Secure car storage yard or shed

Collectors, people between homes or overseas, businesses with spare vehicles, car clubs, and apartment dwellers without parking.

Monthly fee per bay, with different prices for indoor and outdoor spaces. Extras can include battery tenders, wash and detail, or short-term rates.

• Basic property and lease management
• Customer service
• Organising bookings and payments

• Zoning and council approval for vehicle storage on the site, and whether the lease permits it
• Insurance for the building contents, public liability and customers' vehicles, so check what a bailee or storage policy needs to cover
• Fire safety rules and limits on fuel, batteries and electrical work, which vary by state
• Security risks such as theft and break-ins, and whether the lease lets you add fencing, gates and cameras
• Empty bays while you build up customers, since the rent is due either way
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold, and workers compensation insurance if you hire staff

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the site you lease, and what you spend on fencing, gates, lighting, cameras and marking out bays.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many bays you fill and your pricing. Empty bays while you build customers still cost rent. Allow at least about 8 hours a week.

Check zoning and council approval for vehicle storage, and whether your lease permits it. Also check insurance for contents, public liability and customers' vehicles, fire safety limits on fuel, batteries and electrical work, and security.