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A Philadelphia tenant is suing her corporate property manager for allegedly violating a city law that formally bars such companies from price-fixing rental rates, an illegal practice that housing advocates say undermines competition and fairness in the marketplace.
Filed earlier this month in the Court of Common Pleas, the lawsuit is believed to be the first of its kind since the antitrust law took effect in February 2025. The measure, inspired by a San Francisco law, is designed to stop corporate landlords from using revenue management software like RealPage to coordinate monthly rents.
“It is incumbent upon those of us who have been entrusted with the public trust, and with lawmaking and regulation, to do everything that we can do provide as many tools as possible that effectuates a line of defense for human beings to be able to thrive as opposed to corporations and tech to be able to overtake them,” said City Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, who introduced the bill in 2024.
Philadelphia City Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke in Philadelphia City Hall’s council chambers. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Testing Philadelphia’s new antitrust law
The lawsuit targets Willow Bridge Property Company and RealPage, whose rent-setting software has come under fire for using nonpublic data from landlords to recommend monthly payments. Opponents maintain that the software’s pricing algorithm effectively enables landlords to illegally coordinate with one another, pushing rents higher than they would be in a competitive market.
Advocates say algorithmic price-setting can ripple across the rental market, making housing less affordable, particularly for low-income renters.
The complaint alleges that Willow Bridge, one of the country’s largest apartment managers, broke the law when it subscribed to and used RealPage to set rents at its two market-rate buildings in Philadelphia. The Delaware-based company manages Vue 32 in University City and Rittenhouse Row in Center City. Combined, the properties contain 244 apartments.
Under the measure, renters have the right to directly sue their landlord or property manager. A private plaintiff is entitled to three times the value of the actual damages, or $2,000 per violation.
Willow Bridge did not respond to a request for comment.
A RealPage spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation.
