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.

But presumably it was your parking space?

So you would commit fraud by renting out someone else's parking space because you once made £1k on yours? Hope you're not really this reckless irl.

So what you are saying is OP should totally STEAL £1,000 from her neighbors.

If they are using it or not means nothing. I'm not currently in my bathroom but it doesn't mean a randomer can let themselves in for a shit, shave and shampoo because I'm not using it at that moment.

Not for guest permits you don’t.

Wow, this thread really attracted a lot of attention! I guess that shows how important parking spaces are to people, even if they don't use them. Which is relevant to my scheme, such as it was.

Lots of food for thought here especially people saying I could lose my tenancy. Obviously I don't want to do that.

It's taken quite a lot of effort to work out which spaces are unused but I guess I'm reaping the benefits of that work by finding places to park. Appreciate that the owners of the spaces may well be aware I'm using them but know I'm a resident so aren't challenging me. It doesn't mean they don't care about the spaces at all.

I've decided against this anyway, I don't want to threaten my tenancy.

For those saying get a second job, I would, but it's complicated (isn't it always haha 😥) I work full time but I don't earn much and my daughter is leaving education this year so my universal credit top up stops plus I'll have to find another 25% council tax (out of my arse??) once she's classed as a second adult. Obviously the ideal is to earn enough working full time that I don't need universal credit but well my wage is low. I am shitting myself.

I can't take on a second job because my mum's got dementia so I need to spend the time when I'm not working looking after her. I was just trying to think of ways to earn money that don't involve spending time so I came up with this parking wheeze. But obviously it's pie in the sky and wouldn't work. So back to the drawing board for me.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

So you were going with benefit fraud too. Brilliant.

I'll eat my fedora - raw - if she loses her tenancy over that.

No, I'm not frauding and never have.

My benefit claim ends at the end of this month. I have been getting universal credit up to this point because my wage is low. I work full time and declare all my earnings. Such as they are.

Yes that sounds more realistic.

That and the neighbours hating you.

Parking firms cost money and are generally arseholes. Am pretty sure that no one here would want that. Anyway I'm not going to do this now.

Is she working or going to university? Living with you still I take it, since the council tax is going up?

There's nothing wrong with charging her housekeeping, even if it's a tiny slice of her own benefits while she jobhunts.

Yes, I know I could charge her rent but this is her home! She doesn't get any benefits being the age she is. Wants to go to university next year. I dunno, I just feel like such a fuckup even to be thinking about this, it's like basic adult stuff, I should be able to fund my own home without relying on my teenage daughter for money, I'm embarrassed at the state of myself, and I'm overwhelmed about my mum, & yadda yadda

It's not "relying on your teen for money" to take a small amount from her to slightly offset the cost of heating and feeding her.

If she goes to Uni, she'll get a council tax certificate which means she doesn't count for council tax purposes.

If she goes away to Uni, you can still
Keep a bedroom for her for as long as her course lasts and not fall victim to bedroom tax.

Why don't you get a proper advice session from somewhere to go through all the little bits that might help?

I do rent my own space out.

If I wanted to rent out another's space I would just obviously say I lived at x house and then create an email that says "I live at x honest" that went to me. Made up name.

App needs bank account to pay me -Parker doesn't know that. But maybe I could give a friends so name means nothing to the true owner. Mobile number -just use a virtual one or "burner" phone.

So yes if owner complained the app would remove the listing but they wouldn't know it was me. Abs doubt app would pursue anyone legally unless owner sued them somehow?

Tax wise, it's reportable but you also get £1000 tax free allowance for rental income so £80 per month ish is fine.

No proof was needed when I rented mine out (I just had to agree I had the right to do it)

Deeds wouldn't show I had the right anyway -I could be both owner and rented it to a tenant, therefore it would be theirs to rent out or use during that rental period.

@JeandeServiette thank you so much this is the kind of advice I need.

She's not planning to go to university this year though, she's planning to go next year. She's predicted A A A* A in her A levels but she fucked up the exam you have to do for Oxford/imperial. She wants to retake that and apply again with hopefully good grades. If she was in a normal house where people could pay rent/mortgage from their wages that wouldn't be an issue but sadly she lives with her fuckup mother who can't, even though I work full time.

Dunno what happened to the formatting. She's predicted 3 A stars and an A. She's pretty bright.

If you're a carer for your mum the apy for carer's allowance or carers credit, depends on the hours you work which one you're eligible for.

Thanks 🙏 I don't think I can claim that because I'm working full time, but thank you

You're not a fuck up. The economy is what's fucked up. Anyone in full time work should be able to afford to live. It's disgusting that you're under this financial pressure.

So your DD (who is doing brilliantly and doesn't sound like the child of a fuck up) is looking at a year after A-levels to resit her MAT or CAT or whatever paper it is? She should be able to work part time for a year then?

The Carers element that's part of UC is payable even if you are in full time work and there's no earning limit on it like there is for Carers allowance. So claim that today, and have a very careful look to see if that is enough to keep you on a low UC award once your DD comes off it.

Going back to your rental idea, check if your tenancy lets you sublet a room. Obviously your DD will still want it in the holidays, but maybe you could air bnb it when she's not using it? Pack all her stuff into a lockable cupboard and do it that way? Rental income is ignored for UC (if you do continue to qualify) and the first 8 or 9 thousand pounds of rental income each year is untaxed. Lots of social landlords began to allow lodgers when the bedroom tax came in.

If anything else occurs to me, I'll pop back, but do try to get a CAB appointment.