Summary
The U.S. Justice Department, joined by 10 states, has sued six major landlords and RealPage, a company behind a rent-setting algorithm, accusing them of colluding to keep rents high by sharing sensitive pricing data and avoiding competition.
The landlords, operating over 1.3 million units, allegedly used RealPage’s algorithm and coordination to align rents, exacerbating the housing crisis.
One landlord has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
Critics argue this scheme worsens affordability issues for renters, who already face record rent burdens amid a strained housing market.
Hey stop speculating and look up the case the DOJ made against them. And not just the cliffnotes. It explaines the practice way better than I could ever. But from what I remember the most profitable percentage of available units isn’t 0% but closer to 5%. Landlord companies don’t even need to do math and management of the housing; companies like Yardi and Rent Café does it all on their platform. One example was, a one year lease signed today is less valuable than a lease signed tomorrow or the next day… Due to inflation, scarcity, and all landlords playing the same game. Say I can rent out my apartment for $1000 a month today. But the Yardi algorithm says I can make $1100 a month if I wait 30 days to lease. Over the life of the lease I just made an extra $200 for nothing. Additionally you have one month less of potential maintenance. The algorithm knows how many leases in the area are ending and haven’t been renewed; how much housing is currently available; what businesses are opening up or closing down in the area; population growth/decline; and so many other data points that they know exactly how much to squeeze the population in any given area.
Housing is a human right. The only reason not everyone has it, is only because the wealthy and powerful want it that way for money.