Zillow Accused of Hiding Paid Listings on StreetEasy

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Zillow charged real estate agents for listings on StreetEasy but then hid those listings while continuing to collect fees.

Consumers Affected: Real estate agents and brokers who paid to list properties on Zillow's StreetEasy platform.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle

Zillow is facing claims that it charged real estate agents and brokers a daily fee to list properties on its StreetEasy platform—only to mask or remove those listings while continuing to collect payments. 

A new lawsuit, filed by Queens-based real estate firm Dakis Group, LLC, and its managing broker, George T. Spyridakis, alleges that Zillow unfairly profited by displaying only the most recent listing for a rental while still charging all other agents who had paid to advertise the same property.

The lawsuit argues that this deceptive practice cost real estate professionals money and potential clients while allowing Zillow to collect multiple daily fees for a single listing. Dakis Group, which has listed more than 250 properties on StreetEasy, claims it has repeatedly fallen victim to the scheme, losing both visibility and business opportunities.

Zillow Accused of Hiding Paid Real Estate Listings on StreetEasy

Spyridakis and his company allege that they agreed to pay Zillow’s $7-per-day listing fee under the assumption that their properties would remain visible on StreetEasy. However, they say Zillow breached this agreement by hiding their listings without notifying them, all while continuing to charge the daily rate.

According to the lawsuit, when multiple brokers listed the same property, only the most recent post would remain visible—effectively erasing earlier listings while still billing those agents. The plaintiffs argue this practice not only cost them thousands in wasted fees but also undermined their ability to attract renters and sell properties. 

The lawsuit accuses Zillow of unjust enrichment, claiming the company knowingly collected payments for services it failed to provide. Plaintiffs argue that Zillow misrepresented its platform’s listing process and actively concealed the fact that listings could be hidden without warning.

The complaint also asserts that Zillow’s practices unfairly benefited the company by allowing it to rake in multiple fees for the same property—without delivering equal exposure to all paying customers. The plaintiffs argue that Zillow’s failure to notify affected agents or provide refunds demonstrates a pattern of deceptive business practices.

Zillow Faces Other Lawsuits and Legal Challenges

This isn’t the first time Zillow has found itself in legal trouble. The real estate giant has been hit with multiple lawsuits in recent years, including a 2023 case alleging it sent unsolicited telemarketing texts and calls to consumers on do-not-call lists. That same year, Zillow agreed to pay $15 million to settle claims that it misled investors about a federal investigation into a controversial co-marketing program for lenders and real estate agents.

Zillow has also taken legal action of its own. In 2024, the company settled a lawsuit accusing home-listing services of anti-competitive behavior that allegedly stifled innovation in property scheduling tools.

It is also far from the company facing scrutiny over its fee practices. In recent weeks lawsuits have been filed against floral retailer 1-800-Flowers over claims that its Celebrations Passport membership program automatically enrolled customers in renewals without clear consent. Similarly, Peek Travel, Inc.—a ticketing platform used by attractions like the Museum of Ice Cream—faces allegations that it tacks on hidden fees at checkout in violation of state consumer protection laws.

In his lawsuit against Zillow, Spyridakis and his company want to represent anyone who paid Zillow’s listing fees for StreetEasy, only to have their properties removed from public view while still being charged. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Dakis Group, LLC, et al. v. Zillow, Inc.
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00270-DWC 
• Court: U.S. District Court Western District of Washington At Seattle

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Kira M. Rubel (The Harbor Law Group)
• Scott D. Owens (Scott D. Owens, P.A.)

Have you used Zillow's StreetEasy platform to list properties? Share your experience in the comments below.