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Original poster

What's the worst that could happen if I advertised a parking space that doesn't belong to me?

267 replies

ParkMyFace · 24/07/2023 23:20

I live in an estate with one parking space per apartment. Quite a few of the parking spaces are never used because people don't have cars. I've lived here for years and know which ones they are. Also I am brassic. If I advertised on a parking site that they were available to rent, and collected money, even though they're not mine, what's the worst that would happen? I don't mind paying money back but I don't want to go to jail.

OP posts:
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Prettypaisleyslippers · 25/07/2023 09:23

wow, try doing Avon, babysitting, sell on Vinted, pub work? Stop diebding do much time on this ridiculous scheme.

your HA will be very unhappy abd your tenancy would be at risk

Dibbydoos · 25/07/2023 09:34

Talk to your neighbours. Suggest you sort and split money 50:50 with them. Sounds like a great plan!!!

Doone21 · 25/07/2023 21:38

It's probably not even a crime. I highly doubt its a criminal offence like fraud. But risking your reputation and lease would be dangerous. Perhaps a letter to each owner laying out your business case for renting out the spaces, offer to manage the rentals on behalf of them for a 50:50 split?

Stopthatknocking · 25/07/2023 22:01

Why not go the whole hog, wait till they go on holiday and rent their houses out on Airbnb?

It's an outrageous idea.

Hiddenvoice · 25/07/2023 22:04

I imagine you might lose your tenancy if you were caught. Are you sure they are free? I know you have kept diagrams but all it takes is for one neighbour to have a guest one day and their space has been taken. It would be a good idea if it was your own space but I probably wouldn’t risk your flat on it.

Auntieofdragons · 25/07/2023 22:29

OP could you approach the flats and ask if they’d be interested in splitting the profits with you? They let you use their spaces, you set up the account and deal with pricing, marketing, client relations, refunds etc and they get £5 dropped through their door every time you sell a space for £10.

TenoringBehind · 25/07/2023 22:31

Worst case scenario: 5 years in prison.
more likely: loss of tenancy

1968 Theft Act: obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception .

Canisaysomething · 25/07/2023 22:33

You're working on the basis the owners of the spaces don't know you park there or don't care. The more likely assumption is that everyone knows you occasionally park in their spaces and turn a blind eye as you are a skint housing association tenant. Chances are when someone else turns up to use their space full time then things will kick off.

OneMomentPlease · 25/07/2023 22:47

I have definitely rented parking from someone doing this. Apartments close to an attraction I visit regularly. Didn’t realise until I’d parked on a different side of the complex for the third time 😂.

However, no idea if he was owner/tenant/offering a service to the space owners. Very handy service though with lots of demand if you could get the space owners on board.

Wigglewigglewitch · 25/07/2023 22:51

It’s insanely difficult to evict anyone, especially HA tenants so you’re unlikely to lose your home but it would cause massive hassle. Would you consider Only Fans? My friend does foot stuff and makes a decent amount.

TankFlyBoss · 25/07/2023 23:00

I used to live in flats where there were allocated spaces for each flat and visitors spaces. I rented my space out for years and parked my own car about 6 feet away in a visitors space. Can you do that?

JudgeRudy · 25/07/2023 23:20

I'd say the damage would most likely be the retribution you get from those you've wronged. Who owns the parking spaces? If it's the same people that own your apartment I would they'll probably evict you for breaking the T&Cs of your lease.
I'm unsure if you're serious as your idea is so outrageous. Would you consider doing this in other areas, ie renting out something that's not yours? I hope you don't do it now its been pointed out how morally wrong it is, but if you do, because youre selfish and entitled, I hope it goes horribly wrong for you.

Beeonmyeyelash · 25/07/2023 23:23

Plexie · 24/07/2023 23:45

If you're a housing association tenant, would that be at risk if the HA found out?

Yes. There will be a clause about not pissing off the neighbours with antisocial behaviour. I'm certain renting out their parking space that they own/rent (or using it to park in yourself, you CF, OP) will count as antisocial behaviour. Enough black marks against your name and you could be evicted. There'll also be a clause about not using your home for criminal behaviour. Running an illegal "business" (that I've no doubt you'll keep secret from DWP/HMRC) fraudulently renting out parking spaces that aren't yours to rent, is going to break that clause too and be enough to get you evicted. I imagine you can expect some or other pissed off person to report your actions to the DWP/HMRC too, so you'll have that to deal with as well.

2Jays · 26/07/2023 06:14

AquamarineGlass · 24/07/2023 23:58

You sound enterprising.

Why stop at your estate. But do it properly.

Get owners to register.

Advertise the spaces.

You could take 15% commission but on many more spaces.

You could do license and logbook checking for peace of mind and justify the commission.

