In the last six months, lawmakers in more than two dozen cities and states have made strides to stop landlords from using anti-competitive rental software to determine how much to charge for rent. Shelterforce looks at the wins and losses so far.
In the past six months, legislators in more than 30 cities and states have proposed or passed laws targeting algorithmic rent-setting software, arguing that it facilitates price-fixing and artificially inflates housing costs. Cities like Seattle, Berkeley, Minneapolis, and Jersey City have already passed laws to curb their use, while states like Colorado have come close. At the federal level, the DOJ is still pursuing its civil antitrust suit against RealPage, a major player in rent-setting software, accusing it of replacing competition with coordination.
Despite industry pushback and lawsuits from companies like RealPage, cities and tenant advocates are pressing forward with legislation, steep penalties, and public support. Meanwhile, federal legislation remains stalled, but momentum is building as renters and lawmakers alike demand transparency, affordability, and fairness in the housing market.
Read the full story: Legislators Push Back Against ‘Rent-Setting’ Software
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