After a successful campaign by Generation Rent, the Online Safety Bill will target predators seeking exploitative arrangements often referred to as ‘sex for rent’.
‘Sex for Rent’ is a practice whereby a landlord or letting agent offers free or discounted rent in exchange for sexual conduct.
According to research conducted by Generation Rent and Mumsnet, more than 200,000 female private renters could be offered discounted rent in exchange for sexual acts at some point in their lives – 4% of all female private renters in the UK.
The Online Safety Bill has now passed in Parliament.
It will work to target harmful ‘sex for rent’ adverts and hold online platforms responsible for preventing them from being posted to websites such as Gumtree and Craigslist.
The Bill will ensure that illegal content, including predatory adverts, will have to be removed, and will place a legal responsibility on social media platforms to enforce the promises they make to users when they sign up through terms and conditions, and offer users the option to filter out harmful content.
If social media platforms do not comply with these rules, Ofcom could fine them up to £18m – or 10% of their global annual revenue, whichever is biggest.
‘Sex for rent’ was affirmed as a sexual offence in 2017 by the Ministry of Justice. However, despite the prevalence of the practice, only one person has ever been convicted.
According to Generation Rent, the law has made it difficult for victims in these cases to seek justice, as they are legally defined as ‘prostitutes’, which acts as a deterrent.
The Government launched a public consultation in April 2023, which aimed to understand the scale and nature of the issue. Campaigners are still waiting for the Government’s response.
The Government will use submissions to the public consultation to decide whether a dedicated ‘sex for rent’ law is needed.
Generation Rent advocated for a clear and dedicated law in order to target predators and protect vulnerable renters.
Tilly Smith, campaigns and partnership officer at Generation Rent, said: “’Sex for Rent’ is an extremely concerning and predatory practice – the inclusion of these harmful adverts in the Online Safety Bill is a positive move and we keenly await the government’s response to the public consultation.
“However, these changes alone will not end the overriding issues that force vulnerable people into ‘Sex for Rent’ arrangements.
“The Government must act to ensure that benefit payments are enough to cover the rent, that people can access and remain in safe and secure homes, and that that renters are supported through the cost-of-living crisis.”
