What the DOJ Settlement Means for RealPage
The DOJ settles with RealPage over its software’s alleged rent price fixing, aiming to curb anti-competitive practices in the rental market. The agreement restricts how RealPage collects and uses landlord data, blocking the software from using real-time competitor information to set rents. Tenants and landlords alike are watching closely, wondering how this move will impact rent prices nationwide.
How RealPage’s Software Influenced Rent Prices
RealPage’s software has faced scrutiny for allegedly nudging landlords to raise rents by sharing sensitive data from competitors. The DOJ and multiple states claimed that the tool created a “rent inflation loop,” where landlords gradually increased prices because the software recommended matching or exceeding nearby rents. The settlement requires RealPage to remove features that encourage landlords to follow competitors’ pricing.
Key Limits Imposed on RealPage
Under the DOJ settlement, RealPage can now only use landlord data that is at least 12 months old. The company must eliminate features that pressure landlords to keep rents high and cannot provide hyperlocalized pricing information that adjusts rents “block-by-block.” These restrictions are designed to restore fair competition and prevent software-driven rent hikes.
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