Justice Department Proposes Consent Decree Against LivCor for Anticompetitive Practices

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a proposed consent decree to resolve claims against LivCor, LLC, a property management company owned by Blackstone, for participating in anticompetitive practices in the rental market. This action is part of a broader enforcement initiative targeting algorithmic coordination among landlords. The DOJ's complaint, filed on January 7, 2025, alleges that LivCor, along with five other landlords, engaged in a scheme to manipulate rental prices by sharing sensitive pricing information through software developed by RealPage, Inc.

DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-FixingJustice Department Reaches Proposed Consent Decree with LivCor, One of America’s Largest Landlords, to Resolve Information Sharing and Algorithmic Coordination ClaimsJustice Department Proposes Consent Decree with LivCor Over Data Sharing ViolationsReuters

The DOJ claims that LivCor and its co-defendants utilized RealPage's algorithms to exchange non-public information regarding rental pricing strategies, which facilitated coordinated rent increases. The lawsuit asserts that these practices reduced competition and contributed to higher housing costs for renters nationwide. LivCor is accused of discussing sensitive topics such as pricing strategies and rents directly with competitors, thereby violating antitrust laws.

DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-FixingReutersJustice Department Reaches Proposed Consent Decree with LivCor, One of America’s Largest Landlords, to Resolve Information Sharing and Algorithmic Coordination ClaimsJustice Department Proposes Consent Decree with LivCor Over Data Sharing Violations

If approved by the court, the consent decree will impose several conditions on LivCor:

Justice Department Proposes Consent Decree with LivCor Over Data Sharing Violations

• Prohibition on using anticompetitive algorithms that generate pricing recommendations based on competitors' sensitive data.

Justice Department Reaches Proposed Consent Decree with LivCor, One of America’s Largest Landlords, to Resolve Information Sharing and Algorithmic Coordination Claims

• Ban on sharing competitively sensitive information with other landlords.

Justice Department Reaches Proposed Consent Decree with LivCor, One of America’s Largest Landlords, to Resolve Information Sharing and Algorithmic Coordination Claims

• Requirement to accept oversight from a court-appointed monitor when using third-party pricing algorithms.

Justice Department Proposes Consent Decree with LivCor Over Data Sharing Violations

• Prohibition on attending RealPage-hosted meetings with competing landlords.

DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-Fixing

• Obligation to cooperate with ongoing claims against other defendants.

DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-Fixing

Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater emphasized the DOJ's commitment to enforcing antitrust laws in the housing sector, stating, “Landlords across America are on notice that the competition laws protect renters from the harms caused by competitors sharing competitively sensitive information or aligning prices, whether through an algorithm or otherwise.” LivCor has settled the case without admitting wrongdoing, with a spokesperson stating, “We remain as focused as ever on serving our residents.”

DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-Fixing

While the DOJ's actions have been framed as a necessary step to protect renters, some critics argue that the consent decree may not sufficiently address the underlying issues of affordability and competition in the rental market. Concerns have been raised about whether the measures will effectively deter similar practices in the future.

DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-Fixing

The proposed consent decree will be published in the Federal Register, allowing for a 60-day public comment period. Following this period, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina may enter a final judgment if it finds the settlement to be in the public interest.

Justice Department Reaches Proposed Consent Decree with LivCor, One of America’s Largest Landlords, to Resolve Information Sharing and Algorithmic Coordination Claims

• “Landlords across America are on notice that the competition laws protect renters from the harms caused by competitors sharing competitively sensitive information or aligning prices, whether through an algorithm or otherwise.” — Abigail Slater, Assistant Attorney General

Justice Department Reaches Proposed Consent Decree with LivCor, One of America’s Largest Landlords, to Resolve Information Sharing and Algorithmic Coordination Claims

• “We remain as focused as ever on serving our residents,” — LivCor Spokesperson

Reuters

This case against LivCor is part of a larger DOJ initiative targeting algorithmic collusion in the rental housing industry, which has included settlements with other major landlords such as Cortland Management, LLC, and Greystar Management Services, LLC.

DOJ Reaches Settlement With Blackstone’s LivCor Over Alleged Rent Price-Fixing