Committee advances ordinance to ban algorithmic rent fixing; amendment adds private fee recovery

The Seattle City Council Housing & Human Services Committee voted June 11 to recommend passage of an ordinance that would prohibit algorithmic rent fixing by landlords and ban services that coordinate rental pricing across multiple properties.

Chair Cathy Moore, sponsor of Council Bill 121000, said she wanted prompt action: "I do have some sense of urgency around the issue," she said, describing the measure as a tool to combat what she called an anti‑competitive practice that "has an adverse effect on affordability." Moore moved the committee recommendation to pass the bill.

Council central staff summarized the measure. Tommaso Johnson, council central staff, said the ordinance defines "coordination" as automated, algorithmic analysis that uses public and private data to generate suggested lease terms, pricing and occupancy levels. The bill would prohibit landlords from using such coordination services and would also prohibit entities from offering coordination services to two or more landlords within city limits.

Enforcement would be both public and private. Johnson summarized the enforcement framework: the City Attorney would be authorized to seek civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation…