Richardson, Texas, November 26, 2025
RealPage Inc., based in Richardson, Texas, has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve allegations of anticompetitive practices in the rental housing market. The DOJ accused RealPage’s software of allowing landlords to coordinate and inflate rental prices, thereby harming renters. The settlement imposes several operational restrictions, including ceasing use of nonpublic data for pricing algorithms and limiting data for model training. Importantly, RealPage is not required to pay financial penalties or admit wrongdoing, and the agreement awaits court approval.
Richardson, Texas – RealPage Inc. Settles Federal Antitrust Lawsuit Over Rental Pricing Practices
Richardson-based RealPage Inc. has agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve allegations of anticompetitive practices in the rental housing market. The settlement, announced on November 24, 2025, addresses concerns that RealPage’s software facilitated coordination among landlords to inflate rental prices, potentially harming renters nationwide.
Settlement Details
The proposed settlement imposes several restrictions on RealPage’s operations:
- Cease Use of Competitors’ Nonpublic Data: RealPage is required to stop using nonpublic, competitively sensitive information from landlords to determine rental prices in real-time operations.
- Limit Data for Model Training: The company must restrict the training of its pricing algorithms to nonpublic data that is at least 12 months old, excluding active lease data.
- Geographic Pricing Models: RealPage is prohibited from using models that determine geographic effects narrower than at the state level, ensuring broader market analysis.
- Discontinue Market Surveys: The company must halt conducting surveys to collect competitively sensitive information from landlords.
- Cooperation with Ongoing Litigation: RealPage agrees to cooperate with the DOJ’s ongoing lawsuit against other property management companies implicated in similar practices.
Notably, the settlement does not require RealPage to pay any financial penalties or admit to any wrongdoing. The agreement is subject to court approval before it becomes final.
Background Context
RealPage Inc. is a technology company that provides revenue management software to the multifamily rental housing industry. The DOJ’s investigation revealed that RealPage’s software enabled landlords to share sensitive pricing information, leading to coordinated rent increases that could harm renters by inflating housing costs.
In related developments, several property management firms have reached settlements in similar antitrust cases. For instance, Greystar Management Services LLC agreed to a $7 million settlement in California, and other companies have settled for amounts ranging from $550,000 to $50 million. These settlements collectively aim to address and prevent anticompetitive practices in the rental housing market.
The DOJ’s actions reflect a broader effort to ensure fair competition and protect consumers from practices that could lead to higher rental prices. The department emphasizes the importance of independent pricing decisions among competitors to maintain a healthy and competitive market.
Implications for Renters and the Rental Market
The settlement with RealPage is expected to have significant implications for renters and the broader rental market:
- Enhanced Market Competition: By restricting the sharing of sensitive pricing information, the settlement aims to foster more competitive pricing among landlords, potentially leading to more affordable rental options for tenants.
- Increased Transparency: The limitations on data sharing and algorithmic pricing are intended to reduce the likelihood of coordinated rent increases, promoting transparency in rental pricing.
- Ongoing Legal Actions: The DOJ’s continued litigation against other property management companies suggests a sustained commitment to addressing anticompetitive practices in the rental housing sector.
As the settlement awaits court approval, stakeholders in the rental housing market, including landlords, property management companies, and renters, are closely monitoring the developments to understand the full impact on rental pricing and market dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the RealPage settlement about?
The settlement involves RealPage Inc. agreeing to cease certain practices that allegedly facilitated coordination among landlords to inflate rental prices, potentially harming renters nationwide.
What restrictions are imposed on RealPage under the settlement?
RealPage is required to stop using competitors’ nonpublic data for real-time rental price determinations, limit data for model training to nonpublic data at least 12 months old, avoid using geographic pricing models narrower than the state level, discontinue market surveys to collect competitively sensitive information, and cooperate with the DOJ’s ongoing lawsuit against other implicated property management companies.
Does the settlement require RealPage to pay penalties or admit wrongdoing?
No, the settlement does not require RealPage to pay any financial penalties or admit to any wrongdoing. It is subject to court approval before becoming final.
How does this settlement affect renters?
The settlement aims to enhance market competition and transparency, potentially leading to more affordable rental options for tenants by reducing coordinated rent increases among landlords.
Are other property management companies involved in similar legal actions?
Yes, other property management firms, such as Greystar Management Services LLC, have reached settlements in similar antitrust cases, collectively addressing and preventing anticompetitive practices in the rental housing market.
Key Features of the RealPage Settlement
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Cease Use of Competitors’ Nonpublic Data | RealPage must stop using nonpublic, competitively sensitive information from landlords to determine rental prices in real-time operations. |
| Limit Data for Model Training | The company is required to restrict the training of its pricing algorithms to nonpublic data that is at least 12 months old, excluding active lease data. |
| Geographic Pricing Models | RealPage is prohibited from using models that determine geographic effects narrower than at the state level, ensuring broader market analysis. |
| Discontinue Market Surveys | The company must halt conducting surveys to collect competitively sensitive information from landlords. |
| Cooperation with Ongoing Litigation | RealPage agrees to cooperate with the DOJ’s ongoing lawsuit against other property management companies implicated in similar practices. |
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