A lot of people wouldn't want the hassle of advertising their space but would appreciate the cash.

Call it (yourtown) Parking Angels

Promote on social media. A website is pretty easy to build these days. You could accept advertising on your website to drive extra income.

You could partner with car valet services etc

I really think you could be onto something

15% of 50 spaces charged at £30 a week is £225 a week

What a bloody fab reply. Wish my brain worked like that. Hope the OP can put this into practice.

EatThoseFrogs · 26/07/2023 06:29

Sorry you're struggling OP but sounds like you know this an awful idea.

  1. it's fraud and you may be charged, 2) you will piss off the neighbours when they eventually find out 3) the money you may make will be (rightly) subject to tax etc and 4) you'd be putting your tenancy at risk.

Have you considered a second job? There's lots of small task jobs that can be done from home flexibly - take a look at one of the threads on here for hints and tips.

Good luck

Sofasonear · 26/07/2023 06:32

Brilliant. Go for it

speakout · 26/07/2023 06:51

OP you sound enterprising- and organized.
You have spent time thinking of this, making diagrams etc.

I don't know the legality of it but if you advertised then people living in the complex could also see your plans surely?

Also what if the person who rents the space just stops paying? You are in no position to insist for money.

It smells like a bad idea.

Why not try other ways of making money instead of selling old DVDs on ebay.

I sell online, it's my main job.

WholeWorldsPivot · 26/07/2023 06:54

ParkMyFace · 24/07/2023 23:29

I would rent out my space but I don't have a designated space because I'm in housing association. We don't get car parking spaces with our tenancies. That's how come I know which ones aren't used because I have to, so I know where is ok to park nearish to my apartment. I have done a long and careful and ongoing study. I have diagrams!

Hang on - so this is a parking thread (albeit an unusual one), you have DIAGRAMS, and you aren't sharing them? YABU 😁

Doris86 · 26/07/2023 06:55

Doone21 · 25/07/2023 21:38

It's probably not even a crime. I highly doubt its a criminal offence like fraud. But risking your reputation and lease would be dangerous. Perhaps a letter to each owner laying out your business case for renting out the spaces, offer to manage the rentals on behalf of them for a 50:50 split?

It is 100% a crime, it is fraud! The question is whether the authorities would bother doing anything about it. That is the point of the OPs question, she knows it is wrong but it asking if she would get away with it.

Cathael · 26/07/2023 07:04

I just… your level of entitlement…

No, you should not rent out others’ parking spaces without their knowledge or permission for the simple reason that they are not. yours.

I would have thought you’d lose your tenancy as a minimum when it goes wrong & you are found out.

Mind boggling.

user1492757084 · 26/07/2023 07:19

You are enerprising and making use of something that is not being used. I would do it but not with a stranger; can you rent out the spot to someone you know - who will sever the arrangement quickly if need be?

You could invite three guests per day (one at a time) to visit you, and park in your spot while you wash their car.
Advertise home cooked meals for busy people and have them pick them up at your place.
Prepare packed sandwich and fruit lunches for the neighbours.
Can you offer to iron or vacuume for the other tenants?
Would the tenants association employ you as the gardener?

BackT · 26/07/2023 07:22

I work for an estate management company and we would properly go to town on you.

You wouldn't go to prison but you might end up with legal action being taken. They probably aren't even allowed to sublet their spaces under lease terms.

To be honest it's bloody outrageous that you are considering this at all! Those Just Park users cause all sorts of stress and it soon becomes obvious.

Do you think it's ok to just rent out someone's garden for camping because they aren't using it?

Sorry you are broke but this is not the answer.

SideWonder · 26/07/2023 07:35

If I advertised on a parking site that they were available to rent, and collected money, even though they're not mine, what's the worst that would happen?

If you’re asking this question seriously, you’re scum, basically.

EmmaEmerald · 26/07/2023 07:41

Ooooooh
the last guy who tried to use my parking space got ground into metaphorical powder

his card is still marked, the mgmt co still talk about it and as he breaks the law regularly in other ways, we know what we will do to get him if he tries it again.

I was going to politely remind him that people get murdered over parking spaces in this town, but I didn't want to risk being accused of intimidation or something.

you start renting out stuff that's not yours, without permission? And you wonder what's the worst that can happen? Oooohhh...

Ohyousillydivvy · 26/07/2023 07:43

Is there a risk of losing your housing tenancy because you're committing fraud? Also, would you be paying tax and be registered as a small trader/business because if not guess what? You're committing fraud...... Also, what would you do if the cars were damaged? Insurance etc, who would be responsible for claims etc?

Or pick up a shift at a pub/restaurant /cafe and actually work for a living like other people instead of being an entitled cheeky fucker. You're setting yourself up as a dodgy estate con artist.