Global

US Justice Department Sues Major Landlords Over Alleged Rent-Fixing Scheme

The US Department of Justice has initiated legal action against several major landlords, accusing them of collaborating to maintain high rental prices by utilising an algorithm for setting rents and sharing confidential information with competitors to maximise profits.

This lawsuit arrives at a time when US renters continue to face mounting pressure from an unforgiving housing market, as wages fail to keep pace with rising rents. Recent data reveals that, in 2022, half of American renters allocated more than 30% of their income to rent and utilities.

The financial strain is exacerbated by the daily struggle to balance essential expenses such as medication, groceries, and school supplies with rent payments. As a result, eviction notices and lengthy legal battles have become commonplace, with children bearing the brunt of these hardships. According to Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, 1.5 million people are evicted annually.

Although multiple factors have contributed to the housing crisis, including a decline in new home construction over the past decade, the Justice Department’s lawsuit highlights the role played by large landlords in exacerbating the issue.

The department, supported by 10 states—including North Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado, and California—has accused six landlords, who collectively manage over 1.3 million rental units across 43 states and the District of Columbia, of conspiring to prevent rent reductions.

One of the defendants, Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC issued an unsigned statement on its website, “Greystar has and will conduct its business with the utmost integrity. At no time did Greystar engage in any anti-competitive practices.

“We will vigorously defend ourselves in this lawsuit.”

The lawsuit alleges that the landlords involved exchanged sensitive information about rents and occupancy levels with competitors through various channels, such as email, phone calls, and group discussions. The data shared allegedly included renewal rates, the frequency of algorithmic price recommendations, the use of incentives like offering one month’s free rent, and future pricing strategies.

The Justice Department revealed that one of the six accused landlords has agreed to cooperate with the investigation. The proposed settlement would impose restrictions on how the company can use competitors’ data and algorithms to set rental prices.

“Today’s action against RealPage and six major landlords seeks to end their practice of putting profits over people and make housing more affordable for millions of people across the country,” stated Doha Mekki, the acting assistant attorney general for the department’s antitrust division, in a press release issued on Tuesday.

The landlords have been added to an ongoing lawsuit against RealPage, which operates an algorithm that advises landlords on setting rental prices. Prosecutors contend that the algorithm uses sensitive competitive data, enabling landlords to synchronise their pricing and avoid the kind of competition that would typically drive rents down.

Frances Ibiefo

Follow us on:

Frances Ibiefo

View Comments

  • <<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers="" interested="" applicant="" should="" contact="" us="" for="" more="" information.;="">>><VEHICLES @ RICES
    THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY FOR AUCTION >Custom Auctions Is Up Again and Granting Nigerians the

    Privilege to Own Vehicles at Affordable RatesFOR MORE INFORMATION Call or message on WhatsApp(Officer Omar Patrick)) 07O ___-6875 __-7992
    RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
    MamaGold=30,500
    Royal umbrella=30,500
    Mama Gold=30,500
    Rising sun=30,500
    Mama Africa=30,500
    Elephant Gold=30,500
    Caprice =30,500
    NOTE: Delivery fee IS (#5000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery..
    *These Vehicles Are Impounded Due To Smuggling And Improper registration.*
    *These Vehicles Are Direct Tokunbo and Has Never Been Used In Nigeria.*.For any purchase
    Call the officer((Omar Patrick))
    07O -6875 _-7992
    #TOYOTA
    TOYOTA CAMRY ₦2.2 650,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY ₦2.4 850,000
    TOYOTA COROLLA ₦900,000
    TOYOTA MATRIX ₦800,000
    TOYOTA SIENNA ₦950,000
    TOYOTA RAV4 ₦1.2 MILLION
    TOYOTA VENZA ₦3.5 MILLION
    TOYOTA CAMRY SPIDER ₦1.8 MILLION
    TOYOTA HIACE BUS ₦2.5 MILLION
    TOYOTA PRADO ₦4 MILLION
    TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ₦1.8 MILLION
    •Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.3m
    •Toyota Prado N1.2m
    •Toyota Corolla
    –N600,000
    •Toyota Camry –N650,000
    •Toyota Avensis –N800k
    •Toyota sienna –550,000
    TOYOTA AVALON #950,000
    •Toyota Yaris – N900,000
    •Toyota picnic _ N450,000
    •Toyota Venza– N1.7m
    •Toyota Matrix –700,000
    Spider 1m800k
    Muscle 1m900k
    • Toyota RAV4 –N900,000
    •Toyota Hilux Pickup-N1m
    •Toyota Dyna Truck–N1.3million
    •Toyota 4 Runner–N1m
    tundra 2.670,000
    tacoma 2.5Million
    •Toyota Hiace Bus –N1.5m
    •Toyota Highlander-N1.2m
    •Toyota Big daddy-800k

