What is a ‘sex for rent’ scam?
Typically a ‘sex for rent’ scam is when a male landlord takes advantage of a vulnerable woman who is looking for a room to rent but cannot afford the market rate.
Landlords post online ads on social media and rental websites offering a ‘free’ or discounted room to rent in their home, and are usually opaque about their sexual intentions until applicants respond directly to the advertisement. Many of these ads are specifically aimed at young women, students and migrants.
In 2022, a survey by Generation Rent and Mumsnet found that more than 200,000 UK woman had been exploited by ‘sex for rent’ predatory landlords. In 2018, a poll by YouGov on behalf of housing charity Shelter found nearly 1 in 50 women in England had been propositioned for ‘sex for rent’ in the previous five years.
Isn’t this illegal already?
It’s illegal in the UK under the Sexual Offences Act (2003), but so far only one man, 53-year-old Christopher Cox, has been convicted.
It’s not currently illegal in Ireland. However, this week Senator Laura Harmon has introduced a private members bill, the Prohibition of Advertising or Importuning Sex for Rent Bill (2025), in the Seanad, to address this issue.
What are campaigners calling for?
In Ireland, campaigning groups such as the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Dublin Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid Ireland and the Union of Students in Ireland are calling for landlords who exploit vulnerable women through ‘sex for rent’ scams to be criminalised.
In the UK, housing campaigners say the existing legal framework is not sufficient to prevent this predatory practice, and a new law to specifically address ‘sex for rent’ scams is needed.
The previous government launched a consultation into this issue. However, the new Labour government does not appear to be taking any action on this.
Why is this happening?
Housing charity Shelter has emphasised the link between ‘sex for rent’ scams and other forms of exploitation within the housing crisis.
In the UK, the private rented sector is largely unregulated, and the shortage of available homes mean that each rental advert receives a large number of applicants. According to the National Housing Federation, 8.5 million people in England can’t access suitable housing.
Ireland also faces a serious housing crisis. Average rents in Dublin are almost €2,500 per month, with record high levels of homelessness.
In addition to the widespread housing shortages, migrant women and other marginalised groups are more at risk for a number of reasons, including lack of financial and social resources, limited access to information about their rights, or not knowing how to challenge exploitative practices.
Aside from the economic factors, sexist and misogynist attitudes lead some men to believe they are entitled to women’s bodies.
What should I do if this happens to me or someone I know?
In the UK, you can report ‘sex for rent’ scams to the police. In the UK and Ireland you can report inappropriate online content directly to social media sites and rental websites.
If you or a woman you know needs emergency refuge accommodation you can contact domestic abuses services, such as the national domestic abuse helpline in the UK (0808 2000 247), or the Women’s Aid helpline in Ireland: 1800 341 900.
Rape Crisis England & Wales offer free and confidential advice via a phone line or online chat. Rape Crisis Ireland also offer a free 24 hour phone service.
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