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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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SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 26/07/2023 07:47

I think what is more likely if you get found out is that the management company would employ a parking firm, issue all of those allowed to park there with permits and slap a penalty charge on every infringement.

MonsterCalling · 26/07/2023 07:49

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

As multiple pp have said this is a great post but I strongly suspect OP and neighbours would need the permission of the management co
and freeholder. Most tenants and leaseholders who use the ‘park on my drive’ type websites don’t realise they are in breach of their lease. I know of a couple of blocks where the management company cited the renting of
parking spaces as their main justification for doubling the service charge for everyone (rather than just stopping the people who were doing it), claiming wear and tear on the car park surface.

Twyford · 26/07/2023 07:50

Or you could do something radical like looking for a better-paid job.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 26/07/2023 07:50

seriously, don’t do it. At least not like this!
you may not be allowed to keep your “earnings”, lose your tenancy etc.

and the potential legal issues… yes, jail sounds unlikely. But do you really want to risk other consequences / having a criminal record?

but I like @AquamarineGlass ’s suggestion.
because your idea is good. And you would actually get to keep your money!

MonsterCalling · 26/07/2023 07:51

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 26/07/2023 07:47

I think what is more likely if you get found out is that the management company would employ a parking firm, issue all of those allowed to park there with permits and slap a penalty charge on every infringement.

And increase the service charge to pay for the parking firm…

dawngreen · 26/07/2023 07:53

Its not your parking space, and residents would complain about you. But also if people see you making money from it they will be shitty about it, and report you because of it. And those who never bothered about the spaces will all start renting them. I think you are opening a can of worms for your self.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 26/07/2023 07:53

MonsterCalling · 26/07/2023 07:49

As multiple pp have said this is a great post but I strongly suspect OP and neighbours would need the permission of the management co
and freeholder. Most tenants and leaseholders who use the ‘park on my drive’ type websites don’t realise they are in breach of their lease. I know of a couple of blocks where the management company cited the renting of
parking spaces as their main justification for doubling the service charge for everyone (rather than just stopping the people who were doing it), claiming wear and tear on the car park surface.

Show quote history

That too. But it could good if it’s done correctly. It would probably require a lot of work, research etc. but OP might gain some really valuable experience!

Coffeetree · 26/07/2023 07:53

Very unlikely you'd get a custodial sentence but you'd likely lose your tenancy. A court would also order you to pay back all the money you "earned".

But how about this? Approach the parking space owners and offer to split the earnings. You'd still get some money, neighbours are happy, everyone comes out ahead.

You know what? I could see you developing a whole business based on people with empty parking spaces who don't know how to rent them out or just don't want to bother. Like airbnb for random parking spaces.

Startrekkeruniverse · 26/07/2023 07:55

beancount · 24/07/2023 23:55

I'm gutted for you about all the negative replies on here (sometimes I wonder if MN has just become a really mean self-righteous place over the years)
It's the ultimate victimless crime.
Can you give it a go and see what happens? I can't see how that would affect your tenancy, it's horrible being skint all the time with no way out, I would probably risk it personally.

I’m not sure it matters whether it’s a ‘victimless crime’ or not.

If you didn’t use your garden and someone started sunbathing in it or started storing things in your shed wouldn’t you be a bit pissed off?

OP is being incredibly cheeky.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 26/07/2023 07:57

I have a parking space that doesn’t get used because my house insurers wouldn’t agree to my letting it, although the parking space is some distance from the house. They threatened to cancel my policy with immediate effect when I asked them. On that basis you could land yourself in a whole heap of trouble.

TheWorldIsRound · 26/07/2023 07:59

I am a probate lawyer and many years ago had a deceased client who, following his death, started to receive enquiries about his advertising spaces. Turned out about 20 years before he died, he'd spotted a triangle of scrub land on a junction that nobody used or maintained, erected some hoardings, and rented them to poster agencies for advertising space.

When the landowner (the council in this case) found out, they wanted the estate to repay all earnings gained. He was dead though, the executors pleaded ignorance, and the council dropped the matter as a lost cause without taking legal action. I must say, that whilst I in no way approved of this man's conduct, I did secretly admire his cheek.

So, you might get away with it, if you die before anyone notices. Probably not worth the stress and potential repercussions though.
I am sure with your eye for an opportunity, you will find a way to make ends meet without potentially alienating your neighbours in the process.

theressomethingabout · 26/07/2023 08:01

How cheeky. Our neighbour does this. I have have watched a car park up in the space and get striaght into a taxi with luggage to the airport (we live near airport). I went on line and there it was the space advertised. I am tempted to report them as parking is already tight for residents who live here

Sugarfree23 · 26/07/2023 08:02

Surely it's fraud, effectively selling something that you don't own.

