TechDraft
Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over rental listings
The settlement requires Redfin to re-enter the rental advertising market, resolving a dispute that regulators argued suppressed competition in the US rental sector.
Event
Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over rental listings partnership
Zillow and Redfin have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and five states, resolving a dispute over a 2025 partnership that allegedly reduced competition in the rental-listing market. The agreement requires Redfin to re-enter the rental advertising business and removes restrictions on its ability to compete for property-management customers. While Redfin may continue displaying Zillow’s listings, it can now sell advertising and pursue its own clients without sharing sensitive business information with Zillow. The settlement was announced just before the case was scheduled to go to trial.
2 published stories · artificial-intelligence · source reliability 67%
Background
Why this event matters
Zillow and Redfin have settled a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) antitrust dispute involving five state attorneys general. The case centred on a 2025 partnership where Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to display Zillow’s rental listings instead of competing directly for rental advertisers. Regulators alleged this arrangement reduced competition in the rental-listing market, potentially leading to higher prices for property managers. Redfin, which owns Rent.com and ApartmentGuide.com, had agreed to exit the rental advertising business for up to nine years under the original deal. The settlement, announced just before trial, requires Redfin to re-enter the rental advertising sector and removes restrictions on its ability to compete for property-management clients.
event-brief
Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over rental listings partnership
Zillow and Redfin have settled a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) antitrust dispute involving five state attorneys general. The case centred on a 2025 partnership where Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to display Zillow’s rental listings instead of competing directly for rental adve
Reporting trail
TechCrunch | https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/24/zillow-and-redfin-settle-ftc-antitrust-case | published 2026-08-24T20:45:33.000Z | primary sourceThe Verge | https://www.theverge.com/policy/983864/zillow-redfin-ftc-settlement | published 2026-08-24T17:01:05.000Z | primary source
Fact cards
entity brief
Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over rental listings partnership: key people and institutions
Key entities: Zillow, Redfin, Federal Trade Commission, Rent.com, ApartmentGuide.com.
faq brief
Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over rental listings partnership: key questions
What does the settlement require Redfin to do? Redfin must re-enter the rental advertising business and can now sell advertising and pursue its own clients without sharing sensitive business information with Zillow. Which states were involved in the settlement? The attorneys gene
source brief
Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over rental listings partnership: reporting sources
TechCrunch | https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/24/zillow-and-redfin-settle-ftc-antitrust-case | published 2026-08-24T20:45:33.000Z | primary source | The Verge | https://www.theverge.com/policy/983864/zillow-redfin-ftc-settlement | published 2026-08-24T17:01:05.000Z | primary source
timeline brief
Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over rental listings partnership: timeline
2025: Zillow and Redfin form a partnership where Zillow pays Redfin $100 million to display Zillow’s rental listings rather than competing directly. 2026-08-24: Zillow and Redfin announce a settlement with the FTC and five states (Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Was
Timeline
2025
Zillow and Redfin form a partnership where Zillow pays Redfin $100 million to display Zillow’s rental listings rather than competing directly.
2026-08-24
Zillow and Redfin announce a settlement with the FTC and five states (Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Washington) just before the case was scheduled to go to trial.
FAQ
What does the settlement require Redfin to do?
Redfin must re-enter the rental advertising business and can now sell advertising and pursue its own clients without sharing sensitive business information with Zillow.
Which states were involved in the settlement?
The attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Washington participated in the agreement.
Why did the FTC challenge the partnership?
The FTC alleged that Zillow was paying a major competitor to stop competing, which could result in higher prices and less favourable terms for property managers.
What is the core requirement of the settlement for Redfin?
Redfin must restart its own rental listings advertising business, which it had wound down as part of the original partnership.
Which state attorneys general agreed to the settlement?
Attorneys general from Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Washington agreed to the proposal.
What was the alleged financial arrangement between Zillow and Redfin?
Zillow allegedly paid Redfin approximately $100 million to halt its internet listing service advertising for up to nine years.
How does the settlement affect Zillow’s existing customers?
Zillow must allow its customers to renegotiate their contracts without incurring extra costs or penalties.