Suella Braverman, the home secretary, acknowledged that young women are the most at risk and said the consultation “brings us closer to ending this deeply harmful trend and better protecting victims”.

However, many campaigners and charities say to truly end the exploitation of renters, the government must address the root causes that are driving up instances of sex-for-rent abuse.

As Shelter chief executive Polly Neate told Stylist last year, the rise is “an appalling symptom of our housing emergency” and only a crackdown on “unaffordable private rents, skyrocketing living costs and the dire shortage of social homes” will truly put an end to the power of predatory landlords.

If you have been affected by this issue, please contact Shelter for free advice.

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Images: Getty

Sex for rent: the clock is ticking for predatory landlords as the government launches a call for evidence