New Jersey Senate Bill S3699

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/30/24
• Refer: 9/30/24

Caption

Prohibits facilitation of agreements among rental property owners who restrict competition with respect to residential dwelling units.

Impact

Upon enactment, S3699 would amend the New Jersey Antitrust Act to explicitly prohibit certain practices among rental property owners involving pricing coordination. This encompasses any agreements made through software or data analytics services that could lead to price fixing or collusive bidding, thus reducing competition. Such changes are significant as they would enforce stricter regulations on the rental market, promoting greater transparency and potentially leading to more competitive pricing in the rental housing sector.

Summary

Senate Bill S3699, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, aims to address the state's ongoing affordable housing crisis by prohibiting facilitation of agreements among rental property owners that restrict competition related to residential dwelling units. The bill recognizes that median rental prices have surged significantly, exemplified by the 61% increase for studio apartments in urban settings from 2021 to 2024. The legislation stems from concerns that property management software is used by landlords to collude and raise rental prices, further exacerbating the affordability challenges faced by many residents.

Contention

The bill has generated discourse regarding its implications for both landlords and tenants. Supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary measure to protect renters from inflated prices resulting from collusion among landlords. However, critics may raise concerns about the potential burden this legislation places on property owners who rely on such software tools for operational efficiencies. While aimed at promoting fair competition, the law could also inadvertently lead to increased operational costs for landlords, who may now face additional regulatory scrutiny.