Class Action Lawsuit Investigation: Is a Price-Fixing Scheme Causing High Rents?

If you rent in a building owned by any of the property managers listed below and feel like you’re paying too much to live there, attorneys want to hear your story:

They’re investigating whether a price-fixing scheme is causing residents to overpay for rent and whether a class action lawsuit could help put an end to any illegal activity that’s uncovered.

What Is Price Fixing?

Price fixing occurs when competitors agree to “fix” the price for a good or service, rather than allowing the market to set the going rate.

For the most part, price fixing leads to limited competition and means consumers end up paying more than they would be in a fair market. Allegations of price fixing have resulted in lawsuits spanning various industries, including pharmaceuticals, education, food production and construction. 

Online Complaints: Rent Increases, Poor Management

A countless number of complaints have been posted online by tenants who’ve had issues with the companies listed above.

In fact, a website called GreystarNightmare.com was launched seemingly in 2015 and is maintained by members of the Seattle Solidarity Network, a volunteer group of working people who believe in standing up for fellow workers’ rights as they pertain to employment and housing matters, as well as “other problems caused by the greed of the rich and powerful.” The site warns consumers to “not rent from Greystar” and features scathing tenant reviews from across the web.

Other online complaints against the companies detail high rents, excessive rent hikes, unreturned security deposits, hidden fees, poor living conditions and more.

A sample of online complaints from tenants can be seen below [sic throughout, emphasis ours]:  

Bad property management practices. Never responds to renters complaints or address concerns. Ongoing repair issues at rental properties they manage, Aya Apartments is one of them. Slum lords and very dishonest. Should be shut [down] and reported to Department of Health for mismanagement.”
— danielle g., Cushman & wakefield review, Yelp.com

They do what scammers do best. Push people out when they can price gouge. They lie on their tenants where they can make the most money.”
— Sara B., Lincoln Property Company Review, Yelp.com

Do not rent [from] these people. They are totally unresponsive, not able to talk to to them. Humongous [rent] increases, no security, have management that is also always unavailable with aggressive lease agent standing guard at all times…”
— pamela h., fpi management review, Yelp.com

If you’re thinking about renting from Greystar, get ready for huge, ‘non-negotiable’ rent increases…They won, we’re moving.”
— scjkicio, greystar review, Reddit.com

The company is looking to raise rents from $100 on up and they try to make it seem like the ‘Market’. Truthfully the market is higher but the market is also the surrounding properties which are amazing and built to new specifications, codes and state of the art buildings and equipment used from the chairs at the pool to the gym equipment being used…No matter how they spin it they can not justify the increases that they are looking for…Would you go to Target and pay Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom's prices?”
— Concerned4Real, Greystar review, ComplaintsBoard.com  

[T]he reason for my complaint are certain charges on my account since moving out. I moved out of **************************** on November 28th, 2022 - when my lease ended. I was charged water allocation, valet trash, trash admin fee, trash, water allocation, sewer allocation, pest control, drainage/stormwater allocation, drainage/stormwater admin fee, water allocation, and city service fee on November 1st of last month, which I believe was for the month of October. November 28th, which I believe was for the month of November when my lease ended. I [w]as also charged these same fees on December 1st. I do not believe I should be charged these fees since I no longer live there for the month. I called the complex to inquire about these charges, was told they could not answer my questions…”
— RMP Living complaint, BBB.org

I paid my full amount of rent for May as stated on my lease that is $1,316.00 and I was not late…I paid a total of $1,537.5 this month. A new woman in the office that goes by the name Gloria, is incorrectly claiming I still have rent to pay. Meanwhile, I paid way over the amount of rent that I owed. She’s claiming my rent almost went to $1,600? On my account, there is no left over ‘rent’ column. So to force us to pay, they are claiming it’s remaining rent and tacked on a $100 late fee. On the eviction notice, it doesn’t even state the remaining rent balance, and only the late charge, since they’re isn’t a remaining RENT balance…”
— Morgan Group, Inc. complaint, BBB.org

I moved to this community may be approx 1.5 years back. Everything was good initially. Renewal time and i get the shock. 17% increase in rent. Technology package rate increased and it is mandatory. Not optional. Now comes the worst. They want to charge me for the community and amenities maintenance. When question, the answer was to point their buidlings so that the community can look better. Seriously?? You want to charge me for your community maintenance? I think i am paying the rent already and you charge that huge rent by advertising all the amenities.”
— Krishna, Camden Property Trust review, TrustPilot.com

My lease was signed in August 16 Zrs management took over my complex end of August. Since then zrs tried to undue my lease to charge me more money per month. I showed them a copy of the lease they finally backed off charges that were on the outside of my lease. I went to the office to tell them that the 3 day notice left on my door scared my daughter with no apology from them. Instead they stated they would only receive emails from me to keep everything positive. Now I owe 35.00. I submitted my payment twice and they are stating that I owe an extra 100.00 when I know that the routing number and account numbers are correct. I am paying the 35.00 today via October 25 via check free pay but I am requiring proof of the supposedly 2 bank errors before I pay 100.00 in non payment fees.!!”
— ZRS Management complaint, BBB.org

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