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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find this really uncomfortable?

77 replies

lemonzest123 · 13/04/2017 12:44

I just heard a fascinating piece on the radio about people offering free rent accommodation in their homes in exchange for sex, especially in London.

I had a quick Google and there are tonnes of ads on Craigslist. I had no idea people did this!

One person was making the argument that it's a contract between consenting adults and therefore ok but I can't help but think how vulnerable you'd need to be to think it was a good idea. Sad Especially as all the ads seem to stipulate girls should be young. I attach my least fav!

I'm in the office on my own today and have no one to bounce thoughts off. What does MAN think?

To find this really uncomfortable?
OP posts:
gamerchick · 13/04/2017 12:45

A live in prostitute? Confused

HecateAntaia · 13/04/2017 12:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

UppityHumpty · 13/04/2017 12:47

Not much difference to some MNetters marriages really. :)

blacklist2000 · 13/04/2017 12:49

They don't outwardly say in return for sex so if English isn't your first language and can't read between the lines, you might get a shock when you turn up.

Basically, a live in prostituting maid.

Original poster
lemonzest123 · 13/04/2017 12:51

Some ads refer to accommodation in exchange for "being used as a resource". Ugh Sad

OP posts:
Snugglepalace · 13/04/2017 13:08

Just a way for dirty old men to lure in young, naive vulnerable girls and turn them into sex slaves. Horrible!

PatsyMount · 13/04/2017 13:15

I read an article on this in (I think it was) Cosmo last month. One of their journalists went undercover and attended some 'interviews and viewings'. She came away feeling all grubby. Her article featured a really well presented intelligent lady who was living under this arrangement. She didn't know how, or couldn't afford to get out of it.

So very sad.

DameDeDoubtance · 13/04/2017 13:20

This is where austerity Britain and ridiculous housing costs has led. Lets see who is being treated like shit, oh yes, girls and women, well what a surprise.

ArcheryAnnie · 13/04/2017 13:20

It's way beyond "uncomfortable" and way into "utterly vile" - creepy guys using their economic power to get desperate women to sleep with them. Can you imagine the first time one of these women tried to say "no"?

Also: zone 6? Really? /missing the point

HerOtherHalf · 13/04/2017 13:23

Words fail me. Beyond shocking.

giraffesCantReachTheirToes · 13/04/2017 13:23

That's awful

Batgirlspants · 13/04/2017 13:24

Totally vile and awful

Honeybee79 · 13/04/2017 13:25

It's been happening in London for a while.

My friend was flat-share hunting a couple of years ago and had this kind of arrangement suggested to her.

The London housing market is vile but this a whole new fucking level of awfulness that puts people - mostly women, many of who are young and desperate for accommodation- at so much risk.

kerryob · 13/04/2017 13:25

Omg, I can't believe they can even advertise this

TitaniasCloset · 13/04/2017 13:27

I agree with same. This government has fucked up the lives of so many people with their housing policies. And it affects the young and vulnerable the most. So many people have no idea what people are going through right now because of the housing issues. Makes me furious.

MrsMeeseeks · 13/04/2017 13:28

Filthy old bastard.

Zone 6 isn't even West London.

LockedOutOfMN · 13/04/2017 13:28

Read an article about this in last month's Grazia. A very sad statement on Britain in 2017.

wetcardboard · 13/04/2017 13:29

Once when I was looking for a room in London I saw one advertised that was suspiciously cheap. When I asked why, the person messaged back saying something about wanting "good company." I wrote back and point blank asked if he expected sex, and he replied with a long-winded justification about "sex being a human need, and it's perfectly natural and fine to want it" etc

Well, no, it's not fine if you are expecting sex in a house-share situation, but can't even admit it and act coy about it when pressed. I reported the ad to gumtree and it was removed within minutes. I worry a lot about vulnerable girls and women who find themselves in this situation. It's downright vile.

TitaniasCloset · 13/04/2017 13:30

Dame I meant.

Aridane · 13/04/2017 13:31

It doesn't surprise me. Much of Craiglist 'casual encounters' section is pretty much the same in asking for thinly disguised prostitution ('generous man', 'r*ward offered' etc) or seriously deluded (50 something man looking for legal teen for x, y, z)

kathkim · 13/04/2017 13:35

Paying "in kind" it used to be called.

innagazing · 13/04/2017 13:35

It;s shocking!
There was something on the tv last night about it too.
It's so frightening that so many men think it's acceptable to do this.It certainly doesn't say much for society today.
I feel worried for the young girls of today. I had thought there had been a lot of progress in equality issues, and females generally being more independent than in previous years, but I'm seriously doubting this now.

KitKat1985 · 13/04/2017 13:36

There was a feature on this on BBC news today. Apparently it isn't even illegal, which I find odd as it's essentially advertising for prostitutes except the women are paid in accommodation rather than cash. There's so many vulnerable women out there who would probably do this over living on the streets etc, but it's bloody sad that it's come to this.

harderandharder2breathe · 13/04/2017 13:38

It's awful! Imo it should be treated the way a doctor or teacher would be treated for an affair with a patient or pupil, it's an abuse of being in a position of power, landlord over tennant.

Funnyfarmer · 13/04/2017 13:41

This sort of thing could actually be a savour to some women. A way out from an even worse situation. Streets, prostitution, abuse, violence. So many women are prepared to sex to get to where they want in life anyway. If it's too consenting adults I don't really see the problem