Hiring out property for film shoots

[Rapunzel88]

I’m thinking about finding a location agency to occasionally rent out my house for filming as a side hustle. Has anyone had any good/ bad experiences of this? Can anyone recommend an agency? Thanks

I had an old boss who did this, they had a nice pile in Dulwich. The only way they made significant money out of it was by moving out for a couple of weeks at a time while filming took place. It wasn't by any means an easy process, the film crews were disruptive, you can't just live there normally while filming goes on. Luckily their kid was at boarding school so they weren't faced with having to find work arounds for that.

They also used to hire it for photoshoots which paid less but were normally wrapped up in a day.

Can't help with agencies I'm afraid, have no idea who they used.

I know someone who does this, but it seems to me less than a mere side hustle and more like a full time job! She has an instagram account for her home, updates content regularly etc. She gets MTV shoots there, an episode of Black Mirror was filmed there, etc. She lives quite close to London.

She seems to love it, but it looks like a lot of work/hassle to me. I'm probably too much of an introvert really.

Check your insurance. Chances are activities like this aren't covered,

From what I’ve read, the insurance is covered by third party from whoever is hiring, but it’s a good question to ask the agency.

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about smaller photo shoots, but maybe in a few years when the kids have gone we could consider bigger stuff!

We were offered this, just for the outside of our previous house. Mainly because they needed something in the area of the house they wrere using for the rest of it!

If its a period house, then they're v pernickety about everything being appropriate.

I would love to know which agencies or companies you need to register with to rent your home out for a film/show. Can anyone list a few please? Thank you

My cousin does this, no problems, very successfully.

hi, what agency or company do they use to do this please?

I haven't done this in my own home but I have lived in an area of period properties where neighbours have done this. Oh my goodness the disruption. We've had the whole street filled with 1980s cars, New Year's Eve fireworks in midsummer and the whole street decorated as Christmas in January for DrWho.

My workmate's house was used once for the TV series Mistresses. They completely redecorated the lounge. They were going to put it back afterwards but he liked it and kept it.

Roads closed, massive lighting gantries up and rows of trucks and catering stands. I visit that area once a week now and last week all was Jane Austenified and the green was full of horseboxes, horses, carriages and people in Georgian clothing.

It's a lot of fun but pretty inconvenient for people in the general area.

I found this list of London based agencies online- can’t vouch for any of them, though-

Top London location agencies

1. 1st Option (1st-option.com)
2. Airspace Locations (airspacelocations.co.uk)
3. Amazing Space (amazingspace.co.uk)
4. Creative Location (creativelocation.co.uk)
5. Fresh Locations (freshlocations.com)
6. JJ Locations jjmedia.com)
7. Lavish Locations (lavishlocations.com)
8. Light Locations (lightlocations.com)
9. Location Collective (location-collective.co.uk)
10. Shootfactory (shootfactory.co.uk)

additionally, there is scouty.com where you list your own property

I’m going to be contacting some of these once I get around to tidying up to take some pictures! I’ll let you know how I get on

I'm interested in this for my parents property.
If anyone has any updates please could you share?
Do they have to be massive houses or has anyone done it with a bog standard house for example?
My parents house is big but wr have a nice normal although very well done up house

My parents do this, their road is used a lot. They were approached by a company. It was the highlight of my dad's day having a cup of tea with Geraldine James in their kitchen 🤣

I live in a cobbled street of red brick back to back terraces. They have quite often used our streets for filming. We had Helen Mirren the other year! Don't use the inside though as I guess it's too small. Having them film the street was hassle enough so I think that it would even worse if they used the interior.

Can I ask what agencies you used?
We're not in London so I'd have to research if it'd even be worth it.
My parents house is spacious so could work for them but I think mine may be too small

It definitely works as a side hustle, but be prepared for the disruption. It’s not a passive income thing. You have to be okay with people moving things around, even if they put it back perfectly.

When I decided to list my place, I went with an agency because managing the contracts and insurance requirements was too much hassle for me personally. I chose Locations Direct because they seemed to have the most straightforward process for vetting the production companies.

Make sure your agent is really clear about your specific boundaries, like which rooms are off-limits or restrictions on smoking/pets.