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

[ParkMyFace]

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.

Surely any site advertising the space has a duty of care to make sure the person advertising the space actually has rights to it in the first place, ie would want to see title deeds or rent agreement?

This also reminds me of the MN who's only outdoor space was her parking space. She didn't have a car but liked to sit in the space. She got pissed off by neighbours using it. Her landlord eventually agreed to her putting planters in the space marking her "garden" and spot for her lounger!

This is the best MN post I’ve ever seen. Congratulations, OP, you win the internet today.

I have absolutely no idea what would happen to you but I commend you for your boldness! I hope you manage to make some money from this, I’m still laughing now!

Please, please, please give us all an update!

When I moved in my house I didn't have a car. My neighbor had two big SUVs and was a self entitled CF who used mine. It wasn't worth a fight so I never said anything.

Eventually 2 years on I got my first car and parked in my spot. The neighbor kicked down my door and threatened to 'sort me out'. I was on the phone to the police who heard everything and rushed over. He landed himself a 'no contact' order but you know the wonderful advice from the police?

'just give him your space, its best not to antagonize him and this clearly sets him off'.

Like why should I? luckily that twats long gone now.

People have literally been killed over parking spots. I was watching something the other day where 2 men attacked a mother and child over a parking spot and the child DIED.

If it's such easy money, why aren't the carless people who own these spaces doing it?

I don't think you've got the full picture, OP. The user probably needs to be registered somewhere. Parking is so contentious that many authorities have had to start doing this.

Ask the neighbours. Offer to split the profits. You'll run the scheme, and use their space. I think that's a fair enough thing to do, to be honest.

I think if all the neighbours complained, you’d lose your tenancy. And they all know where you live so they could all report you for tax fraud.

I think do a big poo in each car parking space as a test, and then see how well shitting on your literal doorstep works out for you.

OP, have you checked whether the owners of the parking spaces have video doorbells/cctv? If so, I can guarantee that your fraudulent scheme will be caught out pretty sharpish.

😂

It's a very lucrative business in London, local residents are issued guest parking permits which many promptly sell to enterprising locals who will then meet you in a certain street and give you a permit, I used it a few times particularly in streets near tube / DLR stations when I lived in the South East and wanted to go into town for the evening, especially if you don't want to rush across town to get the last train.

The op is really fucking stupid tbh to think they'd get away with it & by alerting everyone to it on a national website. What are the bets people will check the actual when hiring driveways for fraud from now on.

So you changed your mind about it being bollox then and that guest permits are a thing.

Yes, and because only residents can buy them residents often sell these guest permits on, and @FamBae‘s post was perfectly factual and not ‘bollox’ in the slightest.

Why don't you knock on the doors of the people who own the spaces and offer to rent them out, do all the logistics/booking etc and split the cash?

OP, are you in receipt of any benefits?

If so, and you didn't declare any income made from renting out such spaces, I think you might end up a lot more brassic than you say you are at the moment, as benefit fraud isn't dealt with lightly. Then there is also potential tax avoidance if your little enterprise were to make you over the allowed amount a year and you didn't declare it to HMRC..

It's not yours, you don't own in, so you can't rent it out.

It is literally fraud/obtaining money by deception so it's a crime and the potential for arrest/criminal record

Not only could you be done for fraud "obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception possibly" but you could lose your tenancy too.

Ground 14 of Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988 if you are prosecuted and convicted of an indictable offence and/or ground 12 if your tenancy prohibits renting out spaces and in any event this is likely to falling nuisance/annoyance conduct which is prohibited by your tenancy and ground 14.

Don't do it unless you don't mind homelessness or a criminal record, and/or other tenancy action like an injunction.

Pretty skanky in my book 😅 just do some overtime, learn a skill you can sell or get a 2nd job like a normal person

Going against the grain, I would totally do it. We once rented out our parking space when we lived near the Wimbledon ground and made about £1,000.

I love this thread.

The problem is the poor person who parts with there good money will obviously be under the impression they have the right to park there if they get challenged by another resident could lead to issues and them wanting there money back

If you ripped me off like that I’d be straight on to HA probably a breach of your tenancy and you could get kicked out

Yeh - your own space! Totally, great way of making money. Imagine if someone else had rented out your parking space!