RealPage rent collusion scandal spreads to Maryland

Word of landlords allegedly using RealPage software to collude with competitors to fix rent prices elsewhere in the region led many to wonder if the gimmick had any role in Montgomery County's skyrocketing apartment rents. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown now suggests it does, and has filed suit against the firm and several prominent landlords. Despite the openings of many new apartment buildings across the county, rents have only continued to rise amidst all of the new "competition." This violates the basic laws of supply and demand, and Brown says the Realpage software gave landlords a loophole to make collusion possible, by having the company fix the rents across the board.

“RealPage and the named landlords worked together to raise the cost of their apartments, making it hard for Maryland renters to put a roof over their heads,” Brown said in a statement. “Our Office is committed to holding landlords accountable so Marylanders can afford their rent.”

The firms Brown is accusing of using RealPage for the purpose of "colluding to illegally raise rents" for Maryland apartment dwellers are Morgan Properties Management Company, LLC; Bozzuto Management Company; Greystar Management Services, LLC; AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; UDR, Inc.; and Highmark Residential, LLC. Brown is seeking monetary damages for renters who were allegedly gouged by the use of RealPage, monetary damages for the State of Maryland, cessation of the alleged use of RealPage to fix apartment rents, and the appointment of a corporate monitor to ensure compliance by RealPage and the accused firms.

Rockville delivery driver declares, "I hate the Pope," before assaulting resident

A Rockville delivery driver allegedly made a special delivery of anti-Catholic hate and violence at an apartment building on December 8, 2024. The driver entered a residential building in the 200 block of Monroe Street at 2:01 PM that afternoon. Upon seeing a photograph of the Pope, he allegedly vandalized the photo, and declared, "I hate the Pope." The driver then shoved a cart into a resident of the building, Rockville City police say.

Police describe the suspect as a Black male of 20 to 29 years of age, 6'3" in height, and with an athletic build. He was wearing a black "hair cap," black headphones, a short-sleeved vest, black pants, and light-colored shoes with dark soles. If you can identify the delivery driver, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Rockville apartment building wins Jack Kemp Award for Excellence

Rockville's newest apartment building has won the 2024 Jack Kemp Award for Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Terwilliger Center for Housing. The honor, which recognizes "exemplary developments that demonstrate creativity in expanding housing opportunities" for mixed-income residents, was presented to The Laureate at 8005 Gramercy Boulevard during ULI's Fall Meeting in Las Vegas. The Laureate was jointly developed by Bethesda-based EYA, Bozzuto, and the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County.

The Laureate was the first development to utilize Montgomery County's new Housing Production Fund as a source of financing. This is the third Jack Kemp Award won by EYA. The award is named for former Republican congressman and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp, and was established in 2008. As HUD secretary during the administration of President George H.W. Bush, Kemp sought to increase rent subsidies for low-income Americans, as well as to expand opportunities for home ownership among residents of public housing. He also believed in public-private partnerships in furthering these and other economic goals.

Jack Kemp

"EYA is committed to creating mixed-income housing through innovative public-private partnerships," EYA President and CEO McLean Quinn said in a statement. "The Laureate is an example of how builders can partner with public agencies to address the affordable housing shortage across the country and we are incredibly proud of the design, amenities, and lifestyle our partnership has infused into The Laureate. Innovation, commitment to quality affordable housing and good partnership won this award."

The Laureate is the latest addition to the Westside at Shady Grove development. 25% of its 268 units are designated as moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs) for residents earning 50% of the area median income (AMI), and an additional 5% are designated as workforce units for residents earning 65% AMI. The developers designed these units to be indistinguishable from the market rate units, incorporating the same high-quality features and finishes as the more-expensive apartments, and designated all 3-bedroom units to be income-restricted. Former Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton had pressed developers to provide affordable 3-bedroom units for families during her time in office.

