A guide for historic homeowners: hiring out your property for filming, photoshoots, and creative retreats

Owning a historic home or landscape is a privilege—and a responsibility. These remarkable properties are not just places to live, but living, breathing stories from our past. From their unique architecture to their enduring sense of character, historic homes offer an inspiring setting that can be treasured by more than just those lucky enough to live in them. One increasingly popular way to celebrate the charm of these homes, while generating income and visibility, is to rent them out for creative projects like films, photoshoots, and retreats. 

Whether your property boasts fields farmed for generations, Georgian elegance, Victorian grandeur, or medieval mystery, it can be an ideal backdrop for creative professionals looking for authentic, atmospheric locations. Renting out your historic home, however, requires a thoughtful approach to ensure that it remains both protected and celebrated.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps to renting your property for creative endeavours, helping you prepare, attract the right clientele, and manage the process smoothly.

Why rent your historic home for creative projects with Fablefaine?

Before diving into the details, it’s important to understand why renting your historic property for creative projects can be so rewarding. From financial benefits to the joy of seeing your home featured on the screen or in print, there are several reasons to consider opening your doors to filmmakers, photographers, and artists.

1. Generate extra income 

Historic homes often come with higher maintenance costs due to their age and the care required to preserve their original features. Renting out your property for films, photoshoots, or creative retreats can provide a steady stream of income to offset these costs. It’s a way to ensure your home continues to thrive without putting undue financial pressure on you as a homeowner.

2. Showcase your property’s beauty and history  

Seeing your home featured in a film, editorial, or creative project can be incredibly rewarding. These projects shine a spotlight on the unique beauty of historic properties, often showcasing them to a much wider audience than you might expect. Whether your home becomes the backdrop of a period drama or serves as a retreat space for artists seeking inspiration, its features and stories are shared with the world.

3. Contribute to cultural and creative expression 

By offering your historic property to creatives, you’re contributing to the cultural landscape. Filmmakers, photographers, and artists rely on authentic settings to tell stories that resonate with audiences. Your home’s history, charm, and atmosphere can inspire and enhance these creative endeavours, allowing its legacy to live on through the art that’s created there.

Preparing Your Historic Property for Creative Projects

Renting a historic home for creative purposes requires more than just listing it online. You’ll need to take some key steps to ensure that your property is ready to host filmmakers, photographers, or retreat-goers while safeguarding its historical features.

1. Highlight your home's unique features
  
Every historic home has something special that sets it apart—whether it’s the craftsmanship, architectural details, or the stories embedded in its walls. These are the features that will appeal most to creative professionals, so make sure they’re front and centre by telling us those important details when you apply to list with us. 

   Consider what makes your home unique:  

   - Does it have original period details, like fireplaces, window seats, or stained glass windows?  
   - Does the property tell a story, such as being the former residence of a notable figure or a witness to key historical events?  
   - Is there a distinctive atmosphere or interior décor that lends itself to a specific era, theme, or mood?

Once we’ve identified these standout features, we'll make sure they’re well-documented through high-quality photos in your listing on our site.

Professional photography is a must—it can capture the texture, light, and feel of your home in ways that make it irresistible to creatives, which is why we offer your listing photography for free as part of joining us. We'll include detailed descriptions in your listing, emphasising the historical significance of certain features or any unique architectural elements.

2. Ensure the Property is Production-Friendly  

While the historical or visual charm of your property is its greatest asset, practical considerations are also important. Filming or photoshoots require space for equipment, crew members, and sometimes extensive staging. Retreats may require certain modern amenities. Make sure your home can accommodate these needs without compromising its character.

   - Space: Creatives will often need areas to set up equipment, props, and even catering stations. Ensure that you have room to accommodate these needs, or consider designating certain areas for this purpose.

   - Electricity and Wi-Fi: While historic homes don’t need to be modernised beyond recognition, it’s essential to know whether your property has reliable electricity for lighting and equipment (and if it doesn't we can communicate that to our Creators to ensure all bases are covered). If your home will be used for digital media projects, a strong Wi-Fi connection will be appreciated.

   - Parking and access: Large production crews or retreat guests may need parking and easy access to your home. Be clear about the logistics of getting to your property and where vehicles can park without causing damage to the grounds, upsetting residents or wildlife.

3. Protect your home’s integrity  

One of the most important aspects of renting out a historic home or landscape is ensuring it’s protected throughout the process. Creative projects can be demanding, and with larger teams comes the risk of wear and tear. However, there are plenty of ways to safeguard your home while still opening it up for rentals.

   - Furniture covers and floor protection: If your property has antique furniture, delicate flooring, or original fixtures, it’s a good idea to use temporary protections. Rugs, covers, and floor protectors can help prevent accidental damage without altering the look of your home.
   - Clear usage guidelines: In your rental agreements, set clear boundaries around which areas of the home are off-limits or require special care. Make sure your expectations are clearly communicated, whether it’s about moving furniture or restricting access to certain rooms.

Attracting the right creatives

Once your home is ready for creative projects, the next step is for us to find the right people to rent it to (which is why we create a unique marketing plan for every location that joins us). Different types of creatives will be drawn to different features of your location, so it’s important for us to understand your audience and craft your listing accordingly.

