The Rise of Sex-for-Rent Offers in Ireland

A Disturbing Trend Impacting International Students: The Sexual Exploitation Behind Ireland’s Housing Crisis

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Intoduction

While browsing the internet recently, I unexpectedly came across a news report that both caught my attention and disturbed me. The article, published by Sky News, claims that sex-for-rent offers are on the rise in Ireland.

But what exactly does “sex-for-rent” mean, and why does this news demand further discussion?

According to Sky News, many young women are being asked to provide sexual services in place of paying rent. The number of such offers is increasing at a staggering rate. Across the internet—especially on Facebook—there are discreet ads that, while not explicitly mentioning sexual requirements, quickly reveal their true intentions once women respond.

Personal Stories: The Human Cost of Sex-for-Rent

A young Brazilian journalist, Ana Paula Viana, arrived in Dublin in 2022 to study English and pursue her master’s degree. Like many other young people in Ireland, she turned to Facebook in search of accommodation.

When she inquired about the price for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, the landlord replied, “You won’t have to pay if you sleep in my bedroom several times a week.”"I was shocked," Ana recalled.

"I tried to ignore it because I desperately needed a place to live—even though I knew I should have reported it." She told Sky News that the government must introduce new laws as soon as possible.

Another case involves Darling Duran from Bolivia, who also came to Ireland to study English. She responded to an online ad for a one-bedroom apartment priced at 700 EUR (approximately $760) per month.

According to Darling, the landlord said he works at night, so the bed is available for her to use. He even added that since the bed was free, he would sometimes sleep in it with her. Believing the advertiser was European, Darling said he claimed, "I have no problem sharing my bed with you because I’m single."

After Darling rejected the proposal, the landlord repeatedly tried to invite her out."I didn’t find it funny at all," Darling explained. "I felt extremely uncomfortable. No one should have to go through such an ordeal."

The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) has reported an "alarming increase" in the practice of exchanging sexual services for rent. A recent study found that one in 20 female students had been offered this kind of arrangement. Laura Harmon, ICOS’s executive director, stressed that "urgent legislative measures" are needed to address the issue.

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Economic Pressures: How Soaring Rents Fuel Exploitative Offers

International female students—and young women from less affluent countries in South America and Africa—are particularly vulnerable.

Landlords often assume these women come from impoverished backgrounds, making them easier targets. With Ireland’s severe housing crisis, rental prices have skyrocketed.

For example, a one-bedroom apartment can cost around 700 EUR (approximately $760), while the average rent in Dublin now hovers near 2500 EUR (roughly $2700), a 4% increase from last year. If rental prices continue to climb, students—especially young women—will face even greater hardships, and sex-for-rent offers are likely to multiply.

Urgent Reforms: Legislative Action Needed to Protect Vulnerable Students

Until specific laws are enacted to outlaw and penalize such arrangements, landlords will keep using social media to offer accommodation in exchange for sexual favors.

This unsettling practice forces many female students to face uncomfortable situations.

There is, however, some movement on the legislative front. The new Minister of Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, announced that the government is working to make offering sex-for-rent a distinct criminal offense.

Discussions are ongoing between his department and the chief prosecutor to draft an appropriate provision. In reality, two proposed bills intended to explicitly ban sex-for-rent offers failed to pass when the Dáil (the lower house of the Irish Parliament) was dissolved before last year’s elections.

Conclusion

As Ireland remains the only EU country with English as an official language, it continues to attract a growing number of international students—now totaling around 40,000.

With so many students and a worsening housing crisis, some believe that trading sexual favors for accommodation is acceptable.

This practice will likely keep growing until a law explicitly prohibiting and punishing it is enacted. One can only hope that such legislation comes soon.

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