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US Justice Department Sues Major Landlords for Antitrust Violations

The DOJ alleges six landlords conspired to inflate rents through algorithmic pricing and information sharing, exacerbating the housing crisis for renters.

This story was covered by 7 sources. This shows the distribution of these sources: left-leaning (blue), center (gray), and right-leaning (red).

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Summary

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The US Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit against six large landlords, including Cushman & Wakefield and Greystar, for allegedly colluding to inflate rental prices through the use of algorithmic software and sharing sensitive pricing information. The lawsuit, which includes support from 10 states, cites a dire housing market where half of renters spend over 30% of their income on housing. Greystar and others deny the allegations and plan to defend against the claims. Cortland Management, however, has settled with the DOJ, agreeing to reform its practices.

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From the Left

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  • The Department of Justice's lawsuit, which is viewed as one of the federal government's most significant actions against the rental housing industry, targets major landlords for allegedly exploiting algorithms to inflate rents and coordinate their pricing strategies, exacerbating housing unaffordability during a national crisis.

  • Recent criticisms from the DOJ highlight how landlords shared sensitive rental pricing data to artificially maintain high prices, directly impacting renters who are struggling to manage their living costs amid rising inflation.

  • Major apartment companies, including those managing over 1.3 million rental units, face serious allegations, with the DOJ emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the rental market as they investigate practices that potentially harm consumers.

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From the Right

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  • The lawsuit from the Justice Department highlights the aggressive stance against major landlords coordinating on pricing strategies, using algorithms, and sharing sensitive data to inflate rents at a time when renters are already under immense financial stress due to a housing crisis.

  • As many U.S. renters face overwhelming costs, with half spending over 30% of their income on rent and utilities, the lawsuit underscores the urgency for accountability in the real estate market and the necessity of enforcing antitrust principles to improve housing affordability.

  • While major landlords like Greystar deny engaging in anti-competitive practices, the lawsuit, which includes support from multiple states, seeks to mandate greater transparency and fair competition to alleviate pressures faced by millions of renters nationwide.

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