Propertymark has made a strident set of demands of the government in a bid to end the so-called Sex For Rent scandal.

Responding to the Home Office’s call for evidence on the exchange of sexual relations for accommodation, Propertymark says any landlords who engage in this sex are likely to engage in other criminal acts such as prostitution, human trafficking, and drugs. 

“They are also extremely unlikely to provide the high standards expected of landlords within the private rental sector such as complying with legislation and health and safety requirements” says the trade body.

Propertymark is calling for several measures that will end the practice including:

– Giving local authorities sufficient resources to ensure standards are high across the board in the PRS;

– A referral route for local authorities to report suspected cases to the police and relevant authorities;

– Tackle online platforms that advertise these arrangements and give them the same requirements to meet as online property platforms;

– More support for those impacted to help them come forward;

– The police and other authorities share information with letting agents and landlords on spotting the signs and how to report it.