Apartment Business Update
A quarterly newsletter covering investment trends in the apartment industry.
Smarter Spending with AI: From Cost Control to Performance Insight
By Andrew Ruhland |
As multifamily operators face increasing pressure to do more with less, spending management is evolving beyond basic cost control into a strategic driver of operational performance.
Smarter by Des-AI-gn: Using AI for Better Decision-Making
By Andrew Ruhland |
AI is rapidly changing how multifamily housing organizations operate for the better, but technology alone is not enough. At NAA's 2026 Apartmentalize session, "Smarter by Des-AI-gn: Using AI for Better Decision-Making," panelists emphasized that successful AI adoption starts with a strong data…
The KPI Graveyard: What Metrics Won’t Last the Decade
By Paul Willis |
Lag and lead indicators tell two different stories; know the difference.
Reducing Cost, Risk and Friction: NAA’s Impact on Apartment Operations
The operational impact of the National Apartment Association (NAA) is evident where it matters most: Supporting rental housing operators as they navigate an increasingly complex and cost-intensive environment.
Generating operational successes begins with advocacy. By challenging burdensome…
Housing Providers Seek Deal With DOJ for Pandemic Losses Tied to CDC Moratorium
By Mark Poist |
The U.S. Department of Justice has officially abandoned its attempt to overturn the industry’s landmark victory in Darby Development, Inc. v. United States, solidifying a key ruling against the pandemic-era eviction moratorium’s Fifth Amendment violation. Now, more than 1,500 property owners are pursuing over $1 billion in settlement discussions, while additional rental housing owners can still join the case through August 2026.
Federal Regulatory Changes Seek to Limit Disparate Impact Liability: What Housing Providers Should Expect in 2026
By Lynn E. Calkins and Christine Walz |
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order (EO), “Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy,” mandating the cessation of federal enforcement of the “disparate impact” theory of liability. This EO initiated a series of administrative actions that, when taken…
HUD Proposes Eliminating Disparate Impact Regulations
By Ben Harrold |
On January 14, 2026, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a proposed rule that would substantially change the agency’s interpretation of disparate impact liability under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA).
Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order 14281 titled…
$16 Billion Problem: Solutions for Tackling Fraud and Eviction Risk
By Andrew Ruhland |
As technology continues to evolve, multifamily operators are embracing forward-thinking solutions that offer significant benefits. Unfortunately, bad actors are growing more sophisticated as well—and that has led to a rise in fraud across the industry. At the 2025 Apartmentalize session, "$16…
A Conversation on Rental Housing Property Insurance
Rising rental housing insurance costs and the challenges in securing coverage are causes for concern for the multifamily housing industry, and there is much to be learned from a featured panel of distinguished experts who share their experiences and expertise when addressing these issues.…
HUD Updates Violence Against Women Act Forms
By Briana Anderson |
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has updated the Notice of Occupancy Rights (Form 5380) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Certification of Domestic Violence (Form 5382). The forms now expire on January 31, 2028. Background The Violence Against Women Act (…