US Landlords Accused of Rent Price-Fixing Scheme: Justice Department Files Lawsuit
2025-01-07
The Associated Press - Business News
The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against six major landlords, alleging a rent price-fixing scheme that used algorithms to set rents and private sharing to keep prices high. This coordinated effort is accused of unfairly inflating rents for Americans. The lawsuit claims that landlords utilized data analytics and private communication to suppress competition and maintaining high rent prices, affecting thousands of tenants across the country. The department is cracking down on such anticompetitive practices, promoting fair housing and affordable rent options. As the housing market continues to fluctuate, this lawsuit highlights the importance of rent control and competition in the rental market.