A fully functioning house was seen floating down the Thames in the centre of London on Monday morning as part of a promotional campaign for home share service, Airbnb.

The floating property is travelling down the Thames to celebrate new rules that mean Londoners, like the rest of the UK, can earn a up to a 15 per cent pay rise by sharing their homes through sites like Airbnb.

Credit: Mikael Buck

Passing under Tower Bridge before gliding past the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye on its maiden voyage, the floating house will meander along the river throughout the week until Saturday 23 May.

The property consists of two bedrooms, a living room, working bathroom and even a garden complete with real glass, a doghouse and an apple tree.

Credit: Mikael Buck

Sitting at an imposing eight metres tall and weighing in at 70 tonnes, the structure was built by production company Star Events over the past four months.

Crossing local neighbourhoods such as Chelsea, Westminster and Canary Wharf, the house will hold community events and overnight stays throughout the week before opening its doors to one lucky competition winner and three guests, who will stay overnight on Friday 22 May.

Credit: Mikael Buck

Guests will enjoy spa treatments, as well as a private dining experience with food personally prepared by Robert Ortiz, head chef of Peruvian and Michelin-starred restaurant Lima and Lima Floral.

UK country manager James McClure, said: “The floating house is the ultimate celebration of home sharing and an unforgettable travel experience to bring to the UK.

“London is already Airbnb’s third largest city globally and one of the world’s top tourist destinations. With these new, clear rules on home sharing we expect more and more Londoners to open their homes to visitors from across the globe.”

Credit: Mikael Buck