Close to four years ago, Cosmopolitan reported on the practice of predatory 'landlords' offering vulnerable women free (or heavily discounted) accommodation in exchange for sexual favours. Now, in a landmark new case, the first ever landlord has been charged in a 'sex for rent'-based trial.
Christopher Cox, aged 52, has been accused of requesting potential tenants send him bikini photos and requesting they be willing to provide him with sexual services in exchange for somewhere to live, free of charge. He now faces two counts of inciting prostitution for gain and one count for controlling prostitution for gain between May 2018 and November 2018.
The Metro report that prosecutors in Staines Magistrates’ Court heard how Cox had published adverts on Craigslist, saying he had a rent-free bedroom in his Surrey home available for a homeless or vulnerable young woman.
Cox is also alleged to have requested that these women be willing to engage in acts of bondage with him and be tied up, according to Prosecutor Kimberly Grabban.
The charges were filed following an investigation conducted by ITV, who passed his details on to the police in 2019.
Legal guidance was issued to make exploitation of tenants by landlords punishable by up to seven years in prison in 2019, following research from the housing and homeless charity Shelter, that found close to a quarter of a million women had been targeted over a four-year period.
Cox did not indicate a plea in relation to the first two charges and pleaded not guilty to the third charge. He remains on unconditional bail up until the next part of his hearing, which is set to take place at the Guildford Crown Court on 25 March.
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Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
