Court clears the way for Zillow to present its full case at trial; hearing with FTC begins next month

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia declined the Federal Trade Commission's request to decide decide on its lawsuit against Zillow and Redfin before trial. The court's decision means Zillow will have the full opportunity it has sought to present its evidence - and trial will proceed as scheduled beginning Aug. 24.

Zillow issued the following statement:

"The FTC asked the court to partially resolve this case before Zillow has the opportunity to present its full evidence at trial - evidence that will demonstrate the pro-competitive effects of this partnership for renters and housing providers. We are pleased with the court's decision today, and look forward to presenting the full record at trial next month."

What today's ruling means: The FTC sought to narrow the issues for trial before the evidence was heard - asking the court to decide key legal questions in its favor without a full trial record. The court declined. Zillow has consistently maintained that the facts of this case tell a clear story: this partnership has expanded rental inventory, improved results for housing providers, and strengthened competition in the market.

At its core, this case is about a rental listings syndication agreement built to do something straightforward - get more listings in front of more renters. What this means:

• For renters: More listings across more platforms means more options in a market where affordability and supply are already stretched. Zillow and Redfin - including Rent.com and ApartmentGuide.com - continue to compete to deliver the best search experience, driving innovation that benefits consumers.
• For housing providers: List once and reach renters across a broader network. The result has been more efficient marketing, more qualified leads, and moderated price increases among competitors, a sign of stronger competitive dynamics in the rentals advertising market.

Trial begins Aug. 24.