Growing political anger over Sex For Rent landlords...

Both Labour and the Scottish National Party have spoken out over online platforms carrying advertisements from landlords seeking sexual favours in lieu of rent.

The issue is not confined to Scotland but politicians and campaigners north of the border have been particularly outspoken on the issue for some months.

Pauline McNeill, Scottish Labour’s housing and equalities spokesperson, says action should be taken against landlords taking advantage of the Coronavirus crisis.

She comments: “The Scottish Government must guarantee that, as we come out of the pandemic, robust measures are in place to help those who are struggling financially and ensure we don’t see a return to rough living, homelessness and exploitation.”

Scottish Housing Minister Kevin Stewart, of the SNP, responds: “The law is clear that no one can be forced or coerced into sexual activity. This would include where someone is exploited through an exchange of sex for accommodation. Anyone at risk of coercion should seek advice and contact the police immediately.

“The Scottish Government does not have the power to force the removal of advertisements. However, we have previously written to Craigslist, Gumtree and Vivastreet regarding adverts like these. Gumtree committed to removing adverts of this type wherever reported.”

The Daily Record newspaper says Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson has also demanded action from both the UK and Scottish governments. “Regulate these platforms to stamp it out and get serious about the housing emergency by building the social homes needed” she says.

Meanwhile Sean Clerkin, of the Scottish Tenants Association, has told the newspaper: “A new law is needed to stop this exploitation.”

Earlier this month Labour’s UK shadow justice minister, Peter Kyle, demanded action against online platforms allowing such advertisements and the landlords identified in a sting by the Daily Mail at new Year.

The Mail contacted over 20 UK male landlords advertising on the US-owned listings website Craigslist: its reporters were posing as a 21-year-old student who was repeatedly offered free accommodation in exchange for sexual acts.

The sexual overtures were made by an HMRC staff member and a former member of RAF Support Command amongst others.

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Algarve Investor
20 January 2021 10:05 AM

Miss Jones!!! But, in all seriousness, this is a shocking state of affairs that needs to be clamped down upon by government, who as the commenter below has said have allowed this practice to thrive.

Good to see papers actually campaigning on important issues like this, rather than the usual highly partisan stuff.

David Wirth
20 January 2021 10:07 AM

'Sex with a scrubber'? Charming! It's probably more likely to be a single tenant - maybe a student - who simply can't pay her way any more and is really just desperate to stay in the property. Please don't stereotype. This is a serious issue.

David Wirth
20 January 2021 10:12 AM

Thank you Peter. At last someone is addressing the issue with the seriousness it deserves. It is not something to just make jokes about. It just indicates the desperate financial situation some of our tenants can be in.

Andrew townshend
20 January 2021 14:06 PM

I don't know of this kind of thing in my area, it would be sheer madness to have a relationship with a tenant, be like a teacher having a relationship with a school girl, and that has gone on locally.