skip to main content

Household Finances

Garage Rental

23 years ago

Have a detached, two-car garage and I'm thinking about renting half of it. If any of you do this, do you charge by square footage, comparable storage rates in the area, or use other factors to determine rental fee? Do you and/or how often do you raise the rent, and if so by how much? Only plan to rent the space for storage only - not as a workshop.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

mariend
23 years ago
Are you in a safe area to do this. I would not do it unless I personally knew the person/people. You never know what people put in storage. Would this person come and go as they wish and would your stuff be in the other half. Also you might check with your insurance company because of the liability.
Marie
cowboyind
23 years ago
Yes, I'd want to think over the potential problems with what someone could put in there, and also the possibility of them coming and going at odd times, leaving the door unlocked and exposing you to having your own stuff stolen, etc.

To fix a rate, check with "mini-warehouse" places in your area and see what they charge for a storage facility that has roughly the same square footage as what you're going to be renting out.

Ken
Related Discussions
Bid on new rental - better for me
Q
Comments (15)
Thank you. I will be posting pics and measurements of the house if I get it. I know I will have to juggle some of the larger art pieces for sure. My largest piece - that print of The Palm House - may have to move to living room rather than the dining room. We shall see. I will have a covered patio at this next place although it looks a bit smaller but my 3 sunshades will make it very cozy. And I have to decide if I want to keep my dark green patio table and chairs. They would have to sit out on the rocks in the backyard. And I will have some window challenges where one window is centered in back wall with patio door taking up left side corner. I may have to think about how that will work. Right now the window has blinds and I will use my dining room drapes from Penneys and maybe buy more to cover adjacent patio doors. I am counting my chickens before they hatched. Ok, Eileen, stop decorating now. My friend back in WI thinks I should try to stay where I am since moving is stressful. But for me it will be another decorating and arranging adventure and help keep my mind off the chemo struggles I am going through. I think I may have to get off this oxaliplatin drug before it destroys my fine motor skills like drawing, sewing, and working on the computer. I will let you know what doctor says next time. My present rental house is very close to a major highway (although I do not hear the traffic) but whenever there is some accident or robbery or whatever the helicopters are flying over the house. I won't miss that. It makes me feel that I am being chased or that someone will start shooting. I watch too many cop shows and movies with chase scenes, I guess. Thank you all!!!!! And I look forward to our next decorating adventure!!!! Eileen
...See More
Insurance on a Rental House
Q
Comments (9)
It's a sign of the times. More than likely the property will be coming up for renewal shortly and my guess is your company has had it's share of losses in the rental properties as well as primary residences. Insurance companies are going out and inspecting property's to reduce their risk for loss. Tree branches over a roof and gutters are a risk. High winds will snap the branches and can do damage to the roof and gutters. As a non owner occupied property the tenant does not have the same interest in your property as you do, damages can get worse if not attended to right away. The peeling paint, yes it a pride of ownership issue and generally not difficult to get around.
...See More
Converting Garage to gain more livable space
Q
Comments (80)
^In both plans immedialy above, you could change the swing on the front door so you have a better view at the entry. You could also put up a small wall, half or full, to get that foyer entry. Something interesting.
...See More
screened in porch
Q
Comments (18)
In the South, a screened porch would be essential to me if I wanted to spend any time outside. Even in New Jersey, where my aunts lived, the only way to be outside in the summer and not be devoured was by sitting in their three season room aka screen porch :--) It looks as though there is a significantly larger house next to you so I am assuming this is in an area that is in high demand. I am located in Los Angeles where homes located in desirable locations are essentially either torn down or remodeled down to the stud with additions - there are certain benefits in Los Angeles by remodeling within the original footprint. I do second getting a good architect in to design the best use of the space as well as speaking to a knowledgable realtor regarding what the comps support for your neighborhood.
...See More
joyfulguy
22 years ago
Adnemra/Choufleur,

Perhaps, if you have time and there are some other garages near you, check with the owners to find whether someone has rented theirs, what fee they charged, what their experiences were, etc.

Your rental fee will be substantially influenced by the fact that you are only renting half and can't offer sole access.

Have you considered building a partition down the middle? If considering it, is there a window that would give light in each side during the day? Are there two doors, to allow each user private access?

You might be able to recover the cost of building the partition (plus window and door, if required) from the extra fee that you could charge by offering sole access to the renter's portion. Plus interest on your cost of contruction during the period until it was all repaid.

You might consider that this would take so long that the construction was not worth the trouble.

Further - if you were to change your plans and use the whole garage yourself at a later date - not only might you have not recovered the full cost of the construction - but the wall might be in your way and you end up several years from now wishing that it were not there (or removing it).

Just some ideas to consider.

Good wishes with your quest.

joyful guy

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Personal Spaces: Ideas for Making a Rental Your Own

By Laura Gaskill

Think creatively — and kiss your landlord if he or she allows you to paint those bare walls

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Making Over a Rental for About $1,500

By Becky Harris

Fresh paint, new hardware, added storage, rugs and unexpected touches breathe new life into a Los Angeles apartment’s kitchen

RUSTIC STYLE 10 Cabin Rental Basics for City Slickers

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Stay warm, dry and safe while you’re enjoying winter cabin life with this valuable advice

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD My Houzz: Family’s Lively Style Energizes a Beige Rental

By Lisa Atkinson Photographer

Colorful art, mementos and thrift store finds turn a plain-vanilla Australian house into a family home

SMALL HOMES My Houzz: Cool Monochrome Vibes and DIY Touches in a Rental

By Corynne Pless

L.A. apartment dwellers work colorful prints and keepsakes into their thoughtfully decorated 750-square-foot home

TRAVEL BY DESIGN 7 Romantic Vacation Rentals Built of Stone

By Mitchell Parker

Tuscany is calling. Or maybe England or even Texas. See if one of these enchanting gems has your traveling spirit's number

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: An Urban Oasis in a Converted Loft

By Caela McKeever

An unassuming former garage is home to a tranquil gem of a rental in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood

HOUSEKEEPING 7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Garage

By Laura Gaskill

Stop fearing that dirty dumping ground and start using it as the streamlined garage you’ve been wanting

SMALL SPACES From Falling-Down Garage to Tidy Guest Quarters

By Karen Egly-Thompson

An unneeded structure makes way for a compact, economical cottage as part of a backyard overhaul in California

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Two Floors With a Daycare in a Toronto Victorian

By Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

Custom carpentry and an eye for antiques turn a rental apartment into a home that's like a hug

Sponsored

Mary Shipley Interiors

34 Reviews

Columbus OH Premier Interior Designer 10x Best of Houzz