Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis panel to consider rent algorithm ban
Only a few months after the ordinance was introduced, the Minneapolis Business, Housing and Zoning Committee will take up discussion over a policy that would ban the use of algorithms for calculating rents with non-public data.
The ordinance was introduced by Ward 2 Council Member Robin Wonsley, who said in a December interview that the policy takes aim at companies like RealPage, which collects and aggregates data provided by landlords who contract with their service and in turn provide rent recommendations.
The BHZ Committee will hold a public hearing for the policy at its Thursday, March 20, meeting, according to its agenda.
According to the text, if passed by the larger City Council, the ordinance would go into effect March 1, 2026.
The move by Wonsley comes two years after ProPublica published an investigation about the use of rent-setting software and how it affected renters.