep up with his rent payments because he is self-employed.
Landlords will usually ask for proof of earnings if a prospective tenant is self-employed and will often ask for one to three years’ worth of accounts, as well as HMRC self-assessment forms.
It’s unclear if Isaac was asked for these details or if he was able to provide them.
He spoke candidly on his TikTok and said: ‘I’m dreaming right? I must be dreaming. I’ve got 70,000 followers on TikTok, I’ve got 10,000 followers on YouTube, I’ve got 10,000 on Instagram.
‘Had 200 million views in three months but I live in a car. In this car. I’m dreaming right?
‘Can someone wake me up because I live in his car and I have all these followers and all these views. How does that work out?’
Speaking with MyLondon, Isaac explained that he put down a £2,000 holding deposit and the estate agent said they would sign the contract.
But the property was given away to someone else.
He added: ‘I’ve been going to estate agents and they look at me, and they think, young black man, probably ain’t got the money to pay for this.
‘They don’t know that I make more money than half of these estate agents.
‘When you go to view a property, there’s about ten other people in a queue before you.’
Isaac has since got himself a studio flat with the assistance of Enfield council.
Since he has been of no fixed address for a while, he has only just been able to register with GP practice.
But the online sensation slammed London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, for the housing crisis and told The Sun: ‘There are a lot of things wrong with London. I understand the problems Londoners face and Sadiq Khan doesn’t, I think.’
The outlet also reports that Isaac plans to run for mayor so he can improve the lives of Londoners.
Over the past couple of months, Isaac has been saving for a deposit and getting his accounts in order so he can apply for a mortgage.
Fans commented on his heartfelt TikTok video, and sent their thoughts but also discussed how bad the housing crisis is.
One wrote: ‘Nobody realises how bad this housing crisis is and there is no sign of it getting better!! I feel your struggles and wish you the best…’
Another said: ‘To make people even smile on the tube is a talent mate… hope u ok.’
A third penned: ‘I hope you’re okay. It’s like when you have everything everyone is there but when you have nothing no one’s there.’
A fourth commented: ‘That is genuinely awful. What is wrong with our society?’
