The Civil Society Coalition for the Implementation of Sex for Rent Legislation – which incudes the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) – praised the progress of Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which will bring in a new offence making it illegal to advertise and offer accommodation in exchange for sex.
The practice disproportionately affects international students and other groups vulnerable to housing insecurity.
The legislation is currently working its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas after a round of amendments. The Coalition noted that, while its own suggested amendments had not been adopted, it recognised the weight of securing “this long-overdue protection” and hailed those bringing it into force.
It follows ICOS research published last year that found as many as one in 20 international students in Ireland had been offered or seen a room for rent in exchange for sex.
Brian Hearne, policy and communications manager at ICOS said that the Bill would “send an important message that exploiting someone’s need for housing cannot be tolerated and will have legal consequences”.
“Recognising ‘sex for rent’ as a specific criminal offence is a significant step forward and reflects the reality faced by many renters who have been targeted because of their housing situation,” he said. “We need to ensure the legislation is backed by effective enforcement, clear reporting pathways and support for those affected, so that its protections are realised in practice.”
Recognising ‘sex for rent’ as a specific criminal offence is a significant step forward and reflects the reality faced by many renters who have been targeted because of their housing situation
Brian Hearne, ICOS
Ireland’s housing crisis is being felt acutely across the country, driving up rental prices while demand soars. International students are particularly vulnerable to unsafe or exploitative housing schemes due to a lack of purpose-build student accommodation, on top of having to grapple with an already competitive rental market.
The Coalition said it believes that the new legislation should be brought in alongside practical measures such as support for victims, training for frontline agencies, protection for those living in informal rent-a-room arrangements, as well as “robust action” cracking down on exploitative adverts appearing on online platforms.
“The success of this legislation will also depend on effective implementation, public awareness, and ensuring that victims are able to access the supports and protections they need,” it said. “Continued collaboration across justice, housing and online safety will be essential to ensure the law achieves its intended purpose.”
National Women’s Council executive director Corrinne Hasson observed that the Irish housing crisis alongside rising violence against women had created “the perfect conditions” for exploitative rental situations.
“So this legislation is really important for women, particularly those in precarious housing,” she said. “We hope that, with proper enforcement, reporting pathways, and support, it will go a long way to protecting women from sex for rent exploitation.’
Barbara Condon, CEO of Ruhama, a Dublin-based charity that offers nationwide support to women impacted by prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation said: ‘We need to keep the momentum going and offer protection and pathways to safety for women already living in a situation of sex for rent exploitation. For these their home – the place they should feel safest – is a hostile and dangerous environment and this can’t be tolerated in a country that strives towards zero tolerance to domestic sexual and gender-based violence.’
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