How to rent your Paris property as a movie location

Renting your apartment to a film company as a location or for a photo shoot can be rewarding. How do you go about it and what are the issues?

French daily Le Figaro reports that several specialist agencies act as go-betweens. They put movie producers directly in contact with property owners. Supply far exceeds demand but, if your property has that certain something, you could earn up to 3,000 euros per day.

Parisian apartments are top of the wish list but they don’t have to be top of the range. And, according to location search agencies, the interior is just as important as the exterior, especially the décor. The size of the property is more limiting. You need a salon of at least 40 m² and other rooms to house the film crew – sometimes up to 40 people – and their equipment. You also need high ceilings for shooting to take place easily. Parking space close by for the numerous vehicles is a plus.

You need to note the legal constraints, too. You must own your property and, in an apartment building, seek the written agreement of the conseil syndical (board of the co-owners’ association). A film crew can cause plenty of disruption, so you need to warn the neighbors.

If the production company is satisfied with the location after several visits, they will negotiate a contract. It’s important to specify the property’s condition before and after the shoot, especially if the company plans to alter the décor. Damage to the premises is another issue to consider and the production company should have adequate insurance to cover this. You should also clarify the nature of the movie or photo shoot to avoid potential embarrassment when it hits the screens. In most cases, the location search agency takes care of these aspects.

The fee you can expect varies according to the distinctiveness of your property and the type of production. For example, a publicity photo shoot might bring in between 800 and 1,000 euros per day. A movie shoot varies from 1,500 to 3,000 euros per day.

Owners of some exceptional properties can even live off the proceeds, apparently. But don’t give up the day job just yet.