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Attorney General says state sued RealPage over rent‑setting algorithms and welcomes legislative action
Summary
The AG told the committee the state filed a federal case accusing RealPage of algorithmic price‑fixing that artificially floors rents; he called the platform a 'cartel' and said the state will both litigate and work with lawmakers on possible statutory responses.
A member asked the Attorney General about the state's federal litigation against RealPage and whether state statute would better address rent‑setting algorithms.
The Attorney General said New Jersey filed a federal complaint alleging that RealPage's rental pricing platform enabled collusion among large landlords, raising rents above competitive levels. He described evidence in the state complaint — including an unsealed landlord email in the filings — and called the platform "a cartel" that can raise and fix prices across many apartments.
The Attorney General said he is confident in the suit and willing to collaborate with legislators on statutory solutions, while emphasizing the department's intent to hold industry actors accountable through civil enforcement.
Committee members who have pursued local or state bills on algorithmic rent setting welcomed the AG's enforcement and expressed interest in joint legislative and enforcement approaches; the AG encouraged that cooperation.
