DC squatter takes over woman's property after refusing to check out of Airbnb—police let them stay

A homeowner in Washington, DC is now fighting to have her home back after a squatter took over the property she had rented as an Airbnb for 32 days, but has yet to leave after months. The alleged squatter, Shadija Romero, has been living in the home since February and police have said there is nothing they can do. The squatter allegedly tried to push the homeowner off a ladder. 

The homeowner, Rochanne Douglas, did not know her life would be turned upside down after accepting Romero's request for an Airbnb reservation ten months ago. The reservation ended on March 29, but Romero has yet to leave, claiming tenants' rights. After being in the home for 30 days, Romero claimed residency and refused to allow Douglas to enter the property, according to ABC 7 News.

“I never gave her any tenancy,” said Douglas. “I never gave her a lease.” Douglas has tried multiple strategies to get Romero to leave the home. She has delivered a 30-day vacate notice, called the police, and tried to have Romero sign a paper admitting that she's not a tenant by offering her $2,500. Romero signed the paper, however, the squatter has not left and has claimed that she has permission to stay in the home. 

“November 15th came, and she told me this no longer works for me,” said Douglas. “Do what you have to do. I'm not leaving. I went to the police with my order, and they say there's nothing that they can do, so I need to go to court, which I’ve done, and I do not have a court date until December 11th.”

Douglas has put a sign on the home so police, as well as neighbors, are aware that Romero is squatting in the home, and is not authorized to live there. Romero, as well as the others squatting there, have hung a sheet out the window in order to cover the sign. “It's just shocking to me that you would abuse a system like that," Douglas said. Romero also reportedly tried to push Douglas off a ladder. 

During this time, Romero has been posting to social media promoting her non-profit and appearing to be living her best life. All the while, Douglass has been paying attorney's fees, mortgage, utilities, and other costs. Douglas' court date is upcoming, and she is hoping that law enforcement will force Romero and the others who have been squatting there out of the home.