The "End Rent Fixing Act of 2025" aims to prevent the manipulation of rent prices across the United States by establishing specific prohibitions against certain practices. It makes it unlawful for a rental property owner to subscribe to or exchange value for the services of a "coordinator," and similarly prohibits any person from performing a "coordinating function." These actions are explicitly classified as unlawful methods of competition under the Federal Trade Commission Act and per se violations of the Sherman Act. A "coordinating function" is broadly defined to include several activities. This encompasses collecting historical or contemporaneous prices, supply levels, or lease termination/renewal dates from two or more rental property owners; analyzing this information using a similar formula or methodology, including training algorithms to predict rental prices or occupancy; and recommending rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to two or more rental property owners. The bill applies to various types of residential dwelling units but excludes medical, long-term care, and correctional facilities. Enforcement of this Act is granted to multiple authorities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can initiate civil actions to recover penalties and seek other relief, and the Attorney General is empowered to enforce the Act using existing antitrust laws. Additionally, State Attorneys General are authorized to enforce the provisions in a similar manner. Furthermore, the bill provides a mechanism for individuals harmed by violations. Any injured person may bring a civil action in federal court to recover threefold the damages sustained, along with reasonable litigation costs and attorney fees. Significantly, at the plaintiff's election, pre-dispute arbitration agreements and pre-dispute joint action waivers related to violations of this Act are rendered invalid or unenforceable , ensuring access to judicial remedies. The Act also clarifies that it supplements, rather than supersedes, existing antitrust laws and does not preempt state laws offering greater protection.
The "End Rent Fixing Act of 2025" aims to prevent the manipulation of rent prices across the United States by establishing specific prohibitions against certain practices. It makes it unlawful for a rental property owner to subscribe to or exchange value for the services of a "coordinator," and similarly prohibits any person from performing a "coordinating function." These actions are explicitly classified as unlawful methods of competition under the Federal Trade Commission Act and per se violations of the Sherman Act. A "coordinating function" is broadly defined to include several activities. This encompasses collecting historical or contemporaneous prices, supply levels, or lease termination/renewal dates from two or more rental property owners; analyzing this information using a similar formula or methodology, including training algorithms to predict rental prices or occupancy; and recommending rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to two or more rental property owners. The bill applies to various types of residential dwelling units but excludes medical, long-term care, and correctional facilities. Enforcement of this Act is granted to multiple authorities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can initiate civil actions to recover penalties and seek other relief, and the Attorney General is empowered to enforce the Act using existing antitrust laws. Additionally, State Attorneys General are authorized to enforce the provisions in a similar manner. Furthermore, the bill provides a mechanism for individuals harmed by violations. Any injured person may bring a civil action in federal court to recover threefold the damages sustained, along with reasonable litigation costs and attorney fees. Significantly, at the plaintiff's election, pre-dispute arbitration agreements and pre-dispute joint action waivers related to violations of this Act are rendered invalid or unenforceable , ensuring access to judicial remedies. The Act also clarifies that it supplements, rather than supersedes, existing antitrust laws and does not preempt state laws offering greater protection.