to consider paying for new kitchen by renting out our house as TV location?

[runningLou]

Just spoke to a TV producer who would like to use our house for a BBC series (don't know what). Production company put a letter through our door so called to find out more. It would be 12 days filming, they would entirely strip out and 'dress' the house - we would be in a hotel. Sounds majorly disruptive I know, but they would pay min. £6k!! I think this is right as DM has had her house used once too and was paid £750 for the day.
This would mean we could get our new kitchen extension without getting into debt - we've already saved quite a bit.
But, I am a very anxious, private, introverted control freak so the idea of a film crew taking over our home makes me CRINGE! WWYD??

£6k and they put you up in a hotel?! Absolutely yes!

How do you feel about your belongings being moved about and potentially lost/broken? Woodwork, paintwork and flooring potentially being damaged? Check they have the necessary insurance and make sure you're not liable for anything that happens in the property while they're there, and whether the cost of any damage/breakages is meant to come out of the £6k.

You're essentially renting out your home for 12 days.

I'd personally do it I think but I'd check the above before I started mentally spending the money!

If you do do it:

Be prepared for them to overrun (they did both times we did it for a day)

Be prepared for.things to go missing (for some reason they acquired all of our chargers which was a PITA)

Be prepared for things not to be quite as they were (paint missing from ceiling where sheets taped up, paint on tiles, black tape over brand names on TVs etc)

Be aware that although it is for the BBC, it'll probably be an independent production company doing it.

It seems like easy money, and it is but I wouldn't do it again. It's just too much hassle, and I'm a bit about strangers using my home in that way and they don't take their shoes off

Being the voice of caution for a moment, do check this out very carefully before committing, get as much information as possible, and check the credentials of the TV company or whoever will be using your house. See if you can talk to others who have had their houses used as locations by the same company.

Friends (not in the UK) who have done this have had mixed experiences, though these were generally old houses being 'dressed' to look a certain way for period film/TV. In at least one case, the treatment of the house was quite careless, the owner was billed for the extra electricity the TV lights etc were using, and the 'return to current state' was not very nuanced.

Yes! Think of it as an exciting lucky strike. My aunt's house was used for a beeb murder mystery thing ages ago and they were very respectful amd the house was put back immaculately.

Yes that's exactly what I'm paranoid about, things going missing or low level damage that is actually really annoying to fix, like paint on ceiling, or mud and worse trampled into carpets etc. TBH the only reason I'm seriously considering it is due to the building work we have planned for this summer which will mean a new kitchen, new floor through downstairs hallway, and probably a lot of collateral damage as well. I reckon in advance of this is probably the only time I would allow access.
Nothing special about the house at all other than it is by a park and near some TV studios. They are just looking for a 3 bed semi so am guessing they leafleted lots of houses ... We may well not get selected if they don't like the inside (waiting to hear back about a visit).
It's just the DC's bedrooms I feel bad about ... They are so personal IYKWIM.

I assume the 6k will count as taxable income? Similar to holiday lets ect. If you are a higher rate taxpayer it may not be so lucrative.

Nope we're definitely not higher rate tax payers! £6k is a big deal to me as over half my yearly salary!!

We've got a 3 bed semi... I'll do it for 5k! 😉

As you are having work done anyway then it seems like an ideal thing to do. Even if you have to spend a little sorting it out afterwards if they do do any damage (repainting ceiling, etc) then you will still be ££ in. Takes a lot to earn £6k.

Christ I'd do this just if they'd tidy the bloody house! You get 6k, a holiday AND a tidy up. What's not to love? DO IT!!!

As you're planning a lot of building work anyway, I would do it. Even if you have to do a little repainting/carpet cleaning afterwards, you'll still be a lot better off financially than if you had to dip into an overdraft.

Just triple check things like insurance, electric/gas costs, what happens if they overrun or damage something that means you're out of your house even longer - will they/their insurance cover extra nights in a hotel?

Years ago my brother and his wife did it.

Their flat was found through a local estate agent - it was up for sale. He was paid several £1000's. They painted some walls for filming and offered to return them to the original colour, he said no as they were selling.

The filming happened during the day while they were at work, so no hassle.

Even if basic rate tax payer you may still be liable for tax on this income.So don't count on getting 6k net out of it.

Still sounds like a good deal to me, and I'd probably go for it in your shoes.

Oh and you would have to notify your home insurance. They may temporarily increase your premium.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

As others have said the devil is in the detail, I worked for a location company in LA for a bit finding locations (generally houses) for films and adverts and managing shoots and we were very particular about putting everything back exactly as it was but we had very high budget clients and the locations were generally multi million dollar houses. I know of people who have worked in UK TV doing the same thing and it wasn't quite as polished, I suspect because of the sums involved. BTW it was an awesome job but full of divas (producers, directors, stars and householders)

I'd do it!
Presumably they pay for a professional clean afterwards?

I'd go for it, especially as it sounds like the house will be knocked about by builders on the near future anyway!

*"in the near future"

They will have to 'make good' any damage. This is standard (but check your contract as and when). And if / when tell you they are interested in your house, ask for more money. They'll have at least £8k in that budget line...(production manager's job to spend money wisely - they'll always negotiate from a low point and try to get you down further).

Windfall! Totally

Ooh exciting!! I would def do it and then hang around to meet any dishy actorrrrs!

My next door neighbour did this although it was a shorter shoot. very ordinary 3 bedroom semi and left as they found it.

Even better, neighbours including a very happy me and DH got to see Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson in the flesh!

So the producer came round last night to inspect, and told us the house wasn't suitable because ... The kitchen was too small!! We know, that's why we're having the extension built!! Ah well, guess it was all a bit too good to be true. Confirms that we do need a new kitchen though, even if we are going to have to get out a loan to afford it. We've only been in the house 18 months but we do love it and I know the new kitchen will be worth it in the end (trying to cheer myself up with that thought!).

I got over £15k once for house, but I found it disruptive so declined further.