Woman who was offered sex-for-rent arrangements hopes new legislation will bring justice
A woman who was offered sex-for-rent arrangements after moving to Dublin says she hopes that new legislation will prevent other women having to go through what she did.
Under the General Scheme of Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 brought to the Cabinet by minister for justice Jim O'Callaghan, it will be an offence to offer accommodation in exchange for sex, and to advertise accommodation in exchange for sex. A fine of up to €5,000 will be the penalty for those convicted.
The legislation will cover rental arrangements between landlords and tenants, as well as 'rent-a-room' situations. The move has been welcomed by an Italian woman who previously told the Irish Examiner that trying to find a place to rent in Dublin was like 'falling into a dangerous hell.'
In one incident, the prospective landlord told her he wanted photos of her and her future housemates before giving them an appointment to view the property. He also said he only wanted females to move in and was 'looking for fun to cover rent'.
Another advertiser told her he wanted someone who would share a bed with him in a property he was hoping to secure, because he wanted to halve the rent for the room. When she refused the offer, he texted her to ask if she would like to be his girlfriend.
The third advertiser replied to her query telling her that a room and himself 'came together' for €200 per month.
The woman, who does not want to be named, said: 'I hope all the expats coming to Dublin won't go again through the nightmare that me and other girls went through, being able to feel safe and comfortable to find a house in the country they will be working. And I really hope that people taking advantage of this situation will be sanctioned in the right way, finally having justice.'
Last year, a report published by the National Women's Council called for legislation to tackle the issue as an offence outside of prostitution laws, as such an approach had earlier been mooted.
Ivanna Youtchak, who is the council's violence against women co-ordinator, said: 'Sex-for-rent exploitation forces vulnerable women in precarious housing situations to choose between sexual exploitation and homelessness. The impact that this has on women cannot be overstated, making the very place they should feel safest – their home – a place of sexual exploitation.
"In line with the commitments in the 2025 Programme for Government, clear steps to end the exploitation of women affected by sex-for-rent exploitation are crucial.'
She said the council also wants to see an extension of legal tenancy protections to all renters, including licensees under the Residential Tenancy Act.
She added: 'Ultimately, we will only end this sexual exploitation by successfully tackling the housing crisis and ensuring safe, quality housing and accommodation is available for everyone who needs it.'
Labour senator Laura Harmon brought a bill before the Seanad last month to also outlaw sex for rent. She said she met with Mr O'Callaghan on Tuesday to discuss the new legislation.
She said: 'The government's support to act on this is welcome and is a result of the robust discussion we had on my bill last month and pressure from civil society organisations. I will continue to work with the minister on this and I will work cross-party to get legislation passed.''
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