I have been on Peerspace since last year and just got first booking, as most inquiries have been for large parties. Can anyone give me some pointers?
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I took down my event listing and only have productions. I would get inquiries that made me uneasy and thought if I okayed a booking, I’d end up in the local papers, on the news with a party that took multiple police agencies to disperse the crowds. There’s been incidents where people rented out their property and this has happened. I suppose if you have a commercial property there’s less likelihood this would happen. Just ask a lot of questions. Ask them to submit a resume if they don’t have a few reviews. The devious ones don’t want to answer questions or get annoyed with your questions and find someone else ( however I see these people don’t go elsewhere on peerspace). Bottom line, go with your gut, I do and have avoided trouble. Afterwards, I looked up someone who inquired about having a birthday pool party for himself and asked if I could double the amount of guests to 100 ( he inquired again a month later…), and I saw online about a party that charged admittance and there were wet tshirt contests, champagne girls etc. So, yes, I avoided being on the news.
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Hello @Sharon_R
I recently was hit with a violation from the NY Dept. Of Bldg stating because of my Peerspace listing/hosting events in my home, I was conducting commercial activity in a residential zone. I was shocked because a lot of host use their homes to host events. Was just wondering as a NY host if you heard of this happening to any other NY hosts?
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Hello @Norma-Lee_W
I tend to stay away from parties because you can never predict the outcome/ behavior of the guests. The few times I did allow parties, I restricted guests from using loud speakers and control the number of guests.
Hi Norma
I certainly agree with the other 3 replies that parties in general unless seriously vetted are dangerous.
Another recent incident in Malibu where they said there would be 6 people at a time in an oceanfront home and ended up with over 40 and 20 people at once on a small balcony which collapsed on to the rocks with Serious injuries snd they had to evacuate the home due to damages.
Is this a party or production booking?
Are you going to ge there as a site rep or you can insist on hiring someone at their expense. Have you arranged for a cleanup fee. Have you charged based on the head count where you can charge more if it goes over?
Is parking an issue? Is there a lights out time and overtime if they stay beyond time booked?
Hard to say without knowing more details as to your space and the event. Maybe post your listing link here and more details?
Happy to talk if you like for general advice but as everyone said ask a lot of questions and he very careful.
I have a commercial open space with concrete floors and lots of parking and turn down almost any party and discourage requests with much higher pricing than production.
Were you aware you can price different for events vs production?
Good luck!
Robert Reiff
Magiclight Studio
310-283-8772
We mostly do production but for events the rules are extremely strict especially as to the number of guest and noise. For starts we require security for every 20 guest and a guest-list it mandatory. If someone is not on the list they don’t get in. Also no Deejays or outside PA systems are allow. Any music must be play over our Bluetooth speakers. That alone usually eliminates anyone looking to book a wild party. Also as others have said, Vet your guest. anyone looking to book an event must visit the space first before we confirm the booking and we require an email account as well as a phone number. They must also sign our own agreement in additional to whatever Peerspace requires. So far it’s worked and those looking to book the type of events that we’d rather not have usually just stop responding once they know the rules.
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Hi Lorenzo, Thank you for letting me know how you deal with events. My first booking is for a photo shoot, as I have not accepted any event request.
Hi Robert, I would love you to see my listing but unsure how to get the link here?
I have declined events, and want to focus on production only.
Thanks
Hello @Sharon_R, @ Frederica_T, thanks for the advice, as my gut has told me to avoid events.
Hi Norma-Lee
To share your listing just go to:
Account
Then- my listing
Then -you will see a Share this listing link
Robert Reiff
MagicLight Studio
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Hi Robert,
Please see my link below.
Modern and stylish unique space., Coral Springs, FL | Production | Peerspace?
Thanks
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Hmmm sounds like a neighbor may have ratted you out. I doubt the NYC Dept of Buildings is scrolling through Peerspace citing all of the listings in there. One of your neighbors must not have appreciated the extra traffic.
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If you are renting to a production, always ask what kind of content they are shooting. My space is a medical office and I am always nervous someone is going to try and sneak a porn shoot in lol. Ask specifics about their crew size and if any unusual gear is coming along. For instance I get a lot of music video requests and they quite often come with fog machines or haze machines. Definitely important to ask about that because some of those things will leave your home messy (and possibly set off a smoke detector). And the other thing I am always crystal clear about are the parking rules. We share a lot with other businesses and production companies often want to come in and take over (especially if they have a truck/van). So make sure you make sure to tell them where is off limits because that is the #1 way to piss off your neighbors 
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@Frederica_T I’m in NJ and don’t offer events. I have production only and it’s 95% outside. The reason why I don’t offer event activities has to do with crowds and in NYC that’s always a concern. How did Dept of Buildings get your address to send a summons? I suspect that a neighbor more so had a problem and tipped them off. That’s also another reason I didn’t want to do events as it would interfere with my neighbors comfort ( and mine as people think that just because a space is rented they can go wild at a party). I don’t know about NY but in NJ you can get the records and find out who, what and why.
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My photo shoot went well, had a great experience, and I am waiting for the payment.
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Wow really? Im in NY just started. No bookings yet. I was trying to look up the laws on this couldn’t find anything. What type of events were you hosting? Do you think photo shoots or film shoots would be an issue?
Hello Lorenzo_A, @Chris_M2, @Sharon_R
In my case, a jealous neighbor found my listing and made false allegations to the Department of Buildings. The only complaint that got their attention was conducting commercial activity in a residential area. I did not know that was a thing, but it is and my neighbor knew it. The inspector stated that since I had a listing on Peerspace (advertising) that stated a specific price and I was driving people to my home,that’s the violation. He further stated that I was in violation because my home is zoned for residential, not commercial. He basically stated it’s the listing that’s the problem, no listing, then no problem because I’m allowed to have personal parties on my property, weird right? I’m currently fighting the summons which I feel are erroneous.( A court hearing in November and fees up to 8k if not corrected) So, I told to take my listing down. Additionally, My events were not loud, no big speakers, and never any problems with guests spilling in the street and making noise. When I reached out to Peerspace for their assistance they responded this was out of their area of expertise and sent me information about follow the zoning rules in my state. If anyone have any additional information to assist please provide. Thanks and NY hosts be careful.
Hey @Alecia_T
In my case, a jealous neighbor found my listing and made false allegations to the Department of Buildings. The only complaint that got their attention was conducting commercial activity in a residential area. I did not know that was a thing, but it is and my neighbor knew it. The inspector stated that since I had a listing on Peerspace (advertising) that stated a specific price and I was driving people to my home,that’s the violation. He further stated that I was in violation because my home is zoned for residential, not commercial. He basically stated it’s the listing that’s the problem, no listing, then no problem because I’m allowed to have personal parties on my property, weird right? I’m currently fighting the summons which I feel are erroneous.( A court hearing in November and fees up to 8k if not corrected) So, I told to take my listing down.
I’m regards to filming, I’m not sure. Just be careful.
Oh wow thank you. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.
Hi Frederica, im wondering how long did you have your listings up before you were summoned for the court hearing. Would also like to know what was the outcome of your situation.