For Immediate Release

April 29, 2025

Tinton Falls, NJ - State Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, M.D. (D-Monmouth), and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, Esq. (D-Monmouth) voiced their support of Attorney General Matt Platkin’s lawsuit against rental property owners who share information to restrict competition and keep rents high.

The Monmouth County legislators have sponsored S3699/A4872, to prohibit coordination among residential rental property owners using a program with an algorithm that allows them to share rent pricing information and act collusively to restrict competition and set high rents.

“This coordinated behavior for the primary reason of restricting competition has been going on for some time,” Gopal said. “Landlords participating in this collusive, price-gouging behavior are contributing to the skyrocketing rental prices that we’re experiencing in New Jersey and the lack of affordable housing.”

In a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, Platkin said the alleged scheme forced tens of thousands of apartment renters to overpay.

“Our bill prohibits the landlords from entering into agreements with other property owners who use these agreements to restrict competition for apartments,” Donlon said. “Housing affordability is driving some people to move out of New Jersey.”

“We have been at the forefront of this issue for the past year,” added Peterpaul. “Housing affordability impacts seniors, young people trying to make a start and find a place to live, and working families struggling to keep up with the rising costs of food and other necessities.” 

Platkin sued 10 of New Jersey’s largest landlords and RealPage Inc., a property management software company, accusing them of colluding to raise rents in violation of state and federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. 

In announcing the lawsuit, the attorney general said, “The skyrocketing rental prices that we’re experiencing in New Jersey are not the result of mere competition or mysterious market forces. What we are seeing and what so many hard-working New Jerseyans are experiencing is the result of deliberate market manipulation.”