The House of Lords is wading into the sex for rent unscrupulous agreements that have been extensively covered in the media for some time and will be debating the issue today (Monday 22nd November).

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In today’s debate it is almost certain that amendments will be made to the government’s Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, at its Committee Stage in the Upper House.

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede has put forward amendments which will make it a criminal offense for landlords arranging ‘sex for agents’ agreements and will also introduce substantial fines on websites that allows posts sex for rent adverts.

In January the Daily Mail contacted more than 20 male landlords who posted adverts on the US-owned listings website Craigslist  with reporters claiming to be a 21 year old student and were repeatedly given the chance of free ‘digs’ in return for sexual ‘favours’. 

Amongst those offering free accommodation were a former member of RAF Support Commander and an HMRC employee (obviously no taxable income to declare).

Labour MP Peter Kyle has been trying to eliminate this issue by repeatedly calling for three changes to the law.

The first is the hosting of such advertisements on sites such as Craigslist is made illegal, the second is for this type of offence is now part of an amendment to be made to the Sexual Offences Act 2003; this should hopefully encourage more victims to report the perpetrators and the third change is that Craigslist and other platforms hosting such adverts must be made fully accountable for their actions.