- The DOJ’s amended antitrust lawsuit accuses RealPage and six landlords of inflating rents through coordinated use of rent-pricing software.
- Named defendants include Greystar, Blackstone’s LivCor, Camden Property Trust, and others, managing over 1.3 million rental units combined.
- Allegations include illegal price coordination through RealPage’s algorithms and data-sharing practices.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has significantly expanded its antitrust case against RealPage, a rent-pricing software company, now accusing six major landlords of engaging in a rent-fixing scheme.
The updated civil complaint, filed Tuesday, claims RealPage facilitated illegal price coordination through its algorithm, affecting millions of renters.
Key Defendants
The newly named landlords include industry giants such as Greystar, LivCor (a Blackstone affiliate), Willow Bridge Property Company, Camden Property Trust, Pinnacle (owned by Cushman & Wakefield), and Cortland. Together, these firms manage over 1.3 million units across the U.S.
Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that RealPage’s algorithm enabled landlords to set rents at artificially high levels. Landlords allegedly participated in “user groups” and “call arounds,” sharing sensitive rental data to coordinate pricing strategies. Such practices, the DOJ asserts, harmed competition and raised rents nationwide.
- Greystar: Denied allegations, vowing a strong legal defense.
- Cushman & Wakefield (Pinnacle): Asserted that it does not own properties or set prices.
- Camden Property Trust: Announced plans to seek dismissal.
- Cortland: Opted for settlement, citing its reliance on proprietary tools not tied to RealPage’s data-sharing methods.
Implications
This expanded lawsuit adds weight to ongoing private-sector claims against RealPage and the landlords. Experts believe the case could influence broader enforcement of antitrust laws in the rental market.
As litigation proceeds, RealPage and the named landlords are expected to mount strong defenses. Meanwhile, antitrust scrutiny of the real estate sector continues to grow.
