FTC settlement forces Redfin to restore listings and staffing after Zillow deal
Redfin has agreed to shut down its own internet listings and exclusively repost Zillow listings in exchange for $100 million and other compensation, according to the FTC. The settlement requires Redfin to reinstate listings and hire staff for the service. This action addresses competition concerns in the rental market.
The FTC’s proposed order, filed in federal court, gives Redfin six months to rebuild its rental listings operation and rehire sufficient staff, with financial penalties for noncompliance. Redfin had cut hundreds of jobs after its February 2025 pact with Zillow, which included a $100 million payment and a nine-year ban on competing in apartment listings. The settlement also resolves lawsuits from five state attorneys general.
Redfin, now owned by Rocket Companies, will keep syndicating Zillow’s listings but can also advertise non-Zillow properties. The company says the deal lets it maintain the Zillow partnership through at least 2030 while launching its own rentals business. The FTC argues the original agreement risked higher prices and fewer choices for multifamily rental advertisers.
This settlement could restore competitive pressure in online rental advertising, potentially benefiting property managers and renters through more listing options and lower ad costs. However, Redfin’s relaunch may face practical hurdles, including rebuilding staff and market share after a year of dormancy. The outcome may signal how regulators treat similar platform partnerships, possibly deterring future deals that suppress competition.