How to earn money renting your home to film and TV companies

You can make between £200 and £5,000 a day renting your home to TV and film companies, and for magazine photoshoots. And you don’t need a Downton Abbey-style mansion – an ordinary suburban semi will do. Here’s our top tips for putting your home up in lights.

Approach an agent

Send them photos of your house (without pets, children or yourself in them). It’s best to make a whole CD’s worth, so they get a comprehensive view of what you have to offer. 

Leading agencies include:

Creative England 

UKFilmLocations.com (0844 669 5245)

Location Works (0844 414 5505)

JJ Locations (020 7749 0500)

Play the field

It’s perfectly acceptable to be on more than one agent’s books.

Is Equity Release right for you? Find out more here

Don't worry if your home is a little plain or scruffy

Most agencies have properties classified under terms such as 'Down To Earth' or even 'Derelict' (fashion photographers love the contrast between rough brickwork and pretty clothes).

Always expect visitors

A production company may visit four or five times before deciding to hire your home. Don’t get tetchy – this is quite normal.

Be on hand to help

On filming day, the crew are bound to have questions: where are the power points, can they dismantle your garden fence?

Don’t get in the way

Keep out of the way of the cameras, and don’t get in the stars’ hair. They have lines to learn and jobs to do – they may not have time for a chat.

Get a contract

It should be made clear in the contract what the crew can and can’t do in your home and that they will restore your property to its original condition after filming. 

When the filming has stopped

You should still get paid. Most agencies charge 50% of the normal day rate for set-up and take-down days.

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