Here’s How to Rent Your Home for Movies (2024)

• Why rent your home for movies?
• What kind of houses are filmmakers looking for?
• Do you have to live in Los Angeles to rent your home for movies?
• How much money can you make by renting your home as a filming location?
• Learn more about popular home rentals on Peerspace
• How do I use Peerspace to list my home as a filmmaking location?
• I’ve got an offer! What should I expect when the crew shows up?

Wondering how to rent your home for the movies? It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds! While seeing your family home up on the big screen may seem like an impossible dream, making it happen is actually surprisingly easy.

With Peerspace, not only is it possible to rent out your home for movies, it can be extremely lucrative. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, filmmakers rely on our platform to discover real homes in cities across the globe to rent for their productions. As a homeowner interested in renting out your space for movies, you simply list your space and earn passive income any time a production rents it.

If you’re researching this topic, it’s safe to say you agree that nothing captures our imagination quite like the movies with all the glitz, glamour, and filmmaking magic. Once a location lights up the silver screen, it’s immortalized forever. Read on to learn how you can transform your family home into a movie star, turning your 15 minutes of fame into some sweet, sweet pocket money.

Why rent your home for movies?

First of all, why rent your home for the movies in the first place? Isn’t it a ton of work on your part?

There are lots of reasons why you might want to rent your home out for a movie. And the work you put into your home to make it more appealing to filmmakers is entirely up to you (more on that ahead).

So what are some of the reasons you may want to rent your home for moves? Here are some of the perks homeowners tell us when they list their home on Peerspace and that might appeal to you, too:

• Maybe you’d like to see a famous actor hanging out in your living room.
• Perhaps you have a home with a truly distinct vibe that you want to show off.
• Maybe the film industry interests you and you’d like to be a part of it.
• Or, maybe you just want a little extra cash to use for future renovations.

Whatever your reason, it’s possible to make your dream a reality with a bit of determination. We’ll get that ahead. Next, we’ll share what filmmakers are looking for when they set out to rent a home for their productions.

Not ready to pack up and leave for a production? That’s okay! Discover how to instead rent part of your home.

What kind of houses are filmmakers looking for?

Nothing says “authentic” quite like filming in a real home. When budgets are tight on an indie film project, renting out a real home for shooting is more economical than building a custom set. Directors and producers are constantly on the lookout for photogenic homes that fit the premise of their stories.

Not sure your home would appeal to a filmmaker? Not so fast!

Here’s how a filmmaker may see your home:

• A grand colonial home trimmed with historic details is perfect for a period piece.
• On the other hand, a rustic mansion in the woods is the ideal home for an eccentric genius.
• A suburban bungalow with a white picket fence could be home-sweet-home for the girl next door. 
• A home with an office space can be the best setting for a work-from-home mom.

You get the picture! All kinds of houses are in high demand in the film industry. And If you think that your home is too “normal” to rent out for a movie, think again. Hundreds of “normal” or modest homes have risen to fame after being featured in famous movies or TV shows, like Walter White’s New Mexico abode in Breaking Bad.

Sometimes, a touch of the ordinary is exactly what a moviemaker needs to create extraordinary circumstances.

Have a studio set up in your home? Here are creative ways to earn money off it!

Do you have to live in Los Angeles to rent your home for movies?

Nope! While LA is home to Hollywood and some of the biggest film productions in the United States, it’s not the only place in the world where people make movies are television series. There are thriving film industries in cities like New York, Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, and more.

Independent filmmakers are scattered all across the globe, and they’re always on the lookout for authentic homes where they can bring their artistic visions to life.

While you may not see as much action on your listing as you would in a significant filmmaking city, you can still attract smaller indie projects or commercial gigs to your home with the proper marketing. When you list your home on Peerspace, you can not only attract filmmakers and other creatives through your very own Peerspace listing page; your home may also be featured on Peerspace’s social media sites or in one of our resource blogs (like this one!) Renting out your space through Peerspace helps put your property in front of thousands of eyes.

Ahead, we discuss what you’re no doubt wondering by now: how much money can this make me?

Also, learn how to rent out your vacation home here!

How much money can you make by renting your home as a filming location?

So how much money can you make by listing your home as a filming location? While rates can vary depending on your home’s size and location, you can earn some serious cash even by renting your home out for a single day. In a popular filming city, you can start by listing your home anywhere from $100 – $300 per hour. That’s as much as $1,200 – $3,600 for a 12-hour shooting session!

If that seems like a staggering number, it’s actually relatively modest for a budget filmmaker, considering that the alternative is building a set for hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the film industry, it’s standard to pay the homeowner their monthly mortgage payment for every day of filming.

If the crew wants to film for a week or longer, you could be looking at a serious payday of $10,000 or more, depending on your hourly rate. How much do other Peerspace homeowners charge per hour? And what do they do to make their listings stand out? Let’s examine these topics ahead.

Sound like something you’d like to get in on? Awesome. Now all you have to do is list your home on Peerspace. 