Photos 1, 2 & 4 courtesy Bozzuto

Sexual assault in Rockville apartment corridor

Rockville City police responded to a report of a sexual assault at an apartment complex on October 14, 2024. A resident of an apartment building in the 500 block of Hungerford Drive was moving items down a hallway at 9:05 AM, police say, when an unknown suspect suddenly groped her. The victim yelled, and the suspect ran away. Police have not provided a description of the suspect as of this writing.

Suspect detained in Rockville armed robbery

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Rockville Wednesday night, July 17, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 12500 block of Village Square Terrace at 9:50 PM Wednesday. @DCNewsLive on Twitter reported that a vehicle was later pulled over by police on Old Georgetown Road at the interchange with I-495 in Bethesda. At least one person in that vehicle was detained in relation to the armed robbery.

Construction update on new Wegmans-anchored development in Rockville (Photos)

The opening of the new Wegmans grocery store at B.F. Saul's Twinbrook Quarter development on Rockville Pike at Halpine Road won't take place until sometime next year. But The Milton apartments upstairs in the development's Phase 1 building are now expected to welcome their first residents this fall. The leasing office is now open, and a website for The Milton is now active. Construction workers are finishing the upper level residential interiors, and completing punch lists of required items to meet the requirements for approval by code inspectors from the City of Rockville.

Halpine Road has been resurfaced to eliminate any construction-related scars or damage, with new medians and landscaping. Burial of fiber optic cables will now permit the sidewalks and tree planting to be completed. Speaking of sidewalks, a new multi-use path along Rockville Pike in front of the property is now visible in the photos below. In addition to the new traffic signals at Rockville Pike and newly-created Festival Street, traffic signals will also be installed at the intersection of Halpine and Chapman Avenue. B.F. Saul reports that, despite the recent drought, steady sun and the occasional rain shower have plantings in the central courtyard already growing.

The future Wegmans

Assault at Rockville apartment building

Rockville City police were called to investigate an assault at an apartment building on Saturday night, July 13, 2024. The assault was reported in the 500 block of Monroe Street at 8:20 PM. It took place in the parking lot of the apartments.

Assault at Rockville apartment complex

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at an apartment complex in the Upper Rock area Tuesday morning, May 7, 2024. The assault was reported at an apartment building in the unit block of Upper Rock Circle at 8:30 AM. Officers were called to the building's parking garage.

Suspect arrested in Rockville Pike apartment tower burglary

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at the North Bethesda Market apartment tower at 11418 Rockville Pike, in the early morning hours of March 28, 2024. The responding officer found no evidence of forced entry, but property was allegedly stolen from the building. Malik Gillispie, 28, of no fixed address, was observed and arrested at the scene. He has been charged with 2nd-degree burglary, failure to identify himself, and using a false identity to avoid prosecution.

Robbery at knifepoint at Rockville apartment building

Rockville City police responded to a report of an armed robbery at an apartment complex early Tuesday morning, March 26, 2024. The victim reported being held up at knifepoint at an apartment building in the 100 block of E. Argyle Street at 2:41 AM Tuesday. That is a garden apartment complex a few blocks south of the Rockville Town Center area.

Rockville apartment residents brawl with food delivery driver after "inappropriate question"

A food delivery app driver provoked a fight in the lobby of a customer's Rockville apartment building by asking the customer an "inappropriate question," Rockville City police say. The customer and another resident of the building in the 200 block of Congressional Lane then confronted the driver. Police were called after a physical brawl among the three ensued in the lobby of the building. The fight occurred at 10:45 PM on March 9, 2024.

Car crashes into Rockville apartment building

A driver left the roadway in the 700 block of Monroe Street in Rockville yesterday, December 31, 2023, crashing their vehicle into a tree and an apartment building. The accident occurred at 3:30 PM at the Parkside Landing apartments off of Cabin John Parkway. No one was injured, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer. 

A City of Rockville building inspector was notified to assess any structural damage to the apartment building. The cause of the accident has not yet been announced by authorities.

Car stolen from Rockville apartment building

Rockville City police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at an apartment building near the Twinbrook Metro station on November 27, 2023. A Hyundai Sonata was stolen from the parking garage at The Terano apartments at 5720 Fishers Lane. The car is believed to have taken sometime between 7:45 AM and 6:00 PM. 

Hyundai Sonatas are among the most-stolen vehicles in America, due to the company's failure to install up-to-date anti-theft technology on several models. Hyundai has faced legal action by jurisdictions, and class-action lawsuits, over a theft rampage fueled by TikTok videos showing how easy it is to steal Hyundai vehicles.

Assault in Rockville apartment complex parking lot

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at an apartment complex near Rockville High School early Saturday morning, November 4, 2023. The assault was reported in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 14000 block of Cove Lane at 12:40 AM Saturday. That appears to be the Woods Edge Apartments.

Fire at the Grand apartments in White Flint

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded to a report of a fire at the Grand apartments at 5801 Nicholson Lane in the White Flint area last night just after 7:00 PM. The fire was located in a dumpster in the basement trash room of the 15-story high-rise. MCFRS Pete Piringer reported that the fire was extinguished without spreading any further. 

Smoke from the fire did rise to some of the floors above, and some residents required assistance from firefighters. But there were no injuries, Piringer said, and no residents have been displaced. However, a lingering odor of smoke shortly after midnight this morning led a resident to call 911. MCFRS personnel responded, but found no evidence of fire.

Intruder trashes Rockville apartment

An intruder broke into a Rockville apartment on the morning of August 20, 2023, trashed the place, and then fled. Rockville City police report that the intruder forced entry to an apartment in the 300 block of N. Van Buren Street near Rockville Town Center sometime between 7:00 AM and 9:25 AM that morning. The suspect "strew items about," police say, and damaged property. But police did not indicate that any items were actually stolen from the apartment. If you have any information about this incident or suspect, call Rockville police at 240-314-8900.

Rockville apartment burglarized

Rockville City police responded to a report of break-in at an apartment near Rockville Town Center Sunday morning, August 20, 2023. The burglary was reported at an apartment unit in the 300 block of North Van Buren Street. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry into the apartment.

Rockville resident kidnapped at gunpoint, stabbed, forced to allow robbers to loot his apartment

A Rockville resident was kidnapped at gunpoint in his apartment building garage, stabbed, bound with zip ties, and forced to lead his hooded and masked captors upstairs to his home, Montgomery County police said this morning. Police were called to the building on Key West Avenue at 1:25 AM on Monday, July 10, 2023 for a reported home invasion robbery. They found the adult male victim suffering from serious injuries, and he was transported to a local hospital.

The victim has told detectives that six Black males in their twenties approached him after he exited his vehicle in the parking garage of his apartment building. They displayed handguns, and informed the victim that this was a robbery. The suspects then stabbed and assaulted the victim, and used zip ties to bind his hands behind his back. He was forced into the suspect's vehicle, where they demanded he accompany them up to his apartment.

After the victim was led upstairs to his apartment by the suspects, the men took a safe holding an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry, and fled the scene. Family members of the victim in the apartment were not harmed, police said. 

Detectives have released surveillance video from the apartment building's elevator, and from the victim's apartment. One of the suspects is described by police as a Black male, in his twenties, with curly hair, medium build and armed with a handgun. He was wearing a black ski mask and black clothing. Police have not given a more detailed description of the other five suspects.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this crime or the suspects involved to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. Callers may remain anonymous. 

  

Car stolen from Rockville apartment complex

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from an apartment complex in the Twinbrook area of Rockville. The vehicle was stolen from the parking lot of a complex in the 13100 block of Twinbrook Parkway. That appears to be the Halpine View apartments. It is believed the vehicle was stolen sometime between 10:00 PM on June 11 and 4:23 AM on June 12, 2023.

Car stolen from Rockville apartment building garage

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle from the parking garage of an apartment building in Rockville that was reported yesterday, June 4, 2023. The vehicle was parked in a residential garage in the 1800 block of Chapman Avenue. It is believed it was stolen sometime between 11:00 AM on Saturday and 8:00 AM yesterday.