At OPTECH 2025, the Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center (RETTC) unveiled its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Framework for rental housing and technology partners, presenting a practical roadmap for responsible AI adoption.
The framework was developed by RETTC’s AI Working Group, a coalition of housing providers and technology innovators committed to safeguarding consumers and ensuring compliance with federal and local laws, including the Fair Housing Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Designed as a starting point for both property operators and third-party tech vendors, the framework outlines eight foundational steps to guide policy, governance, and deployment decisions across the renter journey:
- Establish an organizational philosophy on AI use and oversight.
- Promote fairness and consumer protection, aligning with anti-discrimination and credit laws.
- Uphold transparency and explainability, clarifying how AI influences key decisions.
- Protect privacy and data integrity, following privacy laws and data minimization principles.
- Maintain outcome-based accountability and human involvement, with escalation channels for complaints and ongoing evaluation.
- Promote positive renter experiences and outcomes, focusing on affordability, access and inclusive engagement.
- Strive for innovation with responsibility, ensuring beneficial use without compromising trust.
- Encourage third-party accountability and due diligence, requesting transparency from vendors and data sources.
The framework also centers on five guiding principles—fairness, transparency, privacy, people-centered governance, and accountability—that RETTC says should anchor AI deployments across the rental-housing sector. The document stresses that these principles help strengthen trust, protect residents, and support sustainable housing outcomes.
“A roadmap for housing providers and their technology partners,” said RETTC’s leader, Kevin Donnelly, highlighting the framework’s role as a bridge between innovation and consumer protections. Valerie M. Sargent, a multifamily speaker and Broadband Communities correspondent, noted that the guide is intended to inform ongoing dialogue among operators, policymakers, and the public.
