Garage rental

You can apply to rent a garage in Southwark for vehicle parking or storage.

More information

You can rent a garage from us to store your vehicle or to get extra storage space for your belongings. Our rates are competitive, and all our garages are clean, secure and dry. 

The average garage is 12 feet (3.6 metres) long by 8 feet (2.4 metres) wide, but the size varies. We can confirm the actual size of the garage at the viewing stage.

You have 24 hour access to your rented garage. They are mostly located near train stations, Tube stations and bus routes within Southwark. 

Garage locations

When you apply for a garage, you can tell us what area you would like the garage to be in.

Find garage locations on Southwark Maps (opens new window)

In Southwark Maps you can search for garages (by road, block estate name, or postcode) by using the search bar on the top left of the screen.

The Garage Waiting List Area (GWA) will be shown as a green shape and if you click on it, a list of all the blocks within the area will appear.

You can also scan the map, zoom in and click on any of the areas to see a list of all the blocks within the area.

If you note your preferred area you can choose it from the drop-down list when you complete the application form.

Apply to rent a garage

You can apply to rent a garage using the online form below. This will add your details to our waiting list.

Apply to rent a garage

You will be allocated a garage based on area, and also on our priority list.

You will not be eligible for a garage if you currently owe money to the council, such as Council Tax, housing rent or service charge arrears, or if you have owed money for a garage in the last 2 years. 

It's important to let us know if your details change while you're waiting for a garage, by completing this online form

We will contact you to offer you a garage when one becomes available. You will be sent details of the garage and a template of your Garage Licence Agreement. 

View a sample Garage Licence Agreement (PDF, 153kb)

You will be invited to view the garage and check you are happy with it. While at the garage, you will complete your paperwork. The council officer will help you make the initial payment via our secure automated payment phone line.

We will ask to see your passport or full driver’s licence, as proof of identification. We will also ask to see a utility bill dated in the last three months, as proof of your address. You could provide a bill for electricity, gas, water or TV licence.

When you sign up for a garage, you must pay six weeks of rent in advance. After that, your rent is due each week in advance. Your account must be maintained in credit or with a zero balance at all times.

If you change your name or address while renting a garage, you must inform us as soon as possible. If you don’t, we may not be able to reach you with important updates.

You can contact us about a change of name or address by completing this online form.

Garage rent periods and prices

There is a minimum rental period of 12 weeks, with six weeks of rent due in advance at sign-up. The rental price rates are listed below.

For details on how to make your rental payments, visit our Garage Rental Payments and Refunds page.

For details on what happens if you do not make your rental payments, visit our Non-Payment of Garage Rental page.

The formula to work out the monthly figure for 2024/2025 is as follows:

Total weekly (relevant rent plus additional charge if applicable) x 53 divided by 12

Standard rate: £24.70 per week.

This applies if you are a:

  • secure council tenant paying rent directly to Southwark Council for your main home address
  • leaseholder paying service charges directly to Southwark Council for your main home address
  • freeholder paying service charges directly to Southwark Council for your main home address

In order to receive the standard rate, you must be a named person on the home rent or service charge account and living in the property you are applying from. 

Concessionary rate: £19.70 per week.

This applies if you are eligible for the standard rate and you are any of the following:

  • registered as disabled with a mobility allowance for transport
  • over 70 years of age
  • a Blue Badge owner
The concessionary rate is limited to one per household.

You can apply for the concessionary rate using the online form below.

Apply for the concessionary rate

Private rate: £45.30 per week

This applies to everyone not listed above.

Extra weekly service charges

There are extra weekly service charges that may apply on some garage units:

  • £6.20 if there is more space than the average garage
  • £6.20 if there is extra parking outside the garage
  • £0.50 if there is a water tap near the garage

Details of extra service charges will be outlined in your Garage Licence Agreement.

Insurance and maintenance

If you rent one of our garages, you should have contents insurance for your garage. Our buildings insurance will not cover damage or loss to your vehicle or other belongings.

You must not commit any action likely to invalidate our buildings insurance. Your Garage Licence Agreement will provide full details.

Ending a garage licence

If you want to end your garage licence, you need to give us two full weeks’ notice. You can apply to end the licence using the online form below.

End your garage licence

You must leave your garage clean, clear and secure. Failure to do so will incur additional costs.

You also need to clear any outstanding arrears on your garage rent account. If you don't clear your debt after termination, we may add additional charges or take legal action in the county court. Find out more on our non-payment of garage rental page.

You will need to return your garage keys and any gate keys by the end of the two-week period to the address below:

Garages
Homeownership services
PO Box 76378
London
SE1P 6HY

Keys must be labelled with your garage account number and your reference number starting with HF.

You will still be liable for rent if we do not receive the keys.

If we do not receive your keys before the two-week period ends, we will change the locks. If you expect the keys to arrive with us after two weeks, email the Garages Team at hsg.homeownership@southwark.gov.uk so they know to expect the keys.

Request parking outside a garage (Aylesbury Estate only)

If your garage is on the Aylesbury Estate you can apply for parking outside your designated garage using the form below. 

Apply for parking outside your garage (Aylesbury Estate only)

Bike lockers

There are two types of lockable bike storage available through us:

  • bike lockers are tall rectangular storage units
  • cycle hangars are curved storage units

The Garages Team manage the bike lockers but not the cycle hangars. Please note the waiting list for bike lockers is closed until the 1st April 2024. We'll also not be allocating any bike lockers until further notice.

Contact us about bike lockers using the form below.

Ask a question about your bike locker

You can find out more about cycle hangars on the cycle parking and security page. 

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