Oregon renters are being squeezed by anti-competitive, price-fixing software that lets corporate landlords act like a cartel, driving up rents and pushing families out of their homes. Senate Bill 722 cracks down on these predatory practices and ensures that rental prices are set fairly, not manipulated for maximum profit. Oregon's lawsuit on price fixing against RealPage and Greystar, identifies rental markets where RealPage controls pricing on at least 30% of rental units, neighborhoods include Aloha/West Beaverton and Central Portland—affecting approximately 54,000 units statewide. The Solution? SB 722. Here’s what SB 722 does: ✅ Bans Rent-Setting Software – Eliminates the use of algorithmic pricing tools that allow landlords to collude on rent hikes, inflating prices beyond what the market would naturally bear. Rent decisions should be made transparently, not dictated by software designed to maximize profits at tenants’ expense. Click here to see what a rent increase looks like when utilizing this software. ✅ Closes a Rent Control Loophole – Reduces the exemption period for new rental units, ensuring that landlords can’t gouge tenants with rent hikes of 50% or more in newer, but aging apartments. We’ve already seen this happen. At The Prescott Apartments in 2022, tenants faced rent hikes of 50% or more after the landlord’s incentive period expired. Portland’s tax breaks were supposed to create affordability, but instead, they lined investors’ pockets while renters got blindsided after nine years of occupancy. It’s time to break up the rent-setting cartel, stop anti-competitive price fixing, and close loopholes in the law. Sign our petition to demand lawmakers pass SB 722 and protect Oregon renters from corporate greed!
John E. Bartley, III (D) K7AAY
