A month after a report argued that rental technology company RealPage was driving up rents and engaging in anticompetitive practices, a growing chorus of lawmakers have criticised the company and called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and other regulators to investigate.

Lawmakers have ultimately sent at least three different letters to federal authorities over the situation. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown sent the first letter on Nov. 1 to the Federal Trade Commission. The letter mention’s RealPage’s YieldStar software, and notes that the technology may be allowing for “anticompetitive and potentially unlawful collusion.”

Days later, on Nov. 4, Senators Amy Klobuchar, Dick Durbin and Corey Booker sent a similar letter to the DOJ. That letter alludes to (but doesn’t mention by name) the YieldStar software, saying the the technology “analyzes non-public data” and ultimately may “induce landlords to charge the rents recommended by the algorithm, putting upward pressure on prices and decreasing the availability of affordable apartments.”

“We are concerned that the use of this rate setting software essentially amounts to a cartel to artificially inflate rental rates in multifamily residential buildings,” the letter continues. “In addition, we are concerned about potential anticompetitive coordination taking place through the RealPage User Group.”

Finally last week, 17 U.S. House Representatives sent a letter to both the DOJ and the FTC asking for an investigation into RealPage.

Between all three letters, a total of 21 lawmakers — all Democrats — have asked for federal authorities to look into the situation.

Inman has reached out to RealPage and will update this story with any comment the company provides.

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