The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has recently taken up the widespread problem of landlords charging hidden fees, which sneakily increase a tenant’s monthly rent. It’s not only an issue in San Francisco, but also …
If Equity Residential and AvalonBay Communities Merge, Will Americans Face a Mega-Predatory Landlord?
Recently, news reports revealed that Equity Residential and AvalonBay Communities, two of the largest corporate landlords in the United States, have started talks about a merger. What journalists didn’t bring up is that Equity and …
The Real Dirt: RealPage Scandal, Predatory Landlords, People Power
The Real Dirt is a monthly column by award-winning advocacy journalist Patrick Range McDonald that exposes the real estate industry’s lies, scams, and other unscrupulous acts, which impact the lives of millions. It’s been three years since …
Cities Across United States are Banning Price-Fixing Software for Rental Housing
A growing movement to ban price-fixing software for rental housing continues to spread across the United States. As a result of the RealPage scandal, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Jersey City, and recently Hoboken have passed …
The Real Dirt: The RealPage Scandal, Big Real Estate Hires Fake Activists, Reining In the Oligarchs
The Real Dirt is a regular column by award-winning advocacy journalist Patrick Range McDonald that exposes the real estate industry’s lies, scams, and other unscrupulous acts, which impact the lives of millions. Big news came …
As Nation’s Largest Corporate Landlords Keep Growing, Rent Control is Needed More Than Ever
The National Multifamily Housing Council, the powerful landlord lobbying group based in Washington D.C., has released a new ranking of the nation’s largest corporate landlords. What becomes clear is that as Big Real Estate continues …
The Real Dirt: Rent Gougers, Shady Campaign Cash, and Corporate YIMBYs
The Real Dirt is a regular column by award-winning advocacy journalist Patrick Range McDonald that exposes the real estate industry’s lies, scams, and other unscrupulous acts, which impact the lives of millions. It’s the inaugural …
Senators Call for Investigation Into Rent Gouging of Military Families Through RealPage Software
U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Ruben Gallego have recently sent a letter to the Department of Defense calling for an investigation into whether landlords are using RealPage software to rent gouge military families. Over the …
Corporate Landlords Mired in RealPage Scandal are Funding Anti-Rent Control Effort in California
Five corporate landlords mired in the RealPage scandal are also shelling out millions to stop Proposition 33, the November ballot measure that expands rent control in California. Corporate landlords Equity Residential, Essex Property Trust, Greystar, …
With FBI Raid, RealPage Scandal Heats Up for Corporate Landlords in California and Other States
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has raided the offices of Cortland Management, a corporate landlord that uses the controversial RealPage software program to jack up rents. It’s a clear sign that the RealPage scandal is …