Montgomery County Debates Bill to Ban Rent-Setting Algorithms

Housing industry and tenant advocates clash over proposed legislation

Mar. 12, 2026 at 2:08am

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Montgomery County, Maryland is considering a bill proposed by Councilmember Will Jawando that would ban the use of algorithms to set rental prices in the county. The proposal has sparked debate, with housing industry representatives and tenant advocates voicing their opinions at a public hearing on the "Anti-Algorithmic Price Gouging Act."

Why it matters

The use of rent-setting algorithms by landlords and property management companies has become a controversial issue, with concerns that they can lead to unfair and unaffordable rent hikes, especially for low-income tenants. This proposed legislation aims to address those concerns, but faces pushback from the housing industry who argue the algorithms provide valuable pricing insights.

The details

The "Anti-Algorithmic Price Gouging Act" would prohibit landlords and property managers in Montgomery County from using algorithms to determine rental rates. Twenty people spoke at the public hearing, with housing industry representatives arguing the algorithms provide important data-driven insights, while tenant advocates claimed the algorithms enable unfair and discriminatory rent increases.

  • The public hearing on the proposed bill took place on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.

The players

Will Jawando

A Montgomery County Councilmember who proposed the "Anti-Algorithmic Price Gouging Act" to ban the use of rent-setting algorithms.

Montgomery County

The local government in Montgomery County, Maryland that is considering the proposed legislation to prohibit landlords from using algorithms to set rental rates.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow algorithms to price out low-income families from their homes.”

— Tenant Advocate

“These algorithms provide valuable data and insights that help us price units fairly.”

— Housing Industry Representative

What’s next

The Montgomery County Council will vote on the proposed "Anti-Algorithmic Price Gouging Act" in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the tension between using technology to optimize rental pricing and ensuring housing remains affordable, especially for low-income residents. The outcome of this legislation could set an important precedent for other local governments grappling with the impacts of rent-setting algorithms.