Generation Rent backs Braverman’s rogue landlord clampdown

Activist group Generation Rent has thrown its weight behind the initiative by Home Secretary Suella Braverman to clampdown on so-called ‘sex for rent’ arrangements.

Over the weekend Braverman announced a call for eviodence to gather more informaiton on the scale of the issue, ahead of likely legislation.

Dan Wilson Craw, deputy director of Generation Rent, says Braverman’s call for evidence on the issue is “vital” and is supported by his group. 

He claims that research conducted by Generation Rent and Mumsnet estimates that over 200,000 women could be victims of ‘Sex for Rent’ in the UK. 

Four per cent of all respondents indicated that they had been offered free or discounted rent in return for sexual favours. Generation Rent claims this rose to one in 10 respondents with a household income below £20,000.

Wilson Craw goes on: “We know the vast majority of landlords abide by the law: seeking permission to enter and respecting their tenants’ privacy. However, given the unparalleled access landlords have to tenants’ personal spaces and lives, and the scale of the issue, this consultation is necessary in ensuring that everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us, has access to a safe and secure home, free from harassment and exploitation.”

The measure - announced over the weekend - is also backed by National Ugly Mugs, an organisation which works to end all violence towards sex workers.

NUM chief executive Dr Raven Bowen says: “We welcome the ‘sex for rent’ call for evidence. As an organisation dedicated to supporting sex workers we have seen first hand the damage that this exploitative behaviour can have, especially on young women and mothers.

“We support action that will clamp down on predatory landlords and we hope that this is accompanied by wider action to combat the fundamental issue of poverty and unaffordable housing that make people vulnerable to this abuse.”

The call for evidence seeks the views of those who have been involved in a sex for rent arrangement, whether they entered into it in an informed and consensual way or were deceived, coerced or compelled.

It also seeks the views of statutory agencies, law enforcement organisations, internet companies that allow the posting of advertisements for accommodation, and charities and other organisations concerned with violence against women and girls.

You can see the government announcement here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/exchange-of-sexual-relations-for-accommodation-sex-for-rent

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