A Washington, D.C., property owner is embroiled in an eight-month legal battle to remove squatters from her building, describing the situation as a descent into a "drug haven" with little recourse from city officials. Tatyana Day Velasquez, who owns a three-unit apartment building in Columbia Heights, told Fox News Digital that the basement unit has been occupied by individuals who do not pay rent and have created a hazardous environment for other tenants.
Velasquez alleges that the apartment has become a hub for illegal activity, with unfamiliar individuals entering and exiting at all hours, frequent disturbances, and a pervasive chemical odor. Photos and videos provided by Velasquez show the apartment in disarray, containing items such as needles, drug pipes, Narcan, fentanyl test strips, a machete, and firearms. "They don't pay rent... they're making money by drug dealing, obviously," Velasquez stated.
The legal dispute is currently before D.C. Superior Court, where Velasquez is seeking to regain possession of the property. Court documents indicate that Velasquez discovered the unauthorized occupants after the previous tenant moved out. Despite one occupant's claim that the tenant granted permission to stay, the lease prohibits unauthorized occupants and drug-related criminal activity.
The situation has led to fear among other residents, with at least three tenants vacating the building due to safety concerns. One tenant informed Velasquez that she "no longer feels safe enough to sleep here."
Velasquez argues that the occupants are trespassers, as they never received approval and are not paying rent. However, police reports have complicated the matter. A June 26 Metropolitan Police Department report noted that one occupant had "established residency" by living with a tenant on the lease, leading police to classify the situation as a landlord-tenant dispute and make no arrests.
Under D.C. law, property owners must typically go through the D.C. Superior Court for evictions, a process that can be lengthy. The D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate states that occupants must have an opportunity to challenge a property owner's claims in court before an eviction can proceed.
Velasquez has continued to face financial burdens, including property taxes and trash violation fees associated with debris left by the squatters, despite receiving no income from the unit. She reports confronting the alleged squatters daily and has faced physical altercations, with limited support from law enforcement.
Neighbors have also expressed frustration. One neighbor, identified only as Lloyd, told Fox News Digital that the situation reflects poorly on the city's priorities and that disturbances have affected the wider neighborhood.
A D.C. police spokesperson confirmed that the department's authority is limited once residency is established, and that removing an individual considered an established resident is a matter for the courts. Evictions are carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service. The spokesperson indicated that legislative changes would need to be addressed by the D.C. Council.
John Gibbs, Director of the Institute for Economic Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation, commented that the issue is primarily one of property rights enforcement rather than housing policy. He suggested solutions such as expedited removal procedures, stronger penalties for fraud, and clearer law enforcement authority. Gibbs attributed the rise in squatting partly to the lingering effects of COVID-era eviction moratoriums and a perceived shift in prioritizing occupancy rights over property owners' rights.
Recently, U.S. Marshals served an eviction notice at the property, and one squatter was arrested for violating a protective order. However, Velasquez states the individuals have returned, and her protective order was dismissed due to court clerical errors.
Velasquez expressed concern that small landlords cannot sustain operations in D.C., feeling that the city does not prioritize their needs. Fox News Digital reached out to the alleged squatter for comment but received no response. The mayor's office declined to comment on the situation.