The Board of Supervisors unanimously supported a bill that bars landlords from using software that critics say facilitates collusion between landlords.
San Francisco moved ahead with a ban on rent-setting software that critics say “facilitates illegal collusion by allowing landlords to share normally private data on pricing and occupancy rates.”
As Keith Menconi explains in the San Francisco Examiner, the city became the first jurisdiction to ban the sale and use of such software by landlords. “The measure also allows both renters and tenants’ rights nonprofits to sue over violations,” Menconi adds.
One software developer, RealPage, is being sued in multiple jurisdictions. “The lawsuits alleged that RealPage’s software, sold under the brand name AI Revenue Management, makes rental-price recommendations based on a vast pool of proprietary industry data collected from landlords that use the technology, allowing them to indirectly coordinate their decisions and, in effect, act as a price-fixing cartel.”
San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, who authored the bill passed unanimously by the Board, says many of San Francisco’s largest landlords are RealPage clients. RealPage faces additional accusations that its software helps landlords maintain artificially high vacancy rates and impacts the broader rental market.
FULL STORY: SF bans automated software accused of price-fixing housing rents
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI
Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.
Boise to Consider Tenant Protections Package
A proposed set of new regulations would call for relocation assistance for displaced renters and ban source of income discrimination.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.
From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.
New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service