Learn more about popular home rentals on Peerspace

Sometimes, all you need is a little inspiration to get started on a project. And that’s exactly what this section is all about! We’ll share listings of popular production rentals on Peerspace that just happen to be real homes owned by real people like you.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• This luxurious and spacious estate in North Scottsdale, AZ (pictured above) is 5,500 square feet and currently lists for $550 per hour.
• This boho scenic sanctuary in Malibu, CA is 5,005 square feet and currently lists for $400 per hour
• This colorful family production home in London, UK is 1,001 square feet and currently lists for £186 per hour.
• This modern home with a rooftop deck in Atlanta, GA is 2,000 square feet and currently lists for $100 per hour.
• This home for production in West Pennant Hills, New South Wales, Australia that’s 6,400 square feet and currently lists for $250 per hour.
• This Scandinavian Queen Anne home in Seattle, WA is 2,002 square feet and currently lists for $150 per hour.
• This luxe Madison Avenue greystone mansion in Manhattan, NYC is 2,989 square feet and currently lists for $450 per hour.
• This colorful spacious home in Toronto, ON is 2,497 square feet and currently lists for CA$150 per hour.
• This grace French manor home and garden in Glenview, IL is 4,295 square feet and currently lists for $175 per hour.

You get the picture! As you can see, the types of homes, locations, and prices vary widely. Ahead, we’ll discuss how you too can use Peerspace to list your home as a filmmaking location.

How do I use Peerspace to list my home as a filmmaking location?

It’s easy to rent your home for movies! Follow these steps to make your Hollywood dreams a reality:

Read through your local zoning ordinances

First, check out your state or city’s local laws on zoning for filming, and make sure you’re clear about using your home in film productions. When in doubt, contact a local representative or a legal professional to ensure you’re good to go.

Familiarize yourself with Peerspace

Peerspace is the easiest way to list your property for production use. First, check out our website to see how other homes in your location or beyond have set up their listings. This can give you inspiration in terms of pricing, wording used to describe a space, and how to showcase your home’s special features.

You can also comb through reviews renters have left other homes. That way, you know what Peerspace users have liked and disliked about a space, which may affect how you tailor your listing and what you offer renters.

Then, create a free Peerspace account and verify your identity. Once your account is approved, it’s time to snap some Hollywood-worthy pics of your space.

Take at least one dozen photos and ensure they’re in high-definition. Be as thorough as possible here since you never know what may catch an artist’s eye. The best pictures we see are by professional photographers since they best understand scale, etc. Consider hiring a local real estate photographer to take your home’s photos to ensure it is shown in the best possible light, literally.

Describe your home thoroughly

Next, you’ll want to write up a winning script for your listing’s description. This should include all the spaces available for filming, as well as any extra details. Make sure to highlight all the benefits of your gorgeous home and showcase precisely why a film crew would be lucky to set up shop on your property.

Remember to specify limits for crew sizes if you don’t want large groups of people in your house. You can offer an edge over your competition by providing rentals for professional equipment or by offering discounts for smaller production crews or longer filming hours. 

Set your rate

Not 100% sure what hourly rate to charge prospective renters using your home as a film production location? That’s totally understandable! You want to make it financially worth your while without setting too high a price to attract location scouts.

Again, this is also where familiarizing yourself with Peerspace and exploring other film production locations near you is beneficial. What do these spaces charge? How do they compare to your home in terms of size and amenities?

You may not know precisely how popular these other homes are, although as we said, you may get some indication by reading their reviews.

Along with the price per hour, you’ll notice that rental properties on Peerspace set a rental minimum in terms of time, usually two to three hours. This is another factor you’ll want to consider for your home, the minimum number of hours a film crew can rent your home. For productions, four to eight hours is average, with music video shoots probably only on the shorter end of that spectrum, and feature films on the longer end of the spectrum per day.

Costs to factor in

As you figure out your hourly rate, it’s helpful to put into perspective what the film crew will use during their shoot. Besides the space itself, they will likely need to use your electricity, water, and other utilities.

Plus, you need to factor in the cost of your own relocation, if applicable. It’s a lot to consider, but with a bit of contemplating and homework, you should be able to nail the perfect hourly or day rate for your home!

Get ready to go live!

After you’ve set your hourly rate, remember to tag your listing in the “Production” category so that filmmakers can find your photogenic abode in searches. Once your listing goes live, all you have to do is wait for your starlet home to get discovered. 

Love your home as it is? Here are 8 ways to make money from your space without lifting a finger!

I’ve got an offer! What should I expect when the crew shows up?

First of all, congratulations! You’re probably feeling over the moon now that your big-screen dreams are about to become a reality. Understandably, you’re probably a mix of excited and nervous. You want to be a great host and you want your home to be the perfect setting. This starts with having a few questions answered.

Here are a few questions you should discuss with the production company as you hammer out the details.

Can I stick around during the production?

Some directors prefer to work in total privacy. Others may be all right with letting you stick around to watch. You can work out whether or not you’ll be present during the booking stage. This is also a good time to discuss what you and your household members should expect when the film crew shows up.

Will my home be altered during filming?

Film crews know to be respectful and courteous when filming on location. While the director may wish to bring in set pieces or rearrange furniture items to get the right shot, you should expect everything in your home to be as it was after they pack up shop. It’s not unusual for everything to be in even better condition than when you left it!

What if something winds up damaged?

If an accident does happen, you can expect a reputable production company to compensate you for the damage. And you can always count on Peerspace’s $1,000,000 insurance policy to have your back, too. Learn more about our special Peace of Mind policy so you know your home is always in good hands.

Not sure how to use that extra room? Discover how to set up a photography studio to maximize your home’s production value!

How to rent your home for movies: conclusion

You adore your home and want to see it in the movies. We appreciate your passion and your entrepreneurial spirit and are happy to support you in any way we can!

Using Peerspace is the fastest way to list your home as a movie shoot location and get results, and is easy to use. Simply follow the steps we outlined above and you’ll be well on your way to the start of your family home’s amazing acting career. Good thing it’s got you as an agent! 

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