DC Judge Ends Airbnb Nightmare After Nine Month Squatter Battle

The Ordeal That Shocked a Community

Rochanne Douglas thought she was helping someone in need when she accepted a 32-day Airbnb reservation back in February. Nearly a year later, she was locked out of her own home, paying thousands in attorney fees and mortgage payments for a property she couldn't even enter. Douglas's nightmare began when Romero booked her furnished home through Airbnb, claiming her own apartment had been damaged in a fire. What Douglas didn't know: At the time of booking, Romero was already being evicted from another property for owing nearly $50,000 in back rent.

That reservation ended on March 29. After being a guest for 30 days, Romero started to claim residency at the home and refused to let the homeowner, Rochanne Douglas, enter the property. Douglas gave her a 30-day notice to vacate, called D.C. police, went to court and offered Romero $2,500 to sign a paper admitting she's not a tenant. Romero signed the document but still didn't leave.

The homeowners shared with 7News that they have lost upwards of $30,000 because of the situation from damages, attorney fees, and loss of payment. Their mortgage has jumped to more than $9,000 a month because they couldn't keep up with the payments, while Romero stopped paying rent and stayed in the home.

A Pattern of Exploitation Exposed

Court records uncovered by 7News revealed a troubling history. Romero faced eviction from at least two other D.C. properties before landing at Douglas's home. At one apartment complex, she allegedly owed $35,000 in unpaid rent. At another, she paid one month's rent and stayed for 13 months. "She knows what she's doing," real estate attorney Rich Bianco told 7News after reviewing the records. "This isn't the first rodeo."

When confronted with the eviction records on camera, Romero denied ever being evicted. But in court Thursday, placed under oath and warned about perjury, she said she 'does not recall' whether she was evicted. A background check showed 12 judgments and liens against Romero, including landlord-tenant cases in Maryland and Virginia.

Justice Finally Served

A D.C. judge ruled Thursday that Shadija Romero does not have tenancy rights and sided with the homeowner, finding that the agreement she previously signed to leave the property remains valid. The judge also added that because Romero does not have tenant rights, the homeowner can have her removed and evicted from the property as early as Thursday.

Later that day, Romero was removed from the property. Douglas, with help from her community, cleared out Romero's belongings and regained control of her home. The swift action marked the end of a nearly 9-month ordeal. Airbnb confirmed with 7News that Shadija Romero has been removed from the platform.

Nationwide Reform Movement Gains Momentum

Across the country, property owners have found themselves trapped by laws designed to protect tenants - laws that bad actors have learned to exploit. Georgia followed with its Squatter Reform Act in April 2024, requiring accused squatters to produce proof of legal residency within three days or face arrest. New York changed its property law in April 2024 to clarify that squatters are not considered tenants on any timeframe. Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, and Texas have all passed or advanced similar legislation in 2024 and 2025.

The case has drawn widespread attention in D.C., highlighting gaps in the District's tenant-landlord laws. Because of 7News' reporting, elected leaders in the District are now reviewing the city's rental policies. Douglas's victory represents more than personal vindication—it signals a potential turning point where property rights receive equal protection alongside tenant protections. As similar cases emerge nationwide, the balance between protecting vulnerable renters and preventing exploitation of well-meaning property owners continues to evolve through both courts and legislatures.