Housing providers and their technology partners are continuously modernizing the rental experience—including how pricing is communicated—because clarity builds confidence. Clear pricing isn’t just good communication; it’s smart operations. At the Real Estate Technology & Transformation Center (RETTC), we view transparency as a practical, pro-consumer solution that strengthens trust, supports affordability and promotes long-term market stability—all while meeting the expectations of today’s renters in an increasingly digital marketplace.
And yet pricing models vary. To drive greater rent transparency, housing providers and their technology partners are adopting technology-enabled solutions that present pricing information in a straightforward, standardized and accessible way—like the Multifamily Information and Transactions Standards, known as MITS. MITS provides a common technical framework for sharing data among housing providers. In simple terms, it establishes a shared “language” that allows rental housing systems to communicate consistently across platforms. Renters want clarity. Operators want consistency. The technology is ready to deliver both.
The latest version, MITS 5.0, significantly improves how rent and fees are transmitted and displayed on marketing channels and in calculators. This important update was informed by input from a MITS Working Group comprised of representatives of rental housing firms of all types (affordable, conventional, senior, student, etc.) and portfolio sizes along with rental housing technology partners and internet listing service providers. The updated MITS model was also shaped by a robust public comment process and was developed in partnership with OSCRE International, an independent, non-profit corporate member organization focused on the development and implementation of software-agnostic real estate data standards and Cherre, a leading real estate data management and intelligence platform. The MITS 5.0 data model was published in January 2025 and is open to the public.
MITS allows pricing details to be shown clearly and consistently across channels, reducing the risk of mismatched or incomplete information. That alignment benefits renters, housing providers and technology partners alike, and many have already adopted MITS 5.0.
Even with this progress, some policymakers continue to propose new rules that dictate how fees must be disclosed, or which fees may be charged. These proposals often assume that regulation can deliver transparency without cost. In practice, housing operations are complex, and new requirements frequently add administrative burdens, slow leasing processes, and divert resources away from both technology investments and resident services.
Over time, these complexities and costs are often absorbed into higher rents for consumers. A more effective approach builds on what is already working. The MITS model shows we can deliver – and are delivering – on transparency for renters. Policymakers can support the continued adoption of MITS, encourage collaboration with housing providers, and avoid overlapping or conflicting rules that reduce clarity and choice. Technology-driven standards offer a way to improve transparency while preserving affordability and housing supply. RETTC remains committed to advancing these solutions and supporting efforts that demonstrate how transparency and affordability can advance.
View the RETTC MITS page to learn more.