*A homeowner is fighting to regain control of her house after an alleged squatter, Shadija Romero, refused to leave following an extended Airbnb stay.
Rochanne Douglas told 7News that what started as a short-term rental in February has turned into nearly ten months of legal and personal turmoil. Romero originally booked the property through Airbnb after claiming her own home had been damaged in a fire. Her 32-day reservation ended on March 29, but after 30 days, she began asserting residency and claiming tenants’ rights.
“I never gave her any tenancy,” Douglas said, per WJLA. “I never gave her a lease.” Despite sending a 30-day notice to vacate, involving the police, going to court, and offering $2,500 for Romero to leave, Douglas says the woman remained in the home.
“Do what you have to do. I’m not leaving,” Douglas recalled Romero saying. Police reportedly informed her there was little they could do, leading to a court date scheduled for December 11. Meanwhile, Douglas has been covering attorney fees, mortgage, and utilities, while Romero’s social media shows her traveling and promoting her nonprofit.
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The situation worsened when Romero left the property, and Douglas temporarily secured the home by boarding up the windows and disabling the locks. Neighbors later reported that Romero had broken back into the house. “The police allowed her to hire a locksmith and break in,” Douglas said, noting that Romero presented no documents or court orders.
During a virtual emergency hearing, it was revealed that Romero allegedly tried to push Douglas off a ladder and transferred utilities into her daughter’s name. The judge instructed Douglas to restore electricity, with a final decision on housing arrangements expected next week.
Douglas said, “The sad part is I feel sorry for her… But your problem, I can’t help you. I do truly feel sorry for her and her child and all of this… but you can’t do it at my expense.”
Romero informed 7News that she intends to vacate the home, explaining that the ongoing situation has been extremely stressful and emotionally draining.
“If the judge doesn’t give me some relief, I’m going to lose my property because I can’t pay $4,000 a month, my other bills, and my responsibilities like this, and there’s no recourse for me,” Douglas said.
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