Scots cash in on need for parking

By Claire Smith
Published on 15/07/2012 00:00

IT’S either an empty space or an earning opportunity. Homeowners in Scotland are being encouraged to rent out their driveways to visitors.

Householders living near airports and city centres can earn thousands of pounds every year by letting drivers park outside their homes.

The company behind the trend says business is booming north of the Border, and it is 
expecting a surge of new customers for the Edinburgh arts festivals when the numbers of cars in the capital can increase by as much as 50 per cent.

Fees for spaces offered by 
parkatmyhouse.com typically range between £5 and £20 a day, depending on the area. The UK-wide business now has 150,000 customers and offers more than 60,000 parking spaces, including around 300 in Edinburgh and 300 in Glasgow.

One homeowner who uses the company to hire out her drive is management accountant Seonaid Reid. “It is really easy,” she said. “I am often away from home, so I have set up an honesty box and it works fine.” Reid, who charges her driveway guests £5 a day, has earned several hundred pounds since signing up and is always fully booked during the Edinburgh Fringe. This year she has decided to donate her earnings to the RNLI.