Economy

Dems seek statewide bans on rent-setting algorithms

The push is over price-fixing concerns that they say exacerbates the housing affordability issue.
A sign indicating the availability of an apartment to rent stands outside a building early Friday, May 28, 2021, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Democratic lawmakers in at least five states want to ban corporate landlords from using pricing software that critics say allows property owners to secretly work together to raise rents, making it even harder for people to afford housing in growing cities.

Bills filed in California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Virginia would impose the first ever statewide bans on software sold by RealPage and other providers. San Francisco and Philadelphia leaders imposed citywide bans last year.

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