Lawyer’s call over ‘sex for homes’ landlords

Laws should be changed to prevent unscrupulous landlords offering accommodation in return for sex, a leading property lawyer has urged.   Liz Brady has joined a number of campaigners pressing the government to make changes because current laws rely on vulnerable tenants making complaints to police.   Ms Brady, who is partner at law firm Fuley Page, said many of those who were pressured to give sex for accommodation were unlikely to press charges under current laws.   “At the moment the only action that can be taken against such landlords is a charge under the Sexual Offences Act of inciting prostitution, which carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years,” she explained.   “This is not enforced as it is not directly applicable to the situation and relies on the victim tenant coming forward to complain.   “Many people, especially rough sleepers, the young or those trapped in abusive relationships, are unlikely to go to the police. The law clearly needs to be changed to protect the most vulnerable people in our society.”

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