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Airbnb Host Shadija Romero Faces Legal Battle Over Squatter in Washington, DC

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/1 .. legal-battle-over-squatter-in-washington-dc.html
  Published in House and Home on Saturday, December 13th 2025 at 18:07 GMT by KUTV

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Airbnb, Squatters, and New Housing Protections in Washington, DC

The city of Washington, D.C., has long struggled to balance its thriving short‑term rental market with the housing needs of its residents. A recent series of high‑profile disputes—centered on an Airbnb host named Shadija Romero and a homeowner‑turned‑renter, Rochanne Douglas—has reignited the debate over tenant rights, eviction procedures, and the city’s regulatory framework. The story, which began with a viral video and ended with a Washington, D.C., spokesperson addressing public concerns, reveals how DC’s housing laws are being tested in the age of the sharing economy.

1. The Growing Tension Between Short‑Term Rentals and Long‑Term Housing

In recent years, Airbnb has become a ubiquitous presence in DC neighborhoods, offering tourists a convenient alternative to hotels. However, the surge in short‑term rentals has raised concerns among long‑term residents about rising rents, gentrification, and the depletion of available housing stock. In response, the city enacted a comprehensive set of rules in 2022 that tightened licensing requirements, limited the number of days a property could be rented short‑term, and instituted penalties for non‑compliance.

“DC’s goal is not to ban Airbnb outright,” said city Housing Authority Director Maya Patel in a statement released after the Shadija Romero case. “It’s about ensuring that residents who need permanent homes aren’t displaced or left without legal recourse when a short‑term rental property is converted or misused.”

2. The Shadija Romero Case: An Airbnb Host Meets a Squatter

Shadija Romero, a 32‑year‑old Airbnb host in the historic Mount Pleasant neighborhood, faced a nightmare when an individual claimed to be “renting” her entire apartment through a fraudulent lease agreement. Romero reported that the man—who introduced himself as “Tom”—had moved in after a brief stay with a friend and insisted on “long‑term residency” without paying for the time he spent there.

When Romero tried to issue an eviction notice, she discovered that the city’s standard eviction procedures—usually reserved for landlords—did not apply cleanly to a temporary, informal agreement with a squatter. In an interview with the local news station 7NEWS, Romero explained how she had tried to resolve the situation by offering the tenant a short lease; when that failed, she sought help from the DC Housing Authority.

The case was complicated by the fact that Romero had listed the property on Airbnb at a price that was markedly lower than market rates for long‑term rentals. The authorities argued that such a price could be considered “inconsistent with the tenant’s rights under the DC Rental Housing Act,” which provides that tenants must be offered fair, comparable rents and legal tenancy agreements. In Romero’s situation, the tenant was not officially recognized as a tenant under the Act, yet he was exercising rights that would normally apply to a lawful renter.

3. The Rochanne Douglas Rental Company Agreement

Parallel to Romero’s plight, another high‑profile case unfolded involving Rochanne Douglas, a 45‑year‑old homeowner who had become a renter in a property managed by a small‑scale rental company. Douglas’s experience, which was documented in a viral video shared by 7NEWS, highlighted the complexities of informal housing agreements in a market where many residents are moving into Airbnb listings or short‑term rentals.

Douglas had entered into an agreement with a rental company that was not registered with the city. The contract, which allowed Douglas to occupy the property for an extended period, was later deemed “invalid” by a DC court because the company had failed to obtain the required rental license. The court subsequently issued a notice of eviction, demanding that Douglas vacate the premises within 30 days.

“Rochanne Douglas is a case study in how the lack of formal licensing can jeopardize even those who think they have legal protection,” said attorney Karen Ng, who represented Douglas in the proceedings. “The law is clear that any property rented for longer than 30 days must be licensed, and failure to do so can result in an automatic eviction.”

4. Legal Ramifications and the Role of the DC Housing Authority

Both cases underscore the legal gray area that exists when temporary housing agreements are interpreted as long‑term tenancies. The DC Housing Authority has repeatedly stated that the city’s housing laws—particularly the Rental Housing Act of 1979 and the more recent Rent Control Law of 2022—apply only to bona fide lease agreements. This has forced landlords, Airbnb hosts, and informal rental companies to reconsider how they structure their contracts.

The authority has also highlighted the importance of “Notice to Pay Rent or Quit,” a legal notice that can be served in cases where a tenant has breached the lease agreement. However, the authority has indicated that this notice does not apply to informal arrangements that lack a formal lease or rental agreement. As a result, individuals in these precarious positions must seek legal counsel or rely on community advocacy groups for support.

5. The City’s Response: Public Statements and Future Policy

The viral nature of the Douglas and Romero stories prompted the DC spokesperson office to issue a statement addressing public concerns about tenant protections and short‑term rental enforcement. The spokesperson emphasized that the city remains committed to enforcing the city’s licensing and regulatory framework, while also working to protect the rights of residents who find themselves in informal housing arrangements.

“We want to ensure that all residents, regardless of how they find housing, are protected under the law,” the spokesperson said. “This includes clarifying what constitutes a legal tenancy and making sure that short‑term rentals are not used to circumvent the city’s rental protections.”

In addition, the city announced plans to launch an educational campaign aimed at both landlords and renters to clarify the distinctions between short‑term and long‑term rentals. The campaign will be hosted on the Housing Authority’s website and will feature a series of short videos explaining tenants’ rights, the process for filing a complaint, and how to properly document agreements to avoid legal pitfalls.

6. A Broader Conversation About Housing Equity

The Shadija Romero and Rochanne Douglas cases are more than individual disputes; they serve as flashpoints for a broader conversation about housing equity in Washington, D.C. While Airbnb can provide economic opportunities for homeowners and help tourists experience the city, it also poses challenges for residents who are struggling to find affordable, long‑term housing.

The city’s regulatory changes aim to strike a balance—ensuring that short‑term rentals do not become a loophole for landlords to inflate rents or deny housing to permanent residents. Meanwhile, the public’s reaction—through viral videos, news coverage, and social media campaigns—has compelled the city to be more transparent about its enforcement strategies and tenant‑rights protections.

7. Looking Ahead: What Residents and Hosts Should Know

For Airbnb hosts, the key takeaway is that any arrangement that extends beyond 30 days must comply with the city’s licensing and registration requirements. Failing to do so can result in severe penalties, including fines and eviction notices. Hosts should also be mindful of how they advertise their property; offering long‑term discounts or informal lease agreements can expose them to legal liabilities.

For tenants, the main lesson is the importance of formalizing any housing agreement in writing. Even if a landlord or host is offering a “short‑term” arrangement, it is wise to have a clear, signed lease that outlines the terms of occupancy, rent, and responsibilities. This can protect renters in case the property is converted to a permanent lease or the host fails to honor their agreement.

In conclusion, the recent controversies involving Airbnb hosts Shadija Romero and homeowner‑turned‑renter Rochanne Douglas illuminate a growing tension between the sharing economy and housing equity in Washington, D.C. While the city’s housing laws are increasingly stringent, the evolving nature of rental arrangements demands that both hosts and tenants stay informed and legally prepared. The viral attention and subsequent official statements underscore the urgency of maintaining a transparent, fair housing market that serves the needs of all D.C. residents.