Charlotte Faces Rent Hike Allegations Amid Federal Price-Fixing Lawsuit Against Software Giant RealPage

Charlotte, N.C. — In an innovative legal challenge highlighting the evolving intersection of technology and antitrust laws, the U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against RealPage, a software company accused of artificially inflating apartment rents through its advanced data algorithms. This suit, alleging price fixing, claims the company has violated antitrust laws by manipulating rental price recommendations across several U.S. metropolitan areas, including Charlotte. The federal suit contends that RealPage’s software collects sensitive rental data from apartment managers and uses this to set higher rental prices than the market would typically dictate. This is … Read more

Justice Department Targets RealPage Inc. in Lawsuit, Alleging Rent Price-Fixing Scheme Using Advanced Algorithms

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department has launched a significant legal battle against RealPage Inc., a prominent real estate software firm, for allegedly manipulating rental market prices through its pricing algorithm. In a concerted effort with multiple state attorneys general from regions including North Carolina and California, the federal agency has charged the company with breaching antitrust laws, potentially leading to unjustifiably high rents for millions of Americans. According to the lawsuit, RealPage’s platform enables landlords nationwide to synchronize their rental pricing strategies, diminishing the competitive practices that typically help keep housing costs in check. … Read more

RealPage Faces Lawsuits Alleging Rental Market Cartel Collusion: What This Means for Renters and Landlords

DALLAS, TEXAS – Lawsuits filed against RealPage, a Texas-based company, have brought attention to the role of algorithms in the rental market. The company is being accused of facilitating a cartel among major property managers, leading to higher rents for tenants and increased profits for landlords who utilize RealPage’s software. RealPage, however, denies any wrongdoing. The lawsuits have shed light on a new facet of cartel behavior, challenging conventional understanding of the concept. By allegedly creating a system that enables collusion among property managers, RealPage stands accused of manipulating prices and limiting competition within the … Read more