HOW TO RENT YOUR HOME FOR FILMING IN THE UK
Renting your home for filming can seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it can be a profitable and exciting experience. In this blog guide, we'll walk you through the process of renting your home for filming in the UK, from finding a location brokerage, to fees and more. By following these steps, you can successfully navigate the process and turn your property into a filming hotspot. So let's get started!
Key Points
Don’t think your house isn’t “nice” enough for film and TV - There needs to be all types of homes to house all types of stories.
Being a film location owner isn’t for everyone.
Consider space, noise and accessibility.
The UK alone has about 75 location agencies, libraries and one location brokerage.
The standard percentage most location agents will take is 20% on every booking -This can vary so read the fine print.
There should not be a sign up fee or listing fee.
Most shoot houses in London can expect to receive between £1200 - £2500 per 8-10 hour shoot day if filming for commercials, TV and/or feature films with established production companies.
Smaller photoshoots, short films and some music videos, usually pay between £600 - £1500 per 8 - 10 hour shoot day.
You may have to wait a while for a booking - the right production will come at the right time.
You will be protected by location agreements, public indemnity insurance and deposits .
You have the last say on whether to accept or decline a booking.
How to become a location owner for Film - a step by step guide
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You may think that the biggest consideration is whether your home is “nice” enough to lend itself to the big screen, however this is rarely an issue. Just as there must be all types of actors to play all types of roles, there needs to be all types of homes to house all types of stories. What you should ultimately focus on, when initially deciding whether to pursue film location hosting, is whether you have the type of laissez-faire disposition to handle maybe 100+ people taking over your living space for several days or even months. There is no doubt that the financial gain of high impact shoots, makes this compromise fiscally attractive, but would you be comfortable with strangers using your home for their filming needs and the potential wear and tear which may come with it? There are always contracts, insurance and agreements in place to protect the owner from damage, and most film crews are extremely professional, however some of us are not cut out for the possible stress of it and that is absolutely fine!
If you are someone who accepts the potential risks, then the only other question you need to ask yourself, is whether you have the capacity to respond to enquiries in a timely manner and whether your availability for shoots is practical. There’s no use going to all the trouble of listing your home with a broker or agent, if you are regularly decline bookings. As the old adage goes, time is money in the movie biz and things move fast, so the more reliable you are, the better bookings you will receive.
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Although it is true that nearly any location can be a film location, the major constraints for shooting are space, noise and accessibility. No matter what style of home you have, if the film crew cannot adequately manoeuvre to take the shots and angles they need, then your space may prove impractical for shoots. As a general rule of thumb, rooms which are a minimum of 20sqm and have reasonable ceiling height are suitable for filming, of course this varies per production needs and what works for a low impact photoshoot will be different for a large scale Netflix drama.
A big one for filming is noise, if you are situated next to a very loud motorway, air path or happen to have a lot of nearby construction going on, then this could likely interfere with production needs. Again, shoots which require little to no sound recording will not be affected by this limitation, but it is important that any such noise is made clear to production companies ahead of booking.
Lastly, but equally as important, you must assess your accessibility options. You may have the most amazing beachside property in the South of France, perfect for filming, but if the only access is through a remote 2km garden path that can only be done on foot and in single file, then production companies are not going to be happy lugging all their equipment on a hot Summer’s day. How can film crews access your home? Can large vehicle park on your property or nearby? Is there lift access? How many stairs will the cameras need to be carried up? All things to consider when deciding whether you home is suitable for filming and also what you need to let those in the industry know before booking your house.
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Back in the day, home owners would go directly to location scouts in the pursuit of promoting their home for filming, however these days your best bet is to register your place with a location broker or agent. The UK alone has about 75 film location agencies and libraries (but only 1 brokerage). The benefits of going through these companies, is that it gives your location direct and instant access to the vast number of location managers, scouts and production companies currently scouring the market for the perfect home for their next brief. Beyond that, the administration, contracts, marketing and overall management of your home for filming opportunities is largely taken care of depending on each company’s policies and protocols. The location owner will always have the last say when it comes to accepting a booking and its terms and conditions, however the broker will ensure the production goes smoothly so that you can ultimately sit back, relax and wait to see your laundry room on ITV.
Things to consider when choosing a broker or agent, is how much commission they take, whether you have to list exclusively with them and how much you are expected to spend for location photography. The standard percentage most location agents will take is 20% on every booking, however you must check the fine print, as different platforms may tout different rates. It is not normal for location agencies to charge a sign up fee or ongoing listing fees, if you encounter this, then consider another company. Naturally, should you pursue to market your own house for filming outside of the agency model, you will be able to retain all the profits, however it comes at the potential cost of not having access to the film industry and securing bookings, or having the necessary know-how to navigate contracts, insurance and client demands.
