Your questions answered
For Homeowner
Getting Started
How do I list my property for film and commercial rentals?
To list your property for film and photoshoots, we will first evaluate whether your home is suitable for set up. We will then arrange to come visit your home and meet you, your family and pets. We will bring our amazing photography team to come and photograph your spaces whilst we chat through our information sheet. This sheet covers every single question that bookers may ask when renting out your location. EG Rooms, Parking available and Rules. We will ensure you know how to mitigate damage and manage crew expectations, we hold your hand along the way.
Once we have completed the home consultation and we have received the edited photographs back, our team will get you listed with all our major contacts, upload to you the website, social media and include you in the monthly newsletter to all of our industry connections. We will then update you with all the information you need to know, including; a welcome pack, links to all of the above and any next steps.
Once these steps are completed, you will officially be a shoot location with Location Creation and ready to go!
What type of properties are most in demand for film shoots?
Typically, the most popular properties are modern homes located in London within the M25. They are usually light and spacious with owners that are flexible and accommodating. This excludes the few homes outside of the M25 that are quite grand and spectacular. Crews will be more willing to travel out for homes like this.
How do you select the right properties for each project?
Clients either come to us with a request for specific location houses or with specific location briefs.
If one suitable house is not available, then we will recommend the next best fit.
We will always ask for crew size, hours and budget.
What type of film or commercial projects do you cater to?
We provide locations for all sorts of film and photoshoots!
From small editorials that run for a few hours, to large film shoots that take over properties for weeks at a time.
Larger production location bookings involve larger amounts of equipment, disruption and are higher paying.
We also have properties likeBinfield CourtandGrand Country Housethat can cater to large jobs that take over the house. We have handled Bollywood and Netflix productions there.
How much can I earn by renting out my property for filming?
Still photo shoots pay less than film shoots. The general guidance is that the larger the cast, crew and take over of the house, the higher the rate.
There are some editorial companies that have very low budgets with no scope for negotiation. Generous content and exposure is seen as a fair pay off.
Renting out your home for film and photoshoots can earn you from £500-£10K. We aim to get our owners a minimum of £1K per job, depending on the variables such as crew size, level of disruption and shoot hours.
Some owners are happy to accept jobs with smaller budgets like magazine editorials and photoshoots with less crew.
At Location Creation, we know how the industry works and will always push for the best package possible.
Understanding The Filming Process
How far in advance will I know about a potential booking?
In all honesty, location bookings can be quite unpredictable and sometimes can be just days before.
How do recces work?
Production companies or end clients may ask to visit your Location to assess suitability.
Recce time is unpaid (unless numerous additional visits are required on larger projects).
An initial recce may be a location scout or production team member. Sometimes followed up by a director’s recce. Recces usually take about fifteen to thirty minutes.
A tech recce usually means you are the confirmed Location choice. A larger team attends for two to three hours to work through the logistical issues, art intentions, and electrical and lighting requirements. You can let them in and leave them to it.
Someone needs to be present for recces, it can be a friend, neighbour, cleaner or older child if the Owner is not around. Location Creation can do this but will charge an Attendance Fee and will require keys and details of alarm codes.
The Location does not need to be “shoot ready” for a recce, they just want to see the spaces and rooms in person.
It is worth making time for recces as it helps with consideration for other briefs as location managers and scouts work across the industry.
For larger jobs the recce team may be working on a multi-location schedule and delays frequently happen with traffic and time overruns. Please be patient and as flexible as possible!
If we have them we share contact details for you and the recce team so you can contact each other directly if they are late or lost.
What types of shoot can I expect?
Editorial: Photographs for magazines and newspapers. Paid by publishers and have lower budgets.
Advertising: Stills and videos for campaigns and catalogues. Larger crew and larger pay.
Film: TV and film. Larger shoots with more equipment and requirements. Larger productions, larger amount of disruption and higher paid.
Will the shoot require my entire house?
Assume the shoot is going to require the entire space, as photographed, unless otherwise agreed.
This can exclude rooms e.g. home office space and children’s bedrooms.
Can I still live in my property during the shoot?
