Secure car storage in a rented yard or unit
Rent a secure yard or lock-up space and let car owners store vehicles by the month.
- £10k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
8,700 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 52103 “Operation of warehousing and storage facilities for land transport activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You lease a fenced yard, garage block or industrial unit, make it secure, and rent out parking or storage bays to people who need their cars kept safe for weeks or months.
Your first three steps
- Search for local yards, garage blocks or units to lease and compare what storage prices nearby customers pay
- Check with the landlord and your council that storage use is allowed on the site, and get quotes for fencing, lighting and CCTV
- Set up a simple storage agreement, get insurance quotes, and advertise on local listings and classic car clubs
Who pays
Classic car owners, people working or living abroad for a time, motorhome and caravan owners, and local residents with no off-street parking.
How it makes money
Monthly rent per space, with higher prices for covered or indoor bays. Extras such as battery trickle charging or occasional engine starts can add income.
Skills that help
- Property and lease negotiation
- Basic bookkeeping
- Customer service
- Organising bookings and payments
Watch out for
- Planning permission or change of use: check with your council before you sign a lease
- Business insurance covering customers' vehicles in your care, not just public liability
- Lease terms, rent reviews and break clauses
- Business rates on commercial premises
- Fire risk, fuel and battery safety on site
- A clear written agreement about who is responsible for damage, theft and unpaid fees
- Upfront costs such as the lease deposit, legal fees, fencing, lighting, CCTV and surfacing can be substantial, so get quotes before committing
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: secure car storage in a rented yard or unit
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a car storage business?
Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on the lease deposit, legal fees, fencing, lighting, CCTV and surfacing. These are estimates, so get quotes before you commit to a site.
What should I check before renting a yard for car storage?
Check planning permission or change of use with your council before you sign a lease. Also check lease terms, rent reviews and break clauses, business rates, fire, fuel and battery safety, and insurance that covers customers' vehicles in your care.
How much revenue can a car storage yard make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £4,000, depending on the number of bays you fill and your pricing. A clear written agreement should cover damage, theft and unpaid fees.
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