RealPage Reaches Settlement in Federal Rent‑Collusion Lawsuit

Justice Department alleges the software firm helped landlords overcharge tenants

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that RealPage, a leading provider of real‑estate software, will settle a federal case accusing the company of enabling rent‑setting collusion among landlords. The settlement comes after the DOJ alleged that RealPage’s platforms allowed property owners to share pricing data, effectively bypassing free‑market competition and inflating rental prices for millions of tenants.

Key points of the agreement:

• Financial penalty: RealPage will pay a substantial civil fine to the government, the exact amount of which has not been disclosed pending final court approval.
• Compliance measures: The company must implement new safeguards, including independent audits and stricter data‑access controls, to ensure its software cannot be used for anti‑competitive purposes.
• Transparency requirements: RealPage is obligated to provide the DOJ with regular reports on its compliance program and any future changes to its pricing tools.

The DOJ’s lawsuit contended that RealPage’s “Rent‑Boost” and “Market Insights” tools gave landlords a convenient way to compare rent levels across competing properties, facilitating coordinated rent hikes. “When technology is used to share sensitive pricing information, it undermines the basic principles of a competitive market,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.

RealPage, which serves thousands of property management firms nationwide, denied wrongdoing but acknowledged the settlement as a step toward “enhancing the integrity of its platforms.” In a statement, the company’s CEO said, “We are committed to protecting renters and maintaining a fair marketplace, and we will work closely with regulators to meet all obligations.”

Legal experts note that the case highlights growing scrutiny of tech‑driven real‑estate services and could set a precedent for how similar software is regulated in the future. The settlement is expected to be finalized later this year, after which RealPage will begin implementing the court‑ordered reforms.