Cork senator publishes bill seeking to criminalise ‘sex for rent’ adverts

A Cork senator has published a bill seeking to criminalise the act of soliciting sexual services in exchange for a reduced rent or in lieu of rent.

Yesterday, Labour’s Laura Harmon launched the Prohibition of Advertising or Importuning Sex for Rent Bill 2025. 

It proposes a fine of up to €50,000 for those convicted of advertising rental spaces under such terms. It follows the recent publication of a report featuring testimony from a Cork student who had to share a bed with strangers. 

Predatory tactics 

Ms Harmon said the practice was “abuse of power”, and must be stopped.

“While we all know of rogue landlords using the housing crisis as an opportunity to make a quick buck, I am increasingly aware of a growing trend of people using nothing short of predatory tactics to demand sex from tenants in lieu of rent,” she said.

“The housing crisis has permeated every section of our society. Many of our friends, family, and loved ones are struggling with insecure housing, astronomical rents, and the complete lack of affordable homes to buy,” said Ms Harmon. 

“But there is also an unseen side to this crisis — one that preys on the most vulnerable.”

Abuse of power 

Ms Hamon said that this is occurring on leading rental platforms.

“You’ll rarely see it committed to print, but once someone enquires about a property, the seedy text messages start — suggestions of sharing a bed, or an expectation of sex in return for shelter.

“This is an appalling abuse of power, and it must be outlawed. My bill will cover all forms of communication in terms of these ads and all electronic communication.

“Those who engage in this behaviour are calculated in their approach. They predominantly target migrants and young people.”

Ms Harmon said recent reports have shown that some landlords are “shamelessly exploiting marginalised women, particularly those at risk of homelessness”.

She added that the previous minister for justice, Helen McEntee, “promised to address this issue through the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, with amendments, but this failed to materialise”.

She called on the new minister for justice, Jim O’Callaghan, to put an end to the practice.

Coercive and abusive

The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) welcomed the introduction of the bill, saying that a recent report of theirs found that 5% of female international students said they had either received an offer to rent a room in exchange for sex, or had seen a room that was being advertised in exchange for sex.

“Offering accommodation in exchange for sex is a coercive and abusive practice that must be outlawed,” said a spokesperson. “ICOS has been calling for the introduction of this legislation for several years, and we urge members of the Oireachtas to support this bill.”