As Canada grapples with housing crisis, ‘sex-for-rent’ schemes surface online

A disturbing trend has emerged in Canada’s strained rental market, where landlords are allegedly offering discounted or free accommodation in exchange for s*xual favours.

Recent investigations, including a CBC Marketplace exposé, revealed that ads disguised as ‘friends-with-benefits’ or ‘live-in girlfriend’ arrangements have appeared on mainstream rental platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.

Some postings reportedly demanded intimate photos as part of the application process.

Vulnerable Tenants Targeted

Officials and advocacy groups say young women, international students, and low-income renters are most at risk. In Brampton, Ontario, councillors condemned such propositions, calling them ‘essentially prostitution’.

They warned that female international students, in particular, are being exploited under the guise of affordable housing.

Legal Implications

Under Canada’s Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (Bill C-36), such arrangements are illegal. Offering or receiving rent in exchange for s*x can lead to criminal charges, civil suits, tenancy board penalties, and human rights complaints.

Authorities Respond

Local governments and community groups are pushing for stricter rental oversight and public awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on tech platforms to monitor and remove exploitative ads more effectively.

Key Message

Authorities urge tenants to report any s*x-for-rent proposals immediately to police, tenancy boards, or human rights commissions. As Canada grapples with a deepening housing crisis, these predatory practices have sparked renewed debate over renter protections and accountability.