Published on: 21 Feb, 2026 21:37 IST
These days, rents are going through the roof in many places, and it’s pushing people into really tough spots. One scary thing that’s come up is called “sex-for-rent” basically, some landlords offer a room for free or super cheap, but only if the tenant agrees to have sex with them or do other sexual things. It sounds awful because it is. These deals are usually hidden behind nice-sounding words like “friends with benefits” or “companionship,” but they take advantage of people who are desperate for a place to live.
So, what exactly is this? How legal is it? And why do some people end up in these situations? Let’s break it down in plain words, looking at what’s happening in Canada (where it’s been in the news a lot) and here in India.
What Does “Sex-for-Rent” Actually Mean?
It’s when a landlord posts an ad for a room saying “no rent needed” or “cheap stay,” but the real price is sexual favors. Sometimes the ad is super direct, like asking for a “young, petite female” to share a bed. Other times it’s sneaky things like “live-in girlfriend” or “keep me company.” The people most targeted are young women, students (especially international ones), immigrants, or anyone who can’t pay normal rent prices.
In Canada, a big investigation by CBC Marketplace in 2025 went undercover. They replied to over 20 ads on sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Half were obvious about wanting sex, and when they followed up, most landlords straight-up said things like “we can fool around” or listed specific acts they expected. It was shocking how easy these ads were to find, especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver where rents are crazy high.
It’s not about two adults making a fair deal there’s a huge power gap. The landlord has the home, the tenant has nowhere else to go. That makes it feel more like exploitation than choice, and it can lead to pressure, fear, or even danger.
Is This Kind of Deal Actually Legal?
No, not really in most places, including Canada and India, these arrangements break the law.
In Canada, there’s a law (called Bill C-36) that makes it illegal to offer or take housing in exchange for sex. It can count as exploitation or even sex trafficking. Landlords could face charges, fines, or lose their place. But catching them is hard because they use vague words, and not many cases go to court. Platforms like Facebook don’t always remove the ads fast enough.
In India, there isn’t one exact law just for “sex-for-rent,” but it still falls under serious rules. Things like rape, cheating, threats, or forcing someone into prostitution can apply (from the Indian Penal Code or the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act). If it involves prostitution, the landlord could get up to 7 years in jail. The Supreme Court says live-in relationships are okay if they’re truly consensual and free, but anything forced isn’t. Normal rent agreements have to be fair no weird clauses that take away your freedom or dignity. Still, because of shame, fear, or not knowing who to tell, many cases never get reported.
Around the world, experts say these deals aren’t valid contracts at all. There’s no real agreement when one side is desperate and scared — true consent is missing.
Why Do People Get Into These Situations?
It almost always comes down to one thing: no affordable place to live.
In Canada, by 2025, rents in big cities jumped 8-10% every year. A normal one-bedroom could cost over $2,300 a month. Young people, especially students from other countries, just can’t keep up. When you’re facing homelessness or deportation worries (for visa reasons), even a bad option starts looking okay. Victims often don’t speak up because they’re embarrassed, scared of getting kicked out, or worried about their status.
In India, it’s a bit different but comes from the same pressure. In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, rents eat up half your salary sometimes. Single women face extra problems many landlords won’t rent to unmarried girls, or they demand no boyfriends visiting, no drinking, early curfews, or “family only.” That makes it harder to find a safe spot, and some landlords take advantage by hinting at “special deals” for sex or company. There are old reports of creepy offers like rent cuts for sexual stuff
In some rural parts of places like Madhya Pradesh, there are even worse old customs (like “Dhadicha pratha”) where poor families “rent out” daughters or wives for money — sometimes on official stamp paper for days, weeks, or longer. It’s driven by poverty, dowry pressure, and too few women in some areas. These aren’t choices; they’re forced by need.
Sex workers here also struggle a lot many can’t get proper rent papers because of stigma, so they end up in risky spots. Laws try to help (like a 2021 Supreme Court order for better rights), but housing bias is still common.
Bottom line: People don’t choose this because they want to. They do it when regular housing fails them completely.
What Needs to Change?
As of early 2026, this problem is still out there it’s like a hidden side effect of bad housing policies. In Canada, people are pushing for better rules on online ads and more police action. In India, groups that help sex workers and women’s rights NGOs are fighting for fair renting and less discrimination.
The real fix? Make housing affordable so no one feels trapped. Governments need to build more cheap homes, stop crazy rent hikes, and crack down on unfair landlords.
If something like this happens to you or someone you know, don’t stay quiet. In India, call the women’s helpline 1091 or 181. In Canada, reach out to local crisis centers or police. Talking about it is how we start making things safer for everyone.
It’s heartbreaking, but shining a light on it is the first step to stopping it.