New Filming Location Services: How London Landlords Can Tap Into TV and Film Rental Opportunities

Why Carter Jonas’s New Filming Location Services Matter to Landlords

The UK’s TV, film, and photography industries continue to grow, with London and surrounding areas frequently used for location shoots. Carter Jonas’s new Filming Location Services team provides landlords with a streamlined route to rent out their properties for these short-term filming or event projects. This service covers residential, rural, industrial, and specialist properties, managing everything from marketing to reinstatement after filming.

For London landlords, this represents a practical way to unlock additional income from underused spaces without the long-term commitment of traditional lettings. Given the typically short duration of shoots, these rentals can fit into gaps between tenancies or alongside existing agreements—if managed carefully.

Understanding the Compliance and Contractual Landscape

Before renting a property for filming or production use, landlords must review existing tenancy agreements. Many standard residential leases restrict commercial use or subletting, so explicit clauses permitting filming or short-term commercial use should be in place or negotiated with tenants.

Safety and licensing compliance is crucial. Properties must meet fire safety, health and safety, and insurance requirements suitable for production activities, which can involve additional risk assessments. For example, if equipment or crew will be on site, landlords should verify that their insurance covers this or that the production company provides adequate indemnity.

Local authority permissions may also be required, especially for rural or industrial properties or if filming impacts neighbours or public spaces. Letting agents managing these arrangements should provide clear guidance to landlords and coordinate with production companies to ensure all permissions and conditions are met.

What This Means for Different Landlord Profiles

• Single-Unit Landlords: If your property is vacant or you can obtain tenant consent, short-term filming rentals can generate a useful supplementary income. Ensure tenancy agreements are updated and that you work with a specialist agent to handle logistics.

• HMO Landlords: Filming in HMOs is more complex due to multiple tenants and shared spaces. It may be feasible only in communal areas or during vacancy periods. Consult legal advice and consider tenant impact carefully.

• Portfolio Landlords: You can diversify income streams by marketing suitable properties across your portfolio, especially those with distinctive features attractive to productions. Engaging a specialist filming location service helps manage the operational complexity.

• Accidental Landlords: If you have a property that is empty or underused, this could be a low-effort way to generate income. However, check your mortgage and insurance terms before proceeding.

Practical Steps Landlords Should Take Now

1. Review Tenancy Agreements: Check for clauses about filming, commercial use, or subletting. Where absent, discuss potential amendments with tenants.

2. Assess Property Suitability: Identify if your property’s location, style, and condition make it attractive for filming. Features like period details, open spaces, or industrial character can be appealing.

3. Engage a Specialist Agent: Contact Carter Jonas’s Filming Location Services or similar teams to explore marketing options. They provide end-to-end management to minimise landlord workload.

4. Check Compliance: Verify safety standards, insurance coverage, and any local authority requirements. Request documentation from production companies for their insurance and risk assessments.

5. Establish Communication Protocols: Set clear points of contact with agents and production crews. Agree on logistics, access times, and reinstatement responsibilities.

6. Plan for Reinstatement: Ensure contracts specify the condition the property must be returned in and inspection procedures.

Next Steps for London Landlords

In the coming weeks, schedule a tenancy agreement review and property suitability assessment. Reach out to specialist filming location agents to understand market demand and potential income. Consider consulting your insurance broker about coverage for filming activities. If you manage multiple properties, prioritise those likely to attract production interest.

How Rentals & Sales Can Support Your Filming Location Strategy

Our expert team can conduct a portfolio review to identify properties suitable for filming rentals, audit tenancy agreements for compliance gaps, and advise on insurance and safety considerations. We also offer pricing strategy support to help you capitalise on this niche market effectively.

Compliance Note: This article provides general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Landlords should consult qualified professionals to ensure all tenancy, insurance, and regulatory obligations are fully met when renting properties for filming or production use.