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SF 1036

Landlords prohibition from using coordinating services to set prices, supply levels, and lease terms

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Boldon and 2 co-sponsors

Minnesota SF 1036 bars landlords from using coordinating services to jointly set rental prices, supply, and lease terms to increase housing affordability and reduce suspected market manipulation.

Author added Boldon
#consumerprotection #housingandhousingfinanceagency #landlordsandtenants
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 1036

Legislative bill overview

SF 1036 prohibits landlords from using coordinating services or platforms to collectively set rental prices, supply levels, and lease terms. The bill targets algorithmic pricing tools and information-sharing services that enable landlords to align their rental strategies, treating such coordination as potentially anti-competitive conduct.

Why is this important

Rental markets in many Minnesota cities face affordability crises, with advocates arguing that coordinated pricing practices artificially inflate rents beyond market fundamentals. This bill addresses concerns that landlords use third-party services to suppress competition and maintain higher rents than would occur in a truly competitive market, directly affecting renters' housing costs and availability.

Potential points of contention

  • Business impact vs. market dynamics: Landlords and property management companies argue they use data analytics legitimately for business decisions, and distinguishing between prohibited coordination and lawful independent pricing decisions is legally murky
  • Enforcement and definition challenges: The bill must clearly define what constitutes illegal "coordinating services"—does using the same commercial pricing software cross the line, or only explicit information-sharing agreements?
  • Antitrust jurisdiction questions: Federal antitrust law already addresses price-fixing; critics question whether state-level legislation duplicates existing frameworks or creates conflicts with federal enforcement priorities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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