The Santa Ana City Council voted to take a possibly unconstituional step to protect renters with a new ordinance banning rent-setting computer software that can artificially inflate rents.
The ordinance, approved on Tuesday, Feb. 17, for a first reading and set for a final vote on March 3, prohibits the sale, licensing, provision and use of certain algorithmic rent-setting software for residential rental properties. It addresses the growing use of algorithmic devices that set rental rates in the private housing market using nonpublic competitor data, including real-time rents, lease renewals and occupancy levels.
“This ordinance is about protecting renters and keeping our housing market fair,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “By prohibiting the sale and use of these rent-setting systems, we’re standing up for working families, promoting accountability, and ensuring our housing market works for residents — not just profit margins.”…