How you can make thousands by renting out your home as a film location in the ultimate side hustle

Savvy homeowners are raking in thousands of dollars a day by putting their home to work in this clever and rather glamorous strategy.

Homeowners are raking in thousands by making their homes available as TV or film sets. Picture: A Perfect Space

With mortgage repayments soaring, savvy homeowners are putting their homes to work and raking in thousands of dollars a day renting their homes out as locations for film, television and advertising campaigns – and it’s not just luxury homes that are getting the gigs.

A HUMBLE ABODE

Four years ago, A Perfect Space host Amanda Mullins was surprised to find a letter in her mailbox asking if she would rent out her “modest family home” for filming.

Since then, her home has appeared in a range of TV commercials that have earnt her $2500-$3500 per one-day shoot.

Stephanie Grey has listed her home on Set Book as a TV, film or advertising location. Picture: Set Book

“It’s good money and you’re using an asset you’ve already got,” she says, adding you can make more on longer productions.

“A friend of mine, who has got more of a luxury house, made more than $20,000 on a TV mini series that shot at her home for quite a few days.”

RISE OF THE SIDE HUSTLE

PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty says interest rate hikes and cost of living pressures have pushed many people to consider alternative income streams.

“Back in April 2022, one month before the Reserve Bank began hiking interest rates, owner-occupier variable rates were sitting at a low of 2.86 per cent,” she says.

“Based on the average loan size at this time, this equated to annual repayments of around $17,500. Fast forward to July 2023 and the average owner-occupier with a variable rate will have seen their repayments jump to almost $40,000 per year – an annual rise of around $20,000.”

Time warp homes are in demand, like this one listed on Set Book. Picture: Set Book

Pure Locations founder and chief executive Michelle McCormac says many clients have built a side hustle by listing their homes; using earnings to put kids through university, conceive through IVF and travel the world. Others have quit jobs in favour of making their home regularly available.

“For your average homeowner it can get them a family holiday,” she says.

“Some people say they prefer to do this with us than have their house on Airbnb,” she says. “It doesn’t become a party house.”

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Screen NSW Destination Attraction senior manager Mark Lazarus recommends doing some research before listing your home as a location.

Behind the scenes at a production shot at a Set Book host's house. Picture: Set Book

“We recommend that you speak with a locations scout or company to find out what is usually required,” he says. “The fees involved vary due to the scale of a production and the duration of the shoot.”

In other words, what an independent filmmaker is willing to pay for the use of your home will be different to what a production house or advertising agency will pay. And the rate will also depend on whether the whole house is being used, with photo shoots typically paying less than a filmed campaign.

There are a range of location scouts across Australia. While some charge commissions, either as a flat rate or a percentage that varies from job to job, others charge the production teams separately for their services. Platforms such as Screen NSW’s Reel Scout and Skoutli let you list your home for free in a similar way to Airbnb while other companies offer a management service for their hosts that include a vetting process.

A Perfect Space listed home 'The Spruce' in St Kilda East was used Space for an episode of Fox Sports with Tigers’ player. Picture: A Perfect Space

Many require the property owner to sign a tri-party contract per shoot making it unsuitable for renters.

The way shoots are organised vary from company to company, with some offering a professional clean before handing the home back. One thing they all agree on is making sure adequate insurance is in place for all parties.

It is possible to list your home with more than one company and most recommend you organise professional photographs for the listing.

Set Book host Stephanie Grey says while it can be challenging to get her four kids out of the house early on a shoot day, it’s well worth the disruption.

Production companies like homes with character. Picture: Set Book

“I find it easy but not everyone would,” she says. “You do need to be organised and have your home in pretty good presentation each time.”

KNOW YOUR PROPERTY

A Perfect Space CEO Kate Tiller says producers look for locations with a look and feel that matches their campaign. The company offers a diversity of locations from the humble to the luxurious – though size definitely counts.

“We did a McCain’s ad last week and it was all about getting three cameras into a living space,” she says.

Sach Australia location manager Val Balint Halmagyi says many of briefs they receive are for “middle class” homes that are spacious enough to fit a camera crew.

“The advertising industry considers middle class to be a bit more affluent most of the time,” he says. “Although, in saying that, an average three-bedroom home in NSW is usually suitable for a film shoot.”

It’s good to have a home with plenty of space. Picture: Set Book

Set Book managing director Natasje Garbers says even time-warp homes in need of renovation are in demand.

“We tend to focus on real homes,” she says. “There’s one in particular where she has had 10-12 bookings. (The) house is just straight out of the ’70s. Creatives absolutely love it because it’s got character.”

Location is another important factor.

“If you’re looking at the advertising or digital industry, where there are about 8500 agencies in Australia, those agencies are very central around the key metro areas and eastern seaboard,” Tiller says.

“Whereas film and television projects love the regions.”