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DOJ Settlement Restricts RealPage from Using Real-Time Rent Data to Set Prices

01:21 AM, 11/26/2025
DOJ Settlement Restricts RealPage from Using Real-Time Rent Data to Set Prices

The Justice Department reached a settlement with RealPage that prevents the company from using real‑time nonpublic data to generate rent recommendations; any nonpublic data used to train pricing algorithms must now be at least one year old. RealPage will not pay damages or admit wrongdoing, and the agreement requires judicial approval. DOJ officials say the change should restore competition in local housing markets, while RealPage maintains its practices had procompetitive effects. Several property managers have settled related claims, and new state and city rules are targeting rent‑setting software.

Federal prosecutors and RealPage Inc. reached a settlement that bars the company from using real‑time, nonpublic data to produce rent recommendations, resolving accusations of illegal "algorithmic collusion." A judge must still approve the agreement.

RealPage provides daily pricing suggestions to landlords and property managers nationwide. While clients are not required to follow those recommendations, critics argued the platform’s access to confidential data let landlords monitor competitors and push rents higher. Prosecutors said the software effectively replaced competition with coordination.

"RealPage was replacing competition with coordination, and renters paid the price," said DOJ antitrust chief Gail Slater, noting that the settlement avoids a costly, protracted trial.

Under the proposed terms, RealPage may no longer use real‑time, nonpublic information to generate price recommendations. Any nonpublic data used to train the company’s pricing algorithms must be at least one year old. The company does not admit wrongdoing and would not pay damages under the deal.

RealPage attorney Stephen Weissman said the company welcomed the settlement and disputed criticisms about how its software operates. "We believe that RealPage’s historical use of aggregated and anonymized nonpublic data, which include rents that are typically lower than advertised rents, has led to lower rents, fewer vacancies, and more procompetitive effects," he said.

In recent months, more than two dozen property management firms have reached settlements related to their use of RealPage’s software. Greystar, the nation’s largest landlord, agreed to pay $50 million to resolve a class-action suit and $7 million to settle a separate action brought by nine states.

Lawmakers and local officials have also taken action: the governors of California and New York recently signed laws targeting rent‑setting software, and cities including Philadelphia and Seattle have passed ordinances restricting its use. Ten states — California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington — joined the DOJ’s antitrust suit, though they were not parties to Monday’s settlement.

What this could mean for renters

Proponents of the settlement say requiring older data for algorithm training will reduce the software’s ability to mirror competitors’ current pricing and should restore more independent price-setting in local housing markets. Critics and consumer advocates will be watching to see whether the change leads to lower rents and greater competition in practice.

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DOJ Settlement Restricts RealPage from Using Real-Time Rent Data to Set Prices - CRBC News