1. Know Your Audience  

Your historic or countryside location will likely appeal to a wide range of creatives, but some projects will be a better fit than others. Understanding who your property is best suited for can help you attract the right clients - and that's we excel - knowing the right fit.

   - Film Producers: Historic homes often make excellent locations for period dramas, documentaries, and indie films. If your home has a timeless feel or reflects a specific historical period, it could be ideal for these projects.

   - Photographers: Fashion, editorial, and fine art photographers love working with historic properties, beautiful gardens, or dramatic landscapes because of their atmosphere, natural light, and rich textures. If your home has unique architectural details or scenic grounds, it could become a coveted location for photoshoots.

   - Retreat organisers: Writers, artists, wellness providers, and creatives looking for an inspiring space to recharge will appreciate the quiet, reflective atmosphere of a countryside home. Your property could be perfect for hosting creative retreats, workshops, or residencies.

2. Create an Irresistible Listing  

A well-crafted listing is key to attracting the right creative projects. In addition to beautiful photos, we'll tell the story of your home in a way that draws creatives in.

   - Highlight its history or special natural significance: Share interesting facts about your property with us—whether it’s the craftsmanship, notable events that took place there, or its cultural significance, rare wildlife or unparalleled natural views, so we can share this with our Creators.

   - Emphasise flexibility: If your home is versatile, we'll explain how it can accommodate different kinds of projects, from intimate photoshoots to larger film productions.

   - Use testimonials: If your location has been booked through us before, we'll include feedback from past clients. Testimonials can help potential renters envision their own project succeeding at your property.

3. Use specialised platforms  

When it comes to renting out a historic property for creative projects, listing on the right platform is crucial. Consider platforms like Fablefaine, which connect homeowners of unique properties with creatives looking for authentic locations. Platforms like ours cater specifically to those searching for countryside retreats, film sets, and photoshoot locations, ensuring your home is seen by the right audience. Fablefaine also has a unique AI search function that enhances Searches ensuring we match Creators up with just the right locations, ensuring they'll use us time and again to find the perfect places.

Social media is another valuable tool. By showcasing your property’s most photogenic aspects, we'll build a loyal following of creatives who are inspired by our locations' charm and history.

Logistics and legal considerations

Managing the logistics of renting your historic property for creative projects can seem daunting, but with clear guidelines (you can use our specially created Guidelines or your own, whichever you prefer) and then, with a few key steps, the process can be smooth and stress-free.

1. Set clear hire terms 
   In any hire agreement, clarity is key. Be explicit about your expectations and the terms of the rental, covering everything from the scope of the project to how long the space will be used, and we'll ensure it is communicated effectively to our bookers.

   - Access and boundaries: Clearly outline which rooms, outbuildings, land or gardens can be used and any restrictions on what can be moved or altered.

   - Time and duration: Set expectations for the start and end times, including how much time is needed for setup and teardown - we'll manage expectations on both sides to ensure everyone knows where they stand.

   - Post-project clean-up: Ensure your agreement includes provisions for restoring the property to its original condition.

 

2. Insurance and liability  

Protecting your location is crucial. Before renting it out for creative projects, make sure you have the right insurance coverage, especially Public Liability. Speak with your insurance provider to ensure you’re protected against damages or liability related to filming, photoshoots or retreats.

   - Liability coverage: Include liability clauses in your contracts that hold renters responsible for any damage caused during their use of the property.

   - Property insurance: Check that your home insurance covers events related to production or retreats, and consider adding additional coverage if necessary.

 

3. Managing the process smoothly  

During the project, it’s important to have a plan in place to manage the process. Whether it’s having someone present to oversee the production or communicating clearly with the creative team, smooth management ensures that both you and the renters have a positive experience.

   - Appoint a property manager: If you can’t be on-site, appoint someone familiar with your home to manage the day-to-day logistics of the hiring period.

   - Communication is key: Check in with the creative team to ensure everything is going according to plan and that your property is being treated with care.

Building long-lasting relationships

Hiring your property for creative projects isn’t just a one-time opportunity—it can lead to long-lasting relationships with filmmakers, photographers, and artists who may want to return in the future.

1. Foster collaboration  

A successful project often depends on collaboration and mutual respect. Being flexible, communicative, and helpful throughout the process fosters a positive relationship that could lead to repeat business.

2. Showcase your success stories  

After a project is completed, we will ask for testimonials and permission to showcase the work that was created at your location if it aligns with our values and purpose. Sharing these success stories can enhance your property’s reputation and attract new clients.

Conclusion

Renting out your historic home to creatives is a wonderful way to share its beauty with the world, generate income, and contribute to artistic and cultural projects. With thoughtful preparation, clear communication, and a focus on protecting your property’s legacy, you can enjoy the process while ensuring your home remains a cherished and celebrated part of the creative landscape.

By opening your doors to filmmakers, photographers, and retreat-goers, you’re not just renting a space—you’re inviting new stories into your home, preserving its history while allowing it to inspire fresh narratives for years to come.

APPLY TO LIST WITH US