Rochanne Douglas thought she was helping someone in need when she accepted a 32-day Airbnb reservation in February. Nearly a year later, she’s locked out of her home, paying thousands of dollars in legal fees and mortgage payments on a property she can’t even enter.
“It took me to a place I didn’t want to be,” Douglas told 7News in Washington, D.C. “Everyone has a turning point (1).”
On Thursday, a Washington, D.C., judge finally sided with Douglass, ruling that the woman occupying his home, Shadija Romero, had no lease rights and could move out immediately. The judge found that a previously signed agreement by Romero acknowledging that she was not a tenant remained in effect.
It’s a rare victory for landlords in a city where tenant protections have long disadvantaged landlords. But the case also exposed what critics say is a glaring loophole: In Washington and several other jurisdictions, just being in someone’s home for 30 days is enough to assert tenant rights, even without a lease.
Douglas’ nightmare began when Romero booked her furnished home through Airbnb and claimed her own apartment was damaged in the fire. What Douglas didn’t know: At the time of the booking, Romero had already been evicted from another property for nearly $50,000 in back rent (2).
Court records uncovered by 7News reveal a disturbing history. Romero faced eviction from at least two properties in Washington, D.C., before arriving at the Douglas home. She allegedly fell behind on $35,000 in rent at an apartment complex. Another time, she paid one month’s rent and lived there for 13 months.
“She knew what she was doing,” real estate attorney Rich Bianco told 7News after reviewing the records. “This isn’t the first rodeo.”
When confronted about the deportation on camera, Romero denied ever being deported. But in court Thursday, under oath and warned against perjury, she said she had “no recollection” of whether she was deported.
When Romero’s 32-day stay at the Airbnb ended in March, she refused to leave. She allegedly changed the locks, put utilities in her daughter’s name, took Douglas’s personal belongings and tampered with security cameras. Douglass offered her $2,500 to sign a document admitting she was not a tenant and leave. Romero signed but did not budge (3).
For Douglas, the financial toll was staggering.
“If the judge doesn’t give me some relief, I’m going to lose my property,” she told Seven News ahead of Thursday’s ruling. “I can’t pay $4,000 a month, my other bills and my responsibilities.”
Her story is far from unique. Across the country, landlords are finding themselves caught in the trap of laws designed to protect tenants that bad actors have learned to take advantage of.
According to housing experts, the legal fees for eviction proceedings typically range from $1,500 to $5,000. Property damage and cleanup costs can exceed $10,000. Lost rental income during months-long court proceedings can devastate a homeowner’s finances(4).
The Washington, D.C., case comes amid a nationwide wave of legislative reforms targeting squatter protections.
In March 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 621, which allows property owners to fill out a form and have a sheriff remove squatters immediately without court proceedings. The law also makes it a felony to falsify lease documents or cause more than $1,000 in property damage while squatting.
“We are ending squatter scams in Florida,” DeSantis said at the signing ceremony. “While other states side with squatters, we are protecting property owners(5).”
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Georgia subsequently enacted the Squatter Reform Act in April 2024, requiring accused squatters to produce proof of legal residence within three days or face arrest (6). New York changed its property laws in April 2024 to clarify that squatters are not considered tenants for any period of time. Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, and Texas have all passed or advanced similar legislation in 2024 and 2025 (7).
The trend reflects growing dissatisfaction among homeowners who believe current laws favor those who game the system rather than those who actually own their homes.
Douglas’ case prompted D.C. Council President Phil Mendelson to review the city’s rental policies.
“I’ve seen some reports,” Mendelson told Seven News. “I think what they revealed is very shocking. [8]”.
For property owners considering short-term rentals, experts recommend taking some precautions. Screen guests carefully, even on platforms like Airbnb that offer some verification. Whenever possible, limit bookings to 30 days as this is often the threshold for asserting tenant rights. Document everything including communications, property status and booking terms. Know your local laws, as tenant protections vary by jurisdiction. If a guest overstays his or her stay, take immediate action as delay strengthens the squatter’s legal position.
Airbnb told 7News it has been following Douglas’ case and noted that its platform has protections in place for hosts.
For Douglas, Thursday’s ruling marks the end of a 10-month ordeal. But it could be just the start of a broader debate about property rights and tenant protections.
The case highlights a fundamental contradiction in housing law: How to protect vulnerable tenants from predatory landlords without creating loopholes that bad actors can exploit?
States like Florida are clearly choosing to prioritize homeowners. Cities like Washington, D.C., have historically favored tenant protections. Douglas’ case and the public outrage it sparked suggest the balance may be shifting. “I never gave her any lease,” Douglas said. “I never gave her a lease.”
Now, the judge finally agrees.
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7 News (1); 7 News (2); 7 News (3); SquattersRights.org (4); Florida Governor (5); Multifamilydive.com (6); Multifamilydive.com (7); 7 News (8)
This article provides information only and should not be considered advice. It is provided without any warranty of any kind.
