It’s expensive to rent, it’s a pain to find an apartment, and many renters rely on a few online services to find open homes.
The FTC says Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to get out of part of the rental-listing business, cutting competition between two platforms that connect landlords with renters. Zillow and Redfin say their partnership widens the distribution of listings and improves the service.
Before trial, the FTC asked the court to establish key parts of its case, such as the relevant markets and an initial presumption of competitive harm. The judge would not.
Did the government fail the consumers? “Not yet.
In this episode, we talk about why the FTC wanted a quick edge, why the court said no, how it impacts renters and landlords, and what the bench trial on August 24, 2026, will decide.
Read the full article and graphic analysis:
The FTC Tried to Win Part of the Zillow–Redfin case early.
Housing is already expensive. Searching for an apartment can be frustrating. And many renters begin that search on a small number of large online platforms.
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