The federal government has expanded its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage Inc., a company whose software helps landlords set apartment rental prices.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that RealPage’s platform, which is used by 80% of landlords, facilitates illegal coordination between competing landlords by sharing sensitive rental rate information. This practice is said to undermine competition, leading to inflated rental prices for tenants.
The expanded lawsuit now includes six major landlords: Greystar Real Estate Partners, LivCor (Blackstone), Camden Property Trust, Cushman & Wakefield, Pinnacle Property Management, Willow Bridge Property Company, and Cortland Management. These landlords manage 1.3 million rental units across 43 states, including areas in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama.
The complaint accuses RealPage of using its algorithm to analyze confidential data from rental applications, leases, and renewals to generate pricing recommendations that benefit landlords but harm renters by limiting competitive pricing.
The Justice Department argues this practice has led to higher rents, particularly in southeast Birmingham and north Mobile, where up to 80% of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments are affected by RealPage’s software.
The lawsuit aims to halt the companies alleged anticompetitive practices and restore fair market conditions, with the hope of making housing more affordable for renters.
In response, Greystar has denied the allegations, asserting that it operates with integrity and will defend itself against the lawsuit.