Kentucky Targets Alleged Rent Price Fixing Scheme Involving RealPage and Landlords

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has filed a lawsuit accusing a major real estate software company and several landlord groups of working together to inflate rent prices across the state.

Lawsuit Targets RealPage and Landlord Organizations

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, names RealPage, Inc., a Texas-based software company, along with several landlord organizations. RealPage is a dominant player in the rental industry, controlling over 80% of the revenue management software market.

According to the complaint, RealPage used its platform to gather sensitive data from competing landlords, including rental applications, lease agreements, renewal offers, and occupancy forecasts. This information was used to generate pricing recommendations, allegedly aimed at pushing rent prices higher.

“RealPage replaces competition with coordination. It does so openly and directly, and renters in Kentucky are left paying the price,” the complaint states.

Impact on Renters in Kentucky

The lawsuit highlights the toll the alleged price fixing has taken on renters. As of 2023, nearly half—47.5%—of Kentucky renters were considered “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend at least 30% of their income on housing. Rising rent costs have been particularly steep in Louisville, which has seen some of the sharpest increases nationwide.

With roughly 560,000 households renting across Kentucky, Attorney General Coleman said the stakes are high for families trying to keep up with housing costs.

Violations of State and Federal Law

Coleman alleges that RealPage and its co-defendants violated both federal antitrust laws and Kentucky’s Consumer Protection Act. The state is asking the court to stop the alleged conduct and impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

“Out-of-state corporations are taking advantage of Kentuckians, and they’re circumventing the free market to do it,” Coleman said. “These predatory businesses will face serious consequences in Kentucky.”

Investigation Led by Consumer Protection Division

The lawsuit was led by the Attorney General’s Division Chief for Consumer and Senior Protection, Chris Lewis, with support from Deputy Director for Consumer Protection Jon Farmer and Assistant Attorney General John Ghaelian.

The Attorney General’s Office said the case is part of its broader effort to hold companies accountable for illegal practices that hurt Kentucky residents.

The case marks a major development in state-level action against corporate control of rental markets, a trend that has drawn increasing scrutiny across the country.