DOJ Sues RealPage Over Rent Inflation Claims

California, along with seven other states and the U.S. Department of Justice, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage Inc., alleging that its software facilitates illegal rent price fixing among landlords. The lawsuit claims that RealPage's algorithm allows competing landlords to share sensitive rental data, resulting in coordinated rent increases that stifle competition and inflate prices, affecting millions of renters nationwide. Attorney General Merrick Garland criticized RealPage for enabling landlords to manipulate market forces, asserting that Americans should not bear the burden of inflated rents due to such practices. RealPage, which controls about 80% of the commercial revenue management software market, has denied wrongdoing and stated its software complies with legal standards. The case comes amid growing scrutiny of housing affordability in the U.S., with calls for regulatory reforms to address the crisis. The lawsuit is seen as a significant step in tackling corporate practices that contribute to rising shelter costs.