The Rent Is Too Damn Algorithmic - Washington City Paper
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Attorney General Brian Schwalb is investigating RealPage, a company that helps landlords set rent prices, for potential antitrust violations.

The rent is too damn algorithmic — DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb is investigating RealPage, a company that helps landlords set rent prices, for potential antitrust violations::Attorney General Brian Schwalb is investigating RealPage, a company that helps landlords set rent prices, for potential antitrust violations.

@Fedizen@lemmy.world
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21Y

We should force apartments to be run as non-profits similar to utilities with strict rent price regulations. Would this discourage new housing? No, it would just shift from developers building rentals to developers building condos.

Do YARDI next. Or maybe at the same time.

@HughJanus@lemmy.ml
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101Y

Any kind of algorithm used for type of thing is going to be trying to increase rents. If enough people all use the same algorithm, price fixing is what you’ll get.

It’s not necessarily malicious intent, it’s just the way the software works, which opens the discussion about the role of using algorithms in rent calculations in general.

@Yewb@lemmy.world
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101Y

10% additional tax on any second or more property you own, boom housing crisis solved

@vector_zero@lemmy.world
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-1
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1Y

> Rent increases to compensate for tax hike

> Surprised_Pikachu.jpg

The people that implemented this system knew what they were doing and should be thrown in jail.

Its a business model that advertises artificial price inflation for its special club of users, but it only affects the poors. This could go either way.

@30mag@lemmy.world
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371Y

RealPage, however, has repeatedly denied any allegations of price fixing or antitrust violations in previous statements and legal filings.

No shit.

@Bgugi@lemmy.world
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311Y

I’m just waiting for the day some corporation sends out a press release that says “lol, you got me bro.”

@30mag@lemmy.world
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41Y

They were interviewing that General on 60 Minutes the other day and asked him what amounted to “Did you commit treason when you made the phone call to China?”

I don’t think the General acted improperly, but, other than Trump, would you expect anyone to give any answer other than “No, of course not” when asked on national television?

I know someone who worked for them back in the day and let me tell you. Every scummy thing I read I have no proof of but from what I know of the company I believe.

@Fades@lemmy.world
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301Y

All of this inflation is artificial as fuck

My rent went up by 1200 in five years.

I used to put money in a savings account.

I have employees who are now looking for roommates.

@Pohl@lemmy.world
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161Y

Yeah, competitors setting their prices collectively is classic trust. The fact that they all hire a contractor who writes software to set the price, that doesn’t change anything. This is trust and it is against current law.

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