ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

8 years, 7 months ago - John Lubran

What are the specific terms of agreement when hiring a space with Airbnb?

The position in law is open to interpretation. I don't recall a Supreme Court decision yet! Regardless of which, distributors often want everything seen or heard in a film to be vouched safe from any litigation, usually by reference to written agreements and/or releases. Whether or not any lawful default right might be asserted regardless of such releases won't help if distributors absolutely demand them.

8 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

As long as all parties agree and you're insured, there needn't be a problem. AirBnB, like most "sharing economy" American startups, will shirk all responsibility for anything, so it's really between you and the owner. Technically that should probably be the leaseholder and freeholder, BTW, although you can likely get away with it if the freeholder doesn't find out... Much of London is owned by a few estates who manage areas on 99 or 999 year leases. For instance the *fields* at Tyburn (now Marble Arch) were held for livestock by one landowner, and as London grew, so he developed it incrementally. That factoid was irrelevant, just there to illustrate that property ownership in London isn't always obvious!

Assuming all parties agree, and a fee is paid, there's no issue with getting a location release signed and filming there. The key is getting all parties to agree and having sufficient insurance to cover rebuilding a house if one of your crew sets it alight (or a suitable waiver clause, both ideally)

8 years, 7 months ago - Alex Blogg

Have done shoots at Airbnb locations before. Be open with the owner and let them know exactly what you're using it for, how big the production is and how long you will need it.

Quite a few people were absolutely fine with the arrangement given this information before the confirmation of booking.

This is really the cheapest option for small/medium location shoots and allows for a more characterful 'lived-in' set right off the bat.

8 years, 7 months ago - Philip Carr

Using Airbnb properties is a great way to find locations. I used a cottage in Kent for a recent short. You can see what the rooms are like on the website and check with the owner if they are OK for filming. We signed a location agreement with her and paid for the breakage of some glassware but otherwise it went very well and the owner didn't have to change the bedsheets!