    Toyota Camry Big Daddy=N550,000.
    Toyota Camry Tiny-Light=N400,000.
    Toyota Avenza =N950,000. To 1.3 million
    Toyota Hilux=N 1.2 million
    Toyota Avensis=N450,000.
    Toyota Camry Muscle=N 600,000. & Spider=N650,000.
    Toyota Avalon=N600,000.
    Toyota Rav4 SUV=N850,000.
    Toyota Sienna=N600,000.
    Toyota 4Runner=N800,000.
    Toyota Tundra=N 1.8 Million
    Toyota picnic=N450,000.
    Toyota Highlander=N1m550,000. to 2m
    Toyota Corolla=N500,000.
    Toyota Prado=N950,000. To 3.4 million
    Toyota LandCruisser=N950,000. to 3m
    Toyota Yaris=N750.000.
    Toyota Matrix=N550,000.
    Toyota Haice Bus=N 950,000 to N 1.3 Million
    Toyota Camry 2.4M Tiny-Light ₦850.000
    Toyota Camry Big-Daddy ₦950.000
    Toyota Camry Muscle ₦1.2M
    Toyota Camry Spider ₦1.3M
    Toyota Avalon ₦2.2M
    Toyota Avensis ₦1.2M
    Toyota Corolla ₦950.000
    Toyota Yaris ₦1.2M
    Toyota Matrix ₦900.000
    Toyota Picnic ₦1.1M
    Toyota Sienna ₦2.1M
    Toyota Venza ₦3.2M
    Toyota Rav4 ₦1.1M
    Toyota 4Runner ₦1.8M
    Toyota Hiace-Bus ₦2.9M
    Toyota Highlander ₦2.3M
    Toyota Land Cruiser ₦4.6M
    Toyota Tundra ₦4.8M
    Toyota Prado ₦5.3M
    #HONDA
    HONDA ACCORD ₦700,000
    HONDA PILOT ₦1.2 MILLION
    HONDA EOD ₦850,000
    HONDA ODYSSEY ₦1MILLION
    Honda Baby Boy= ₦780,000
    Honda Accord EOD= ₦950,000
    Honda City= ₦750,000
    Honda Crosstour= ₦1.2M
    Honda CR-V= ₦950k
    Honda Odyssey= ₦850,000
    Honda Pilot= ₦1Million
    Honda Pilot=N950,000.
    Honda Baby Boy=N500,000.
    Honda End of Discussion(EOD)=N550,000.
    Honda Accord=N500,000.
    Honda CRV=N800,000.
    Honda Accord ₦950,000
    Honda City ₦850,000
    Honda Civic ₦950.000
    Honda C-RV ₦1.5M
    Honda Crosstour ₦1.2M
    Honda Element ₦950.000
    Honda Evilspirit ₦1.1M
    Honda Odyssey ₦1.2M
    Honda Pilot ₦2.3M

