Roughly 10% of renters in Arizona have been impacted by an alleged price-fixing scheme involving over 400 apartment complexes throughout the state—and now, you can find out if your landlord was involved.
Nine property management companies representing an estimated 100,000 rental units in Arizona have been accused by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes of conspiring to create a rent monopoly, working together to raise rates by over 30% over the past two years.
“In the last two years, residential rents in Phoenix and Tucson have risen by at least 30%,” Mayes said in a statement. “In large part because of this conspiracy that stifled fair competition and essentially established a rental monopoly in our state’s two largest metro areas.”
The companies and their associated businesses own rental properties in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, Prescott, and all throughout Maricopa County. According to US Census data, 15% of Maricopa County’s 616,000 renters live in a unit owned by a company named in the lawsuit.
The suit doesn’t go after “mom and pop” landlords, or locals who rent out an extra unit or second home. Companies listed are real estate investment firms like Greystar, which owns over 150 properties in Arizona and boasts a portfolio worth over $76 billion.
Mayes has requested any current or former renters who think they might have been taken advantage of by their landlord or property management company to file a formal consumer complaint. So if rent has gone up an uncomfortable amount, or if excessive fees have been tacked on—like doorstop trash pickup or vague convenience fees—Arizona residents can file a complaint with the state and help strengthen their case.
Complaints can be filed here.
Submissions are confidential, meaning landlords won’t be notified who filed the complaint without the filer’s permission. Information requested includes information on the renter and the landlord, brief details on how the suspected price-gouging took place, and any documentation or evidence of the price-gouging, like rate increase alerts or payment invoices.
The Copper Courier has compiled a list of rental locations owned by the companies named in the suit and has created a map of all 406 properties. Those interested in checking to see if their landlord is part of the suit can use the map below—or click on the direct link here—and search either the name or address of the property using the search function on the top of the map legend.
Not every individual property is listed in the lawsuit, and as such, some apartment complexes may be missing from the map. The Copper Courier will update it as more information becomes available.
Have you lived at one of these properties, or think you’ve been impacted by the alleged rent monopoly? We’d like to talk with you! Send us an email or message us on Instagram or TikTok and let us know how rising rents have impacted your life.
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