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Before you can list your space for filming, you will need to have a portfolio of high quality images that show off your home in its best light for production opportunities. Most agencies will have either an in-house photographer or will be able to suggest people with whom they prefer to work. Some may allow you to photograph your property yourself, which is also very achievable, however care must be taken to prepare your house accordingly (no mess, best lighting etc.) and you must capture as many useful photos as possible that showcase the various rooms you wish to put forth for filming and from various angles. If your house looks particularly atmospheric in the evening then throwing in night shots will not harm your chances, while if your property sports a large garden, pool or view, then looking into drone footage only encourages the attractiveness of your home.
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Due to the nature of filming, payouts can vary depending on the individual demands of a production. If with an agency, some companies may set a rate card for your home, whereby there is a standard day hire fee, that increases depending on production constraints (number of people, hours, modifications to the house, spaces being used etc.). This will often be negotiated on behalf of the location owner to ensure that the production is able to work within their budgets, while the owner is able to receive a reasonable payout depending on shoot demands.
Other agencies or brokers, won’t have set rate cards per location, but will work to production company allowances, while maintaining the interests of their location owners. This allows more flexibility for owners to decide whether they want to accommodate smaller churn bookings during slower weeks, without automatically declining smaller enquiries on the behalf of owners due to rate cards not being met.
Most shoot houses in London can expect to receive between £1200 - £2500 per 8-10 hour shoot day if filming for commercials, TV and/or feature films with established production companies. Shoots which are lower impact, such as smaller photoshoots, short films and some music videos, usually pay between £600 - £1500 per 8 - 10 hour shoot day.
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Once signed with an agency (or more) and after your photography, videography, house info and contact details have been collected for your home’s film location listing(s), it will be time to wait and see what comes through your inbox. Depending on the market and the specifics of your space, this could take many months, or you could have a space which is perfect for current industry tastes and you find you are being approached weekly with shoot enquiries. Whatever your situation, don’t be disheartened as the right production will come at the right time.
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Ideally, when your broker reaches out with a new enquiry, you should be presented with all the details as to when, what type of production, how many days/hours, pertinent details and the location fee/production budget on offer. Not all enquiries can offer such comprehensive details at the first contact, as is often the case with larger productions, location scouting can take place many months before filming commences and so initial enquiries may only be to see whether the location has availability and/or interest. Should you be keen to accommodate and the production company choose to move forward, the next step will be to recce.
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When your home has been optioned for a production, location managers, directors and/or production companies may likely choose to arrange a visit where they can see your space in 3D and truly decide whether it will be creatively suitable for the realisation of their projects. This is called a recce and not only gives the industry an opportunity to see your home, but also to meet you and see whether you will be the type of owner who can be reliable and easy to work with. Recces usually take no longer than an hour, and it is encouraged that you prepare your home in its best light for their arrival so that they can be truly wowed by your space. That being said, when you know you know, and creatives will be able to tell pretty quickly if your space is what they need.
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Should the production company proceed with your house for their project, then location agreements, public indemnity insurance, deposits and invoices need to be raised and received. Your broker will be able to manage all of these aspects to ensure you are legally protected against damage and the breaking of any house rules, while securing your location fee in a timely manner (usually before the shoot, but not always).
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On the day of the shoot, depending on the demands, you will likely be encouraged to make yourself scarce while filming takes place. It is important that you present your house as the production company expected it upon booking and provide ample information as to wifi access, toilets, water and where cast and crew can park. If you have any specific house rules (shoes off, floor protection, no modifications etc.) then these should be made clear to your broker and/or production company ahead of shooting.
As an act of courtesy and in some cases, legally, always ask whether you are permitted to shoot any BTS on the day and what you are permitted to do with it. Some productions will require you to sign NDAs ahead of shoots, where there will be a strict no photo/filming rule, whereas others may allow you to post after the final product has been released or even throughout the day. Just ask!
Once the shoot has wrapped, make sure to check the spaces in use for any damage, so your agent or you can collect this accordingly.
In conclusion, renting your home for filming can be a rewarding experience, whether you're looking to earn some extra income or simply have the opportunity to showcase your property. With a few simple steps, you can turn your space into a filming hotspot and experience the thrill of hosting a production crew. Remember to be accommodating and flexible throughout the filming process, and to read and understand all contracts before signing. With the right approach and a bit of preparation, renting your home for filming can be a memorable and profitable experience.