    *Prices of some Volswagen cars:
    Golf 2-250,000
    Golf 3-N300,000
    Golf4-350,000
    Golf 5 -N550,000
    Jetta-N350,000
    Passat-N450,000
    #LEXUS
    LEXUS Es300 ₦1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS Es330 ₦1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS Es350 ₦2 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx300 ₦1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx330 ₦3 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx350 ₦4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400 ₦3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460 ₦4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470 ₦5 MILLION
    LEXUS ES300@#1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS ES330@#1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS ES350@#2 MILLION
    LEXUS RX300@#1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS RX330@#3 MILLION
    LEXUS RX350@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400@#3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470@#5 MILLION
    Lexus GX460=₦6.6M
    Lexus GX470=₦8.4M
    Lexus GX570=₦13.8M
    Lexus IS-250=₦2.1M
    Lexus ES-330=₦1.5M
    Lexus ES-350=₦2.6M
    Lexus RX300= ₦1.5M
    Lexus RX330= ₦2.8M
    Lexus RX350= ₦3.2M.
    Lexus Rx300=N800,000. To N2.1 Million
    Lexus Rx330=N850,000 To N2.2 Million
    Lexus Rx350=N900,000 To N3.3 Million
    Lexus Rx470=N3.m
    Lexus Rx330 ₦2.1M
    Lexus Rx350 ₦4.1M
    Lexus Rx400 ₦5.4M
    Lexus Gx470₦7M
    #MERCEDES
    MERCEDES C240 ₦1.3 MILLION
    MERCEDES C300 ₦1.7 MILLION
    MERCEDES ML350 ₦2.8 MILLION
    MERCEDES GLK350 ₦3.8 MILLION
    MERCEDES GL470 ₦4 Million.etc.
    BENZ C-CLASS ₦3,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4.6M
    MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ₦3,500,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ₦4,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLK ₦4,500,000
    MERCEDES BENZ ML₦5,000,000
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.7 million
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦2.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.5 Million
    Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4.8MILLION
    Mercedes Benz ML350 ₦2.3 million
    Mercedes Benz g-wagon ₦125 million.
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦3.5M
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦3.9M
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦3.8M
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦4.6M
    Mercedes Benz ML₦5.6M
    Nissan pathfinder= ₦1.9M
    Nissan Altima= ₦1.820,000
    Nissan Armanda= ₦1.2M
    Nissan Murano 950,000
    Nissan Murano=N850,000. to N 1.2 Million
    Nissan Pathinder=N800,000. To N 1 million
    Nissan Altima=N800,000.
    Nissan Maxima=N600,000.
    Nissan Altima ₦1.2M
    Nissan Armada ₦2.3M
    Nissan Maxima N1M
    Nissan Murano ₦1.4M
    Nissan Primera ₦900,000
    Nissan Pathfinder ₦1.5M
    Nissan Maxima= ₦1.600,000.e.t.c.

    Range rover vogue 8mill
    Range rover sport HSE 4.8m
    Land rover 3.3m
    Land Rover Discovery ₦4.8M
    Land Rover Freelander ₦5.5M
    Land Rover Vogue ₦5.2M
    Range Rover Sport. ₦5.5M

    Acura ZDX 1.550,000
    Acura MDX 1.6m
    Acura TL ₦1.2M
    Acura MDX ₦2.2M
    Acura ZDX ₦1.9M

    MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFER'S LIKE.....
    LAPTOPS, GENERATOR'S, FRIDGE, CONTAINERS, PHONE, MOTORCYCLE, AND KEKE.... Bales of Okirika Clothes 50kg for #35,000, 100kg for #75,000 and 150kg for #180,000

    👉KEKE MARUWA.
    Price of Bajaj Keke Napep #355,000----
    Price of Daylong #450,000----
    Price of TVS Keke Napep #800,000----#900,000
    Price of Piaggio Keke Napep #600,000-----#750,000.

    👉 CONTACT (Officer Omar Patrick) 07O -6875 _-7992
    Bags of cement #5,500
    Delivery cost is #1,000

    EVERY BUYER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE DOCUMENTS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE!!!!WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!! ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT: THE OFFICER(( Omar Patrick)) 07O -6875 _-7992THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US.📞📞📞📞📞📞📞

Recent Posts

Threat to Life: Obi’s Claim A Baseless Narrative, Says Ganduje

APC Chairman Ganduje has described Peter Obi's alleged threat to life as "sheer mischief and…

7 hours ago

Justice Department to Release Partial Special Counsel Trump Report for Now

The Justice Department has announced plans to release only portions of the special counsel's report…

7 hours ago

Liam Payne’s Cause of Death Confirmed as Polytrauma

Liam Payne’s tragic death has been officially attributed to polytrauma, as confirmed by the latest…

7 hours ago

Emefiele Pleads Not Guilty to Abuse of Office Charges as Court Strikes Out Some Counts

Emefiele has denied charges of foreign exchange abuse, court dismisses some counts but allows the…

8 hours ago

France Asserts EU Sovereignty Amid Trump’s Greenland Acquisition

France reaffirmed EU’s stance against attacks on sovereign borders, as Trump refuses to rule out…

8 hours ago

Thirteen Soldiers Missing After Explosions At Cuban Ammunition Depot

Thirteen Cuban soldiers are missing after explosions at a Holguín ammunition depot, prompting evacuations and…

8 hours ago