Wera Hobhouse, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, has demanded the government take action against landlords who are offering free rent in return for sex.
In 2017, the Ministry of Justice reviewed the law and clarified that the arrangements were illegal, but earlier this week a BBC investigation uncovered landlords in the West are still continuing to offer free rent in return for sex.
In response to her question in the chamber, Edward Argar MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary) has agreed to meet with Wera to take the matter further.
Wera said: “The UK is in the midst of a housing crisis leaving thousands vulnerable and the fact these individuals are taking advantage of those struggling to afford their rent is despicable.”
“This is illegal but these landlords are blatantly flouting the law. The government must take action to not only improve the number of prosecutions, but ensure these adverts are not placed in the first place.
“I urge the government to take action immediately, and am happy to work with them to achieve this.
“To wait is to leave these vulnerable women and men with the risks of homelessness or exploitation.”
