Hackney homeowners could charge up to �500 per night to let their homes during Olympics

THE London Olympics could mean more than just a chance for Hackney residents to see the greatest athletes in the world.

If you’re willing to up sticks for the three weeks in July and August, 2012, when the Games take place, you might be on to a money-spinner as Hackney properties could be let for up to �500 per night to the legions of officials, journalists and fans who will descend on the capial city.

That is the amount a Hackney couple have quoted to let their three-bedroom Victorian home in Buckingham Road, De Beauvoir, and they’ve already had inquiries.

“It might not work out as much as that, but the model for doing it is there,” said David Humphries, 57, who lives with his wife, Moira, 44, and advertised his home on www.hotelslondonolympicgames.co.uk.

“We won’t do it unless it’s worth our while,” he added.

Hackney homes could be in high demand, with good transport links to the main stadium in Stratford and central London.

David had his “Eureka” moment after previously living in Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and experiencing the demand for property during the four-day National Hunt horse racing festival.

“We might go away for a couple of weeks,” he said.

“I’m not that fussed about the Olympics and we’ve got tons of mates around Hackney, so we should be fine.”

Ben Caudell, 32, of Midhurst Way, Lower Clapton, near Hackney Downs park, is also on the look-out for tenants for his two-bedroom flat and has already received interest from the USA and Brazil.

He believes he could get up to �2,000 per week.

“There was a lot of talk when we won the Olympics that it would be possible,” he said. “Letting your home is an option for anyone in Hackney.”

Bruce Abbott, 50, founder of the Hotels London Olympic Games website, voiced a note of caution.

He has had to take property adverts off the site because of organising committee rules about branding and will now have to open a new site free of any explicit references to London 2012.

“People should be very careful about where they place their adverts,” he said.

“The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games don’t want you to use their branding and their logo.

“You could pay to advertise on a site and then the site will be taken down.”