The U.S. Justice Department is suing six major landlords. Here’s why

Half of American renters spent more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities in 2022.

The U.S. Justice Department is suing several large landlords for allegedly coordinating to keep Americans’ rents high by using both an algorithm to help set rents and privately sharing sensitive information with their competitors to boost profits.

The lawsuit arrives as U.S. renters continue to struggle under a merciless housing market, with incomes failing to keep up with rent increases.