Tickling in Lieu of Rent: Enforceable Deal?

The Associated Press is reporting on yet another interesting phenomenon that has cropped up since the advent of the internet: the online classified ad that offers a room in exchange for sex.   In cities throughout the U.S., Craigslist housing ads offer, for example, a room in exchange for ”sex and lightoffice duty”; a one-bedroom pool house free ”to agirl that is skilled and willing”; a $700-a-monthroom at a discount to a fit female willing to provide sex.  Sounds like prostitution, right?  The article explains why the cops “aren’t kicking down doors”:

Paul J. Browne, a deputy police commissioner in New York, saidinvestigators have found that the Craigslist ads are frequently”little more than a form of voyeurism that didn’t result in an actualexchange of sex for rent.”

And, there are, after all, ads that are less overtly sexual: ”I usually rent the room for 600, but if you are really ticklishand willing to trade being tickled for the extra rent then we have adeal.” 

But, do these ads lead to enforceable deals?  The overtly sexual arrangements, at least in the states where prostitution is illegal, are very likely void as against public policy.  But what about the less sexually overt arrangements?  What if the lessee doesn’t allow the lessor to do the promised tickling?  Does the lessor have a valid contract claim to the “extra rent”?  I am sure stranger claims have been brought in housing or small claims court . . .

[Meredith R. Miller]