D.C. Wins $1.4 Million Settlement in RealPage Rent-Fixing Case as Two Landlords Agree to Change Practices

June 15, 2026

The District of Columbia Attorney General has secured settlements totaling $1. 4 million from two landlords, Avenue5 Residential and Bell Partners, who allegedly used RealPage's property management software to artificially inflate rental prices throughout Washington, D.C. The companies participated in a scheme where landlords shared confidential business information through RealPage's platform, which then generated rent recommendations designed to maximize revenue rather than compete independently. Both companies must permanently stop using revenue management software that relies on competitors' confidential data and pay $700,000 each toward penalties, tenant compensation, and legal expenses.

Who is affected

D.C. residents who rented apartments at properties managed by Avenue5 Residential (667 units across three properties) and Bell Partners (over 1,300 units across two properties)
Tenants in more than 30% of District multifamily apartment buildings and approximately 60% of units in larger buildings with at least 50 units
12 other landlords participating in the lawsuit who shared information through RealPage's platform
RealPage, Inc., the property management software company
Avenue5 Residential, LLC and Bell Partners, Inc. (the settling defendants)
W.C. Smith (earlier settlement defendant)

What action is being taken

Avenue5 and Bell Partners are each paying $700,000 in settlements divided among civil penalties, payments to affected residents, and legal costs
Both companies are permanently changing their rent-setting practices by stopping use of revenue-management software that relies on non-public or confidential information from competitors
The Attorney General's office is continuing to pursue claims against RealPage and remaining landlord defendants
The District is working to hold all remaining defendants accountable

Why it matters

This case addresses housing affordability in Washington, D.C., where rent is already unaffordable for many residents. The alleged scheme affected a substantial portion of the city's rental market, with coordinated pricing potentially driving rents artificially higher rather than allowing natural market competition. The settlements establish legal precedent against anticompetitive rent-setting practices and demonstrate accountability for landlords who allegedly colluded to maximize revenues at tenants' expense. The enforcement provisions, including potential independent monitoring, create mechanisms to prevent future violations.

What's next

An independent monitor can be appointed at the companies' expense if the Attorney General's Office obtains evidence of potential violations of the settlement agreements
The monitor would review practices and determine whether additional penalties are warranted
The Attorney General's office will continue pursuing claims against RealPage and remaining landlord defendants in the ongoing litigation

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer