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It’s no secret the political winds have shifted in Washington, and, while policymakers and pundits try to make sense of what is to come over the next several years, one constant remains: Technology policy will continue to be a high priority. With technology profoundly shaping consumers’ lives and the economy, the stakes are particularly high for rental housing. Technology plays a critical role at every level—from enterprise operations to site management—while also enabling positive resident experiences.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has captured the attention of policymakers, consumers, and the media, sparking discussions about its opportunities and challenges. At the newly launched Real Estate Technology & Transformation Center (RETTC), we believe innovation in AI can coexist with strong safeguards and consumer protections. Further efforts to regulate AI should be balanced and informed by an understanding of its benefits for both consumers and the economy.

For RETTC, AI represents a transformative opportunity to address longstanding housing challenges. From innovating construction techniques to accelerating the development of much-needed housing supply and reducing operational costs, AI has the potential to improve housing affordability and reshape the rental landscape. We are deeply hopeful about how AI will drive change in the years ahead.

Addressing Skepticism and Misconceptions

Despite AI’s promise, skepticism about its role in rental housing persists. In Washington and across many state capitals, proposals are being put forward that misunderstand the underlying technologies they’re trying to regulate. RETTC is committed to changing this narrative, demonstrating that real estate technology is a force for good, and advocating for its responsible use rather than overregulation.

Building Trust and Transparency

For technology to reach its potential, it must be trusted. This is where RETTC sees an opportunity to educate policymakers, the press, and renters about why and how technology is being deployed—often in response to resident demand.

In fact, one of RETTC’s first industry-facing goals was to unite rental housing providers and technology providers to seek common ground and modernize transparency in the rental housing leasing process to benefit America’s renters by updating the widely used MITS Data Models—that are the backbone of many property management and property listing platforms—to support transparency in communicating the total cost of renting a home, including fees, to prospective and current residents.

By modernizing the data model, the latest update empowers rental housing providers to transparently showcase all fees, charges, and cost-related information associated with renting, giving renters a clearer picture of total costs upfront.

A Vision for the Future

In the end, we all want to create a better, more trusting experience for residents. That’s why regardless of the technology or issue being debated, RETTC is working to empower transparency and knowledge. It’s the key to better understanding by renters, policymakers, and the broader public about the power and promise of technology in addressing our nation’s long-term housing challenges.