OLYMPIA – Legislation to prohibit the use of anti-competitive rent-fixing software was introduced in the Senate Wednesday.
Senate Bill 5469, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline), would make it illegal for Washington landlords to use algorithmic rent-setting software that collects and analyzes data from two or more landlords and public or private databases.
“It’s outrageous and illegal to collude to raise the prices of rent,” Salomon said. “While most landlords are not doing this, it should be plainly illegal to use software that facilitates unlawful price fixing. This bill will help ensure rents are set at fair levels”.
The United States Department of Justice and 10 states, including Washington, are suing Real Page, the largest provider of this type of software, RealPage, alleging that its rent pricing suggestions — based on date collected from multiple landlords and databases — constitute price fixing in violation of federal antitrust law.
Follow the bill’s progress here.
