Bellingham could be latest WA city to ban rent-pricing software

The initiative to ban algorithmic rental pricing software is aimed at companies that analyze public and private market data to suggest rental prices to landlords.

By: Nate Sanford

Outlets: KNKX

Published: July 20, 2026

Words: 413

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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Organizers in Bellingham have collected enough signatures for a new initiative to ban algorithmic rental pricing software.

The initiative is aimed at software companies that analyze public and private market data to suggest rental prices to landlords. Critics argue that the tools enable a form of collusion and price-fixing and allow landlords to skirt antitrust laws.

“This is not how we should be using this technology,” said Cleveland Harris, the chair of Community First Whatcom, the …

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