Bill > H5222

This bill, titled "Relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market," aims to prohibit the use of algorithms by landlords and service providers to artificially inflate or fix rental prices. It defines "coordinate" as a service provider collecting and analyzing rent data, occupancy rates, and lease information to recommend rental prices or terms to landlords, with an exception for fair market rent calculations based on public data. The bill makes it illegal for real estate lessors (landlords) to use such service providers and for service providers to facilitate agreements among landlords to avoid competing on rental prices for residential dwelling units. Violations are considered unfair methods of competition and breaches of existing consumer protection laws, with provisions for awarding damages, interest, attorney fees, and expert costs to successful plaintiffs. Crucially, the bill invalidates any pre-dispute arbitration agreements or waivers of class-action lawsuits for cases involving violations of this new chapter, allowing individuals to pursue legal action collectively.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Housing (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5222