Dec 14, 2025
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.
"This is taking me somewhere where I'm not trying to be," Douglas told 7News in Washington, D.C. "Everybody has a breaking point (1)."
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On Thursday, a D.C. judge finally sided with Douglas, ruling that Shadija Romero, the woman occupying her home, has no tenancy rights and can be removed immediately. The judge found that an agreement Romero previously signed acknowledging she wasn't a tenant remains valid.
It's a rare win for property owners in a city where tenant protections have long tilted the scales against landlords. But the case has also exposed what critics call a glaring loophole: In D.C. and several other jurisdictions, staying in someone's home for just 30 days can be enough to claim tenant rights, even without a lease.
A pattern of non-payment
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 (2).
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.
After her 32-day Airbnb stay ended in March, Romero refused to leave. She allegedly changed the locks, put utilities in her daughter's name, removed Douglas's personal belongings, and tampered with security cameras. Douglas offered her $2,500 to sign a document admitting she wasn't a tenant and leave. Romero signed, but didn't budge (3).
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The cost of fighting back
For Douglas, the financial toll has been staggering.
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"If the judge doesn't give me some relief, I'm going to lose my property," she told 7News before Thursday's ruling. "I can't pay $4,000 a month, my other bills, and my responsibilities like this."
Her story is far from unique. Across the country, property owners have found themselves trapped by laws designed to protect tenants - laws that bad actors have learned to exploit.
Legal fees for eviction proceedings typically run $1,500 to $5,000, according to housing experts. Property damage and cleanup can exceed $10,000. And lost rental income during months-long court battles can devastate a homeowner's finances (4).
States are fighting back
The D.C. case comes amid a wave of legislative reforms targeting squatter protections nationwide.
In March 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 621, which allows property owners to fill out a form and have sheriffs remove squatters immediately, with no court process required. The law also makes it a felony to forge lease documents or cause more than $1,000 in property damage while squatting.
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"We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida," DeSantis said at the signing. "While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners (5)."
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 (6). 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 (7).
The trend reflects growing frustration among property owners who feel current laws favor those gaming the system over those who actually own homes.
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What D.C. homeowners should know
Douglas's case has prompted D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to review the city's rental policies.
"I've seen some of the reports," Mendelson told 7News. "I think it's pretty shocking what they've revealed [8]."
For property owners considering short-term rentals, experts recommend several precautions. Screen guests carefully, even on platforms like Airbnb that offer some verification. Limit booking lengths to under 30 days when possible, since that's often the threshold for claiming tenant rights. Document everything, including communications, property condition and booking terms. Know your local laws, as tenant protections vary dramatically by jurisdiction. Act immediately if a guest overstays as delays can strengthen a squatter's legal position.
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Airbnb told 7News it has been tracking the Douglas case and noted that its platform has protections in place for hosts.
A turning point?
For Douglas, Thursday's ruling marked the end of a 10-month ordeal. But for the broader debate over property rights versus tenant protections, it may be just the beginning.
The case highlights a fundamental tension in housing law: How do you protect vulnerable renters from predatory landlords without creating loopholes that bad actors can exploit?
States like Florida have clearly chosen to prioritize property owners. Cities like D.C. have historically leaned toward tenant protections. Douglas's case - and the public outrage it generated - suggests that balance may be shifting. "I never gave her any tenancy," Douglas said. "I never gave her a lease."
Now, finally, a judge has agreed.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
7News (1); 7News (2); 7News (3); SquattersRights.org (4); Governor of Florida (5); Multifamilydive.com (6); Multifamilydive.com (7); 7News (8)
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James is the editor in chief of Moneywise and Money.ca. His work has appeared in the Nikkei, Postmedia publications, Canadian Business and MSN. He holds an Honours degree from the University of Waterloo. James is an avid history buff and enjoys cycling as well as going on exciting adventures.
