Background

In 2023 53.3% of Maryland tenants spent more than 30% of their income on rent. The real costs of housing, insurance, utilities, and food prices have increased 22% since 2020. In 2024, our Baltimore City clients saw a 13% increase in rents from 2023, more than double the average for clients in other counties/cities outside the Baltimore metro region.

Apartment complexes in Maryland have been using private tenant data to fix prices and increase rent by colluding with RealPage, a company that provides revenue management software to apartment complexes. This software collects private data on rental prices and uses an algorithm to recommend rental prices to landlords and property managers.

The Problem

This algorithm was used to set prices for more than 100,000 apartments across Maryland. In effect, the use of this shared data allows apartment owners and managers to set prices, distorts a free and fair marketplace, and could raise rents for tenants who already struggle with the high cost of living.

RealPage raises profits for landlords and increases financial hardship for tenants. In other words, the few benefit at the expense of the many.

The Solution

SB609/HB817 sponsored by Sen. Sara Love and Del. Julie Palakovich-Carr will prohibit the use of algorithms to set rental prices. SB609 was heard on Monday in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

This is a simple bill that protects tenants and promotes fair competition. Yet landlords, realtors, property management companies are lining up against the bill.

Please urge your Senator to vote YES on SB609, and protect tenants.

As the Administration tries to dismantle federal agencies, our work in Maryland is more important than ever. We’re working to expand consumer protection laws and fending off legislation that will open the state to predatory lenders and financial services. Donate today with a one-time or monthly contribution to support our work.

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