Your Spare Room Could Be a Film Set (No, Really): The Peerspace Opportunity

Remember when Airbnb was just "that weird website where strangers sleep in your house"? Peerspace is having that moment, except the strangers want to film TikToks in your kitchen or hold team meetings in your living room.

And they'll pay surprisingly well for the privilege.

What Peerspace Actually Is

Think Airbnb for hourly rentals. Instead of overnight guests, you get:

• Photographers needing interesting backdrops

• Small companies wanting meeting spaces

• Content creators filming videos

• Event planners seeking unique venues

• Production companies scouting locations

Your boring spare room? That's a "minimalist creative space." Your garage? "Industrial chic venue." Everything sounds better in marketing speak.

The Money Reality Check

Let's manage expectations immediately:

UK host earnings vary wildly:

• Spare room in Manchester: £50-100 per booking

• Quirky London flat: £100-300 per booking

• Actual event space: £500-2000+ per booking

• Random Tuesday vs weekend: 3x price difference

Most hosts report £200-1000 monthly, depending on location and effort. London hosts do better. Unique spaces do better. Being flexible with availability does better.

What Actually Rents (Surprising Truth)

Winners:

• Homes with good natural light (photographers are obsessed)

• Kitchens with islands (cooking videos are huge)

• "Instagram-worthy" walls or corners

• Gardens/outdoor spaces in cities

• Anything genuinely quirky or unique

• Spaces near transport links

Losers:

• Dark basements

• Cluttered normal rooms

• Spaces requiring massive setup

• Anywhere requiring complex access

• Generic office-looking spaces (unless actual office)

The "Passive" Income Myth

Let's be clear: this isn't passive. You'll need to:

• Message potential renters (response time matters)

• Prep the space before each booking

• Be available for access/questions

• Clean up afterwards

• Handle the occasional difficult client

• Update your listing regularly

It's more like "leveraged income" - you're leveraging space you already have, but there's definitely work involved.

The Reality of Strangers in Your Space

Before you list, consider:

They're running businesses: Most renters are professionals who need your space to make money. They're generally respectful because bad reviews kill their business too.

Insurance exists but...: Peerspace provides £1 million liability coverage, but document everything. Photos before and after. Every time.

You can say no: Don't like the booking request? Decline it. Your house, your rules.

Neighbours might notice: Five photographers trooping in with equipment isn't subtle. Make sure you're not violating lease terms or annoying everyone.

How to Actually Make Money on Peerspace

Price smart: Check similar local spaces. Price 20% lower initially for reviews, then increase.

Photos sell spaces: Invest in proper photos or learn basic staging. iPhone photos in poor light = no bookings.

The magic words: "Natural light," "Instagram-worthy," "creative space," "unique location" - use them if true.

Availability wins: Weekend and evening availability makes 70% of bookings.

Niche down: "Space for baby photoshoots" beats "nice room for rent."

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

• Cleaning supplies and time (£20-30 monthly)

• Extra utility usage (minimal but noticeable)

• Wear and tear (budget for touch-up paint)

• Your time (2-3 hours per booking all-in)

• Potential tax implications (yes, it's taxable income)

Setting Up Your Listing (The Realistic Version)

1. Check your lease/mortgage: Some explicitly forbid commercial use

2. Start with one space: Don't list your entire house immediately

3. Take 20+ photos: Different angles, times of day, styled options

4. Write honest descriptions: "Cozy" not "spacious" if it's small

5. Set boundaries: No parties, no overnight shoots, whatever you need

Who This Actually Works For

Peerspace makes sense if you:

• Have genuinely interesting/useful space

• Live in a city (rural doesn't work well)

• Can handle strangers professionally

• Need flexibility (work from home helps)

• Want to monetise unused space

Skip it if you:

• Value privacy above money

• Have nowhere to go during bookings

• Live in a rental that forbids it

• Can't handle the occasional mess

• Have genuinely no spare space

Real Host Experiences

"My Brooklyn-style kitchen pays half my mortgage" - London host

"Three bookings a month covers my car payment" - Manchester host

"More work than expected but worth it for the extra income" - Birmingham host

"Photographers are dream clients, event people are... variable" - Every host ever

Making Your First £1000

Realistic timeline:

• Month 1: Setup, photos, first booking or two

• Month 2: Refine pricing, get reviews

• Month 3: Regular bookings if your space works

• Month 4: £1000 total earned (if in decent location)

The Bottom Line

Peerspace isn't passive income - it's turning your space into a micro-business. But if you've got interesting space sitting empty while you're at work, why not let it earn its keep?

Start small. List one room. See how it goes. You might discover your boring dining room is actually a "perfect podcast recording studio" worth £75 per session.

Just don't expect to list and forget. The hosts making real money treat it like the business it is.

Ready to Turn Your Space into Cash?

If you've got the right space and realistic expectations, Peerspace could be a solid income stream. Check out similar listings in your area first to see if there's demand.

Start your hosting journey at peerspace.com/uk/host - listing is free, and you might be surprised what people will pay for your "boring" spare room.