DH had a flat like that someone kept nicking his space. Eventually he got pissed off and blocked them in. And went out for the night.
Neighbour was bouncing the next morning. DH was no I'm still drunk not moving my car.

Tahitiansummer · 26/07/2023 08:03

When the landowner (the council in this case) found out, they wanted the estate to repay all earnings gained. He was dead though, the executors pleaded ignorance, and the council dropped the matter as a lost cause without taking legal action. I must say, that whilst I in no way approved of this man's conduct, I did secretly admire his cheek.

We have had someone do something similar on our land - unfortunately, in this case, the person wasn't dead and found themselves embroiled in a very expensive court case which they were never going to win. Utter stupidity.

YouveGotAFastCar · 26/07/2023 08:10

kingtamponthefurred · 25/07/2023 00:48

Assuming that you are in England or Wales. you would be making a false representation that the parking spaces were yours to dispose of, with a view to gain, so you would be committing an offence under section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006 (even if nobody actually took you up on the offer). The maximum penalty is seven years' imprisonment, but depending on your previous convictions, you might not get a custodial sentence. A community penalty, including a substantial number of hours of unpaid work, is more likely. You would have a criminal record which would you would have to disclose to a prospective employer. And given the nature of the offence, there would probably be some publicity.

This is the legal answer. You’d likely lose your tenancy and not be eligible for another. It would also likely impact on your job.

@PegasusReturns That’s a fake story; the zoo talk about it every now and again as an example of something that didn’t happen but won’t die, a bit like the guy who said he was employed to make sure all the penguins faced the right way…

It’s funny but not true.

it is, however, a good example of how this type of thing gets shared online… so OPs scheme could be, too. It only takes one journalist who needs a story to file, and then some outraged/inspired people, and you’ve got a story that will keep travelling (and become linked to the OP so anyone who Google’s her knows it).

I hope you find a way to make something though, OP. You could perhaps write to the space owners and offer to manage it for them for £X?

HaddawayAndShite · 26/07/2023 08:14

Doesn’t sound like you work very much if you’ve been able to collect this much data on these parking spaces, so much data that you know when they’re free all through the day, evenings and weekends. Perhaps if you put this much effort into your actual job you could increase your earnings.

NewDogOwner · 26/07/2023 08:15

I imagine your tenancy could be at risk if reported.

Plumbear2 · 26/07/2023 08:20

It's not your space. These spaces have nothing to do with you. Off course you carnt rent them out. I carnt believe you are drawing up diagrams for things that have nothing to do with you.

WasJuliaRight · 26/07/2023 08:28

Why not approach the people that own the space and tell them you’ll rent the space out for them, managing the rental and take a %.

UserRose · 26/07/2023 08:33

beancount · 24/07/2023 23:55

I'm gutted for you about all the negative replies on here (sometimes I wonder if MN has just become a really mean self-righteous place over the years)
It's the ultimate victimless crime.
Can you give it a go and see what happens? I can't see how that would affect your tenancy, it's horrible being skint all the time with no way out, I would probably risk it personally.

I agree with you and OP I’m so sorry you’re so broke, I do hope you don’t get in trouble too

billybear · 26/07/2023 08:34

have heard it all now so cheeky.get an evening job in a pub or find another way to make some extra cash shocking

Convincemebob · 26/07/2023 08:34

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

AngelinaFibres · 26/07/2023 08:37

ParkMyFace · 24/07/2023 23:42

I'm thinking I could advertise them for weekdays only, working hours. We're close ish to town and parking in town is expensive. Contractors and the like would still bite. Then if someone does have a guest at the weekend or whatever they'd still have the space, and if they're at work during the week and don't have a car themselves they'd be none the wiser.

I dare say your neighbours can see their empty spaces whenever they leave their flat/ from the window of their flat. If a strange car suddenly started appearing in it they would presumably have an issue and confront the person. Your name and flat number would be given. 'Oh I'm renting this space from X in flat Y". Lots of people have issues with HA people living in areas of private rental properties. You would just be reinforcing the stereotype of HA people being arseholes. Probably not worth it.

sadaboutmycat · 26/07/2023 08:39

This reminds of the guy who spent years as the car park attendant at a zoo, taking the £5 and giving tickets. One day he wasn't there, so a regular visitor asked at the main entrance where they should pay for their parking. The staff member said "oh our car park is free, always has been..."!

Whadda · 26/07/2023 08:39

I know you say you work but if you can spend as much time as you do watching parking spaces, cresting diagrams, and thinking up plots, surely that time would be better spent either upskilling or doing more hours?

Much better ways of getting out of poverty than taking advantage of your neighbours.