**Minnesota Department of Justice and Attorney General sue real estate software company over rent increases**

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), along with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and attorneys general from seven other states, have filed an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, a Texas-based software company. The lawsuit, filed in North Carolina, alleges that RealPage’s pricing software allows landlords to set above-market rents by sharing sensitive data such as current rents and vacancy rates, leading to higher rental prices.

The Justice Department alleges that this software, used by many landlords in Minnesota, violates the Sherman Antitrust Act by limiting competition and depriving tenants of fair market rates. RealPage denies the allegations and claims that its software can also lower rents when demand drops. However, the Justice Department argues that landlords are pressured to accept the software’s price recommendations, reducing competition in the rental market.

This case could have a significant impact on the rental market in Minnesota, where rising rents are a concern. It also raises broader questions about the use of AI in pricing and the need for regulatory oversight to ensure fair market practices.

The outcome of the litigation could impact rent pricing strategies and regulatory policies across the country, including in Minnesota.