North Carolina
‘Absolutely egregious’: North Carolina attorney general sues landlords over alleged rent raising collusion
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – North Carolina’s attorney general says six landlords operating in the state – including two with properties in southeast North Carolina – are colluding together to illegally raise rent prices.
On Tuesday, Jeff Jackson filed a lawsuit alongside nine other states, targeting the landlords and RealPage, a software company that the AG said uses artificial intelligence software to tell companies the rent they should be charging.
“It’s impacting tens of thousands of people across the state, at least 70,000 people, who are renting apartments,” Jackson told WECT Wednesday.
The lawsuit mentions Greystar and Willow Brook, two companies with a presence in the Cape Fear. Greystar has 12 properties in the region across New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. Among them are The Range On Oleander, Element Barclay and City Block. Willow Bridge oversees two complexes: Bellingham Park and Crosswinds Apartments, both in Wilmington.
Comment requests for RealPage and Willow Brook were both not returned.
A Greystar corporate spokesperson referred WECT to the following statement: “We are disappointed that the DOJ added us and other operators to their lawsuit against RealPage. Greystar has and will conduct its business with the utmost integrity. At no time did Greystar engage in any anti-competitive practices. We will vigorously defend ourselves in this lawsuit.”
What the companies are allegedly doing digitally would be illegal if it was done in-person, Jackson said.
“What they can do, in effect, is collude when it comes to prices,” he said. “And some have given quotes that are absolutely egregious.”
Elizabeth Wilson, who rents at The Range, said she’s concerned about already-high rent prices in the region, and how the companies’ alleged behavior can impact that.
“We have a 2-year-old son, and to think that if they raise the rent, you get kicked out, what do you do? And then before you know it, you’re scrambling and you’re living with your parents, and that’s scary. Who wants to do that” she said.
The lawsuit is built on a previous one filed by Jackson’s predecessor, Josh Stein, back in August, which alleged RealPage was raising rent prices illegally. Jackson believes the suit can continue to grow, with North Carolina at the center of it.
“Our primary goal is to stop illegal behavior that is raising rents for thousands of North Carolinians, and I think we can accomplish that,” he said.
Copyright 2025 WECT. All rights reserved.
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
Follow
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near Howard Gap Road in Hendersonville on Friday evening.
The fire is across the street from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and near the Highlands Square Shopping Center.
Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette said crews are fighting “blowdown from Helene.”
NEW WILDFIRES IGNITE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST AMID WORSENING DROUGHT
Around 11 p.m., the fire appears larger than it did an hour ago because crews are backburning, which refers to using fire to help control the wildfire.
Dana Fire Department Chief Jimmy Womack said that what was a 3-acre fire an hour ago will be an 8-acre fire due to back burning. He said the fire is 80% contained.
Womack said the cause of the fire is unknown, but one of the conditions contributing to the blaze is the Helene blowdown.
“There’s a lot of blowdown in these woods behind us. That’s what creates most of the problem,” said Womack.
Womack said there has been no property damage and no injuries have been reported for this fire in the woods that 24 personnel are fighting. They got the call to arrive at 6:05 p.m.
LOCAL NEWS
Dana Fire and Rescue and Henderson County Fire Department are supporting the U.S. Forest Service with this fire.
Glen said no structures are threatened at this time and Howard Gap Road is closed.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)
This story will be updated as new information is discovered.
-
Milwaukee, WI5 minutes agoMilwaukee boy critically missing, last seen near Teutonia and Kiley
-
Atlanta, GA12 minutes agoNew York hosts Atlanta with 1-0 series lead
-
Minneapolis, MN18 minutes agoFatal Minneapolis crash sentencing: Teniki Steward sentenced to more than 12 years
-
Indianapolis, IN24 minutes agoPirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win
-
Pittsburg, PA30 minutes agoMcCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (Final Version)
-
Augusta, GA36 minutes agoAugusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day
-
Washington, D.C42 minutes agoStorm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week
-
Cleveland, OH48 minutes agoWinners and Losers From Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1