D.C. Landlords to Pay $9.3 Million to Settle Rent-Price Collusion Case

September 14, 2026

Two major property management companies, JBG Smith and Mid-America Apartments, have reached settlements totaling $9. 3 million with Washington D.C.'s Attorney General over allegations of rent price coordination. The companies were accused of using RealPage software to share confidential rental data with competitors, allegedly driving up apartment costs across the city where housing affordability is already a critical concern.

Who is affected

Washington D.C. residents and renters facing high housing costs
JBG Smith (owner of 4,500+ D.C. rental units)
Mid-America Apartments/MAA (owner of 269 D.C. units)
Other landlords using RealPage software (over 30% of D.C. multifamily apartments)
Law-abiding landlords competing in the D.C. rental market
Previously settled defendants: W.C. Smith, Avenue5, and Bell Partners
RealPage and at least 13 other landlords named in the litigation

What action is being taken

JBG Smith is paying $8.1 million and MAA is paying $1.2 million in settlements
Both companies are being prohibited from using revenue-management software that relies on competitors' nonpublic information
The companies must stop sharing their own confidential rental data with competing landlords
JBG Smith has already stopped using RealPage revenue-management software in the District
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is continuing to pursue the remaining defendants in the RealPage litigation
The attorney general's office is using antitrust law to challenge practices interfering with competition among landlords

Why it matters

This case addresses fundamental housing affordability challenges in Washington D.C., where costs have already pushed many residents out of the market. The significance lies in the allegation that landlords controlling significant portions of the rental market (30% overall, 60% in large buildings) were using shared proprietary data to coordinate pricing rather than competing independently. This practice potentially artificially inflated rents beyond what normal market competition would produce, making an already difficult housing situation worse for D.C. residents. The case establishes important precedent for applying antitrust law to technology-enabled information sharing in the rental housing market.

What's next

JBG Smith must pay $8.1 million within 30 days after court order entry or after receiving payment information
Both companies face 8-10 year restrictions on using competitive revenue-management software
If JBG Smith decides to use revenue-management software again, it must notify the attorney general's office
The District can appoint independent monitors to verify compliance if concerns arise
The attorney general's office will continue pursuing the remaining defendants in the RealPage litigation until "all the defendants are held accountable"
The attorney general has discretion to use settlement funds for restitution, litigation costs, and distribution administration

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer