Renting out your garage as a private owner: from empty box to monthly income

Why your empty garage costs money instead of earning it

A garage box that is not being used is not a neutral asset. That box costs you money. You pay municipal taxes and syndic fees if it is part of an apartment building. From our experience, most owners do not realise that their empty parking space is a monthly expense rather than a source of income.

At the same time, parking pressure in Flemish cities increases every year. In Ghent, the paid parking zones have expanded well beyond the city centre in recent years. In Antwerp, a resident parking permit now costs more than ever. In Bruges, parking spaces in the centre are scarce and expensive. That means there is a constant demand for affordable, private parking space. Your garage can be the answer.

The return on a rented parking space sits between 4% and 8% net according to real estate experts, depending on location. That is comparable to or better than most savings products. And the best part: maintenance costs are minimal and you do not have to deal with leaking taps or complaining tenants.

On top of that, the barrier to entry is low. You do not need a renovation, no residential rental permit and no estate agent. A garage you already own is ready to rent as soon as you decide. All you need is fifteen minutes and a smartphone for the photos.

Getting your garage ready: what does a renter expect?

Before you look for a renter, your garage needs to be ready. That sounds obvious, but many owners underestimate this step. A renter expects a clean, well-lit space where a car can be parked safely. That is the baseline.

Start by clearing out. Remove everything that does not belong. Old bicycles, boxes, garden tools. A cluttered garage does not rent. Next, check the lighting. A single bulb that barely works scares renters away. Invest in a bright LED ceiling light. That costs less than twenty euros and makes a world of difference in the first impression.

Check that the lock works properly. A renter wants to know their car is safe. If your garage has an automatic door, make sure the remote control functions reliably. Take photos of the current state of the garage: the walls, the floor, the door. That protects both you and the renter at the start and end of the rental period.

Based on our booking data, garages with good photos get rented up to 40% faster than listings with dark or unclear images. Invest five minutes in taking bright photos in daylight. Open the garage door, let the light in and photograph from multiple angles.

Publishing your listing: the first step towards renters

Your garage is ready. Now you need to reach renters. The fastest way is to create an online listing. Via SparkSpot you can publish your parking space in a few minutes. You add photos, set your availability and decide your own price.

A good listing contains at least four elements. First: clear photos of the garage, inside and outside. Second: the exact location, including the street and the distance to the city centre or a major landmark. Third: availability. Is your garage available all week, or only during the day while you are at work? Fourth: the price. Be realistic. Check what a day ticket or a monthly subscription costs at the nearest public car park and position your price just below that.

A concrete tip: mention in your description whether the garage fits an SUV or a delivery van. Many renters drive larger vehicles and filter by size. A garage with a height of more than two metres is a plus that you should explicitly mention.

What can you earn per city?

The income depends on three factors: location, type of space and availability. A garage box in the centre of Ghent earns considerably more than a driveway in the suburbs.

In Bruges, monthly rates for a garage box in or near the centre range between 80 and 150 euros per month. Demand here is highest due to the limited parking space in the old town and the high level of tourism. In Ghent we see comparable rates in the neighbourhoods around Zuidpark, Blaarmeersen and Gent-Sint-Pieters station, with monthly amounts between 70 and 130 euros.

In Antwerp, the spread is wider. Garages near Het Eilandje, the Meir or Central Station are the most sought after, with prices going up to 120 euros per month. On the outskirts the prices are lower, around 50 to 80 euros. In Hasselt and Leuven the market is smaller but growing, with monthly rates of 40 to 90 euros for a well-located garage box.

Our hosts in Bruges report that their average occupancy rate sits above 85%. That means a garage box at 100 euros per month earns you more than 1,000 euros net on an annual basis, after deducting any costs. That is passive income in its purest form.

Flexible or fixed rental: what suits you?

You have two options. Fixed rental means you have a steady renter who pays every month. That gives certainty and requires minimal effort. Flexible rental means you rent out per day or per week to changing renters. That potentially earns more, but requires slightly more management.

Fixed rental suits owners who want maximum peace of mind. You agree on an amount, the renter pays monthly and you have nothing further to worry about. This model works best in cities with constant demand, such as Bruges and Ghent.

Flexible rental is more interesting if your garage is near an event venue, a hospital, a university or a station. Visitors, students and commuters often book per day or per week. The daily rate is higher than the monthly rate calculated per day, but you may have periods without a renter.

The smartest approach: combine both. Rent fixed from Monday to Friday to a commuter and keep the weekend free for flexible bookings. That way you maximise your income without extra effort.

A third model is gaining popularity: seasonal rental. Owners in coastal towns such as Blankenberge and Knokke-Heist rent their garage only during the summer months, when parking pressure from tourists peaks. In July and August daily rates are considerably higher than in the off-season. Outside of summer they simply use the garage themselves.

How other owners do it: three examples

In Bruges, an owner rents his garage box two hundred metres from the Markt to tourists spending a weekend in the city. He charges 15 euros per day and has an average occupancy of five days per week. That earns him more than 300 euros per month, without having to do anything beyond keeping his listing up to date.

In Ghent, a couple rents their double garage to a commuter family that drives from Aalst to Ghent every working day. Fixed price: 95 euros per month. The renter saves on the expensive car parks near UZ Gent, and the couple has a fixed amount coming in every month. Everyone happy.

In Antwerp, an apartment owner near the Sportpaleis makes his parking space available during concerts and sporting events. On evenings with major events he charges 20 euros per evening. With an average of eight events per month, that is 160 euros on top of his fixed weekday rental. A clever combination of fixed and flexible.

Common mistakes when renting out your garage

The most common mistake is setting the price too high. Many owners overestimate the value of their garage and price it above the market rate. The result: no bookings and an empty garage. Always check what parking costs in your area and position your price just below that.

A second mistake is poor communication. Renters ask questions about the exact location, the height of the garage or accessibility. If you do not respond quickly, they choose another offer. Set up notifications on your phone so you do not miss a request.

The third mistake is forgetting to update your calendar. Double bookings are frustrating for renters and damaging to your reputation. Use a digital system that automatically tracks your availability.

5 tips to attract more renters

Tip one: respond quickly to requests. Renters almost always choose the first owner who replies. A response time of less than one hour significantly increases your chance of a booking.

Tip two: keep your calendar up to date. Nothing is more frustrating for a renter than a garage that looks available but is not. Block dates when you need the space yourself.

Tip three: ask for a review after the first rental period. Positive ratings act as a magnet for new renters. People rely on the experience of others, especially when it comes to a place where they leave their car.

Tip four: add a description of the neighbourhood. Mention the distance to the centre, the nearest public transport and the on-street parking rates. That gives renters context and makes your listing more attractive.

Tip five: consider installing an EV charging point. The number of electric vehicles in Belgium is growing fast. According to the Belgian Automotive Association, the share of fully electric cars in new registrations rose to more than 25% in 2025. A garage with a charging point is a premium offering that can increase your price by 20 to 30%. The investment in a home charger starts at around 700 euros and pays for itself within a year thanks to the higher rental price.

In summary: renting out your garage is easier than you think

An empty garage is a missed opportunity. The steps are straightforward: prepare the space, take good photos, publish your listing and welcome your first renter. The market is there: parking pressure in Flemish cities is increasing and demand for affordable private parking space is growing. With an investment of at most one hour you turn your unused space into a stable source of income. Whether you have a single garage box or multiple parking spaces in an apartment building: every unused square metre counts. Start today via sparkspot.be.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I earn by renting out my garage?

That depends on the city and the location. In Bruges and Ghent you can expect 80 to 150 euros per month for a well-located garage box. In Antwerp the range is between 50 and 120 euros, depending on the neighbourhood. On an annual basis that is a passive income of 600 to 1,800 euros.

Do I need a contract to rent out my parking space?

A written agreement is always wise, even for short rental periods. Document the rental price, the duration and the notice period. That protects both parties and prevents misunderstandings. An online booking system handles this automatically for you.

Can I rent out my garage if I live in an apartment building?

In most cases yes, but check the statutes of your co-ownership. Some buildings have restrictions on renting to third parties. Consult your building manager if in doubt. In practice, most building managers give the green light as long as the renter only parks and respects the communal areas.

What if my garage is too small for a large car?

Not every renter drives an SUV or a large family car. City cars, scooters and motorcycles fit in most garages without any problem. Include the exact interior dimensions in your listing so renters can judge for themselves whether their vehicle fits. A smaller garage in the centre is often worth more than a large box on the edge of the city. Also keep in mind that cyclists and cargo bike owners in major cities are increasingly looking for a safe storage spot, especially in cities where bicycle theft is a problem.