DOJ Says Kentucky Real Estate Commission Policies
Restrict Competition, Increase Consumer Costs
The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division filed a lawsuit against the Kentucky Real Estate Commission for limiting competition among real estate brokers. DOJ said that the Commission's regulations restrict competition and cause consumers to pay higher prices for certain real estate services:
...the Kentucky Real Estate Commission regulations prohibit real estate brokers from competing by, for example, offering cash rebates or refunds, or a free home inspection, the DOJ said in its court filing. Nor can they compete by taking a customer out to dinner or donating money to a charity of the customer's choice. The Department's suit seeks to restore this beneficial competition. As aptly put by another broker quoted in the complaint, striking down these regulations and permitting "rebates and inducements will increase competition and give consumers more choices in service."
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