Large film shoots can run across multiple days and weeks. If filming takes place in your house over weeks or months, they will cover costs for you to move out temporarily (with prior arrangement). These jobs are higher disruption and higher paying, usually for Netflix, Apple, Bollywood and the like.
Smaller shoots from online platforms can ask for as low as four hours.
Do I have to be present during the shoot?
Someone needs to be there to let the team for the film shoot hire in and out. Shoots then generally want minimal owner presence as it is a professionally hired shoot space.
Sometimes exclusive access is required, but this will all be detailed beforehand in the location rental agreement.
How long do film or commercial shoots usually last?
A typical film shoot day will be twelve hours, usually 8am-8pm. It will never exceed twelve hours a day and we do not like to let shoots in before 8am as it disrupts neighbours.
If crews need to drop off or collect kit outside of full shoot days it will be organised and communicated in advance.
Protecting Property & Managing Risk
How do you ensure my property is protected during filming?
Opening your home to shoot use means that some wear and tear is unavoidable.
Please do rest assured that EVERY shoot that comes into your house will have their own public liability insurance.
We do recommend to our owners that they film around the house and film areas before crew arrival in case there is any damage and we need before and after photos.
Damage must be pointed out and recorded on the shoot day or as soon as possible. Please also check your own home insurance.
What happens if something gets damaged during filming?
Opening your home to film location hire use means that some wear and tear is unavoidable.
Each film shoot is covered with their own Public Liability Insurance, which they use for any damage caused.
Damage must be pointed out and recorded on the shoot hire day, or as soon as possible.
Please also check your own home insurance
How do you ensure minimal disruption to my neighbours?
When we visit and onboard your house, sensitive neighbours are discussed. Leading up to location shoot days, we will also remind you to notify your neighbours.
For large filming jobs the location managers organise this, and local councils are also made aware.
What happens if a film crew cancels at the last minute?
Unfortunately sometimes this will happen. It can be due to extreme cases or talent pulling out.
In most cases, the location shoot will simply be postponed. Please try to be flexible in these circumstances.
Payments & Legal Considerations
How and when will I get paid?
All finance questions and matters go tofinance@locationcreation.co.uk. All payments occur on Finance Fridays and should be with you within a week. If longer (some jobs are on thirty day terms) we will let you know.
When there is a big film shoot there tends to be extra expenses which might add a delay, which we will do our best to keep you up to date on.
What about Tax?
Income from shoots is treated as your personal revenue. Your costs for setting up and running shoots (e.g. post shoot cleaning, tea, coffee, mugs, loo rolls) can be offset against the revenue from the shoots for your personal tax purposes.
This must be properly and reasonably incurred in relation to the shoots.
Are there any restrictions on the type of film content filmed in my home?
When we onboard a new location house, we ask owners what restrictions they have for their homes.
For example, some homes with children will not be suitable for glamour shoots.
Location Creation does not associate with adult filming.
After Shoots
Do you handle the cleaning after the shoot?
Shoots that run over multiple days will be charged for a cleaning fee.
Shorter location hire shoots will vary depending on the owners preference.
How can I get feedback or reviews after a project?
We always ask clients for feedback after shoots.
We also ask owners for any feedback and damages on the day.
For Location Managers
Finding & Booking Location Houses
Do you offer bespoke location scouting services for unique briefs?
Yes! Save yourself the time and let us find the perfect location for your shoot. We locate, you create. It’s almost like we named ourselves after it.
You can also search our location library of over one hundred properties across the uk.
Can I do a location recce in person before confirming a booking?
Yes our properties are available for location recces and tech recces.
Please note a tech recce will incur a fee, as they are longer and more cumbersome than a regular recce.
What is your process for securing exclusivity on a location?
Location Creation currently does not have any exclusive locations. We set up properties across all agencies for the best possibility of getting jobs. But if you have the budget, let’s talk.
What options do you have for properties with specific architectural styles (e.g. period, industrial)?
Our location library is mostly residential properties, and they vary greatly in architectural style inside and out.
We also have some commercial studios, nightclubs, and schools. These location properties also range from modern to period styles.
Get in touch with your specific requests and we would be happy to help you choose the right spot.
Do you offer bundled services for multiple locations in one booking?
No. It’s no less work for us!
High Profile & Special Requests
What sets your service apart from other location agencies?
At Location Creation, we visit all of our home owners to personally meet them, their family and pets!
We manage everything for owners from: expectations, promotion, shoot enquiries and bookings, contracts and damage. Everything except the weather on the day, essentially. We know all the right questions to ask creative clients so that production can run smoothly.
We work closely with our owners to ensure every location is fully prepared for shoots. Gillian has over twenty years of industry knowledge and experience, renting out her home Deerhurst Road as a location property. She has made all the mistakes so owners do not have to.
Can you provide a portfolio of similar properties that have been used for high-profile shoots?
Absolutely. Our team can hand pick filming locations for creatives depending on their requirements. This saves them a lot of time as our team know our properties in depth.
What is your typical lead time for securing a popular or high-demand location?
This is very variable.
Some of our most popular shoot locations can be hard to secure as they get booked up for shoots and sometimes airbnb stays.
If the house you are looking for is not available, you will get a second option. We will also let you know when your first choice film location is next available.
Do you offer packages that include accommodation for crew members?
A lot of our location houses are available for ‘shoot and stay’, which can be organised within the booking process.
For example, Netflix may need to take over a house for filming weeks at a time and have crew stay nearby.
Managing Shoot Location Logistics & Requirements
How flexible are you with booking extensions or unexpected overruns?
We are quite flexible with extended hours at our location houses, so long as we agree with the client and our owners are paid for it. Clear and consistent communication with the location manager or crew in charge is vital for us.
Do you provide on-site support during filming or photoshoots?
Yes. If an owner can not be there for shoot day, then sometimes they will have one of our team open and lock up the house for them for an additional fee. There will be continuous support online and via phone, throughout the shoot process.
Are there restrictions on modifying interiors or exteriors during the shoot?
Any restrictions on decorating and modification of the location house will be discussed during the booking process.
Some homes have more restrictions than others due to personal preference, or restrictions from the council.
If a home is decorated for a shoot, then it should be returned back to the original state unless agreed otherwise.
Can your team assist with acquiring necessary filming permits?
Filming permits are organised through the Local Councils Film office. This is normally the Location Managers responsibility.
If you’re reading this you might be less experienced or perhaps a junior team member doing the leg work. If that’s the case hello, you’re doing great, and you can always call us if it’s easier.
What amenities and facilities do your properties typically offer (e.g., parking, power access)?
All Location Creation properties have parking available, access to power/wifi, tea and coffee stations, hair and makeup areas, and have someone onsite to let crew in and out and handle communication.
Some of our houses offer ‘shoot and stay’ for long running or out of London shoots.
Some of our houses are available for certain events. No, we will not be more specific, it’ll come up as needed. Please call us for more information!
How do you handle last-minute changes or additional requirements?
We always have someone on enquiries duty for quick responses. We are there to guide home owners through the shoot process, including on the day reminders and any changes.
Do your properties come with power capacity information for larger equipment needs?
If a film shoot requires a large capacity and electricity usage, we will let you know if there is 3phase power or if you’ll need to bring extra generators.
How do you manage logistical challenges in remote or restricted-access locations?
We make sureeveryone(the house owner and shoot crew) is aware of any and limitations prior to the shoot.
There is always someone onsite for the shoot, unless asked otherwise.
Security, Privacy & Compliance
Can I request a closed set or private booking for confidentiality?
Yes, a film location can be booked in advance as a vacant space with no owner present.
In this case an NDA is typically signed prior to booking. This ensures no sensitive information is disclosed without permission.
How do you coordinate with local authorities to ensure compliance with regulations?
Location Creation maintains contact with location managers who correspond with the local councils and authorities for film location shoots.
We ensure contracts are signed prior to shoots.
Are there preferred or vetted vendors for catering, security, or transport?
No, shoots often organise their own catering, security and transport.
We can provide information on the best local cafes and supermarkets for all of our location houses.