CLAMPDOWN CALL ON SEX FOR RENT PERV LANDLORDS

THE Government must clamp down on pervert landlords and outlaw sex for rent, a TD insisted yesterday

- JOHN HAND

An RTE Investigates documentary last night revealed how some proprietors are seeking seedy acts from often vulnerable prospective tenants in exchange for reduced rent or free accommodation.

The probe came on foot of Ireland’s homeless figures being at an all-time high with over 12,000 in emergency accommodation.

In Ireland, there is still no specific law to ban landlords from seeking sex for rent.

Sinn Fein’s Eoin O Broin told how it’s been a year since such issues were highlighted in newspapers.

And he said many TDs wrote to both the Minister for Housing and the Minister for Justice urging them to strengthen the protections for tenants by outlawing such practices.

Mr O Broin said: “It is disappointing that, over a year later, the Government has not only not taken any action on this issue, but blocked a Private Members Bill aimed at tackling this disgusting practice. With rents at sky high levels, rental properties hard to get and homelessness rising, many prospective tenants could fall prey to this kind of predatory behaviour.

“Government must make the seeking of sex in exchange for rent